DVD Released: 2004
Approximate Running Time: 90 minutes (Shaolin Vs Ninja)
Approximate Running Time: 90 minutes (Shaolin Chastity Kung Fu)
Aspect Ratio: 4.3 Pan and Scan
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Release: Disc Plaza Entertainment
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $3.99

Shaolin vs. Ninja aka Shaolin v Ninja

Chi Jung (Alexander Lou aka Alexander Lo Rei): Is it true that Chinese people write Chinese?
Lord: Of course they do!
Chi: And Chinese Characters are written by Chinese?
Lord: Of course they are!
Chi: My lord, you can write Chinese very well. Does that make you a Chinese person?
Lord: What are you saying? You’re talking nonsense!
Chi: Kung Fu can be learned by thieves. Your solders know Kung Fu, none the less; the lord does not suspect his solders…

Set in the Ching Dynasty on Japanese territory, shaolin monks study kung fu in an extremely valuable temple that the lord yearns for. However unlike most of the commoners, the lord can’t simply take what’s in his grasp. Here in lies the problem. The emperor is indebted to chief shaolin monk Chi Jung (played by Alexander Lou) for producing an antidote that saved the emperor’s life. Knowing that Chi Jung cannot simply be bribed, the lord devises schemes to thwart the temple and to gain its riches. Between each parlay, fingers point to either side as the intrigue builds. Chi is tricked into agreeing to complete against another temple. Peace is finally achieved once an innocent monk’s murderer is finally exposed.

Shaolin vs. Ninja in another review has been called “strongly influenced” by Jet Li’s Shao Lin tzu (The Shaolin Temple – 1979). It’s campy ness, kung fu gymnastics, and poorly dubbed audio track transforms this train wreck into a white elephant. Suspend your disbelief and enjoy it for face value. Alexander Lou’s character is reminiscent to Master Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with an interesting charm. Blood spurting (a la Kill Bill) is in key scenes.

Shaolin Chastity Kung Fu

Peaceful villagers in sunset valley are attacked by odd-looking bandits known as the nine devils. As they pillage the village, their foiled by powerful shaolin monks. The Nine Devils decide to stop the village from contacting the police by concentrating patrols on the only way out. During this time, they release their big boss as prisoner, becoming an even stronger force. The big boss confides the plan to his cohorts as the village is trained kung fu by the wise shaolin abbot. The two forces eventually must face each other in a final battle.

Alexander’s character is reminiscent of Master Kan (Philip Ahn) in the Kung Fu television series without his on stage charm. The Big Boss’ performance as well as presence is much stronger than Alexander’s shaolin abbot cameo role. Action Driven, one-dimensional townspeople, and ridiculously-outfitted evildoers make the disjointed mess show like a bad Troma movie. Villagers new type of kung fu involves standing on top one another to create barriers doesn’t even look plausible. During the end of the movie, you’ll hope that both sides die in a climatic doomed genocide. This seems to be a weak effort for director Robert Tai and actor Alexander Lou to penetrate the American movie market.

The DVD:

You’ll enjoy this title like most budget titles, in glorious pan and scan with VHS quality. Faded washed out colors will surround you. There are scene selections to help you navigate and English dubbed audio tracks. Only purchase if MUST have at budget prices. Chastity Kung Fu comes out marginally better that Ninja. This movie set is perfect for those who want material with actor Alexander Lou and director Robert Tai. This budget two pack will shelve perfect, right next to Shaolin Dolemite.