Review of Bat Without Wings

Watched this right after VENGEANCE OF A SNOW GIRL. In some ways more and less fantastical than SNOW GIRL. Definitely has a nastier edge and an higher body count (including plenty of non-combatants). A fair amount of gothic sensibility, but not as much as, say, THE BLACK LIZARD. As with most of his horror tinged wu xia (which also includes THE BLACK LIZARD, FULL MOON SCIMITAR, SWORDSMAN AND ENCHANTRESS, THE WEB OF DEATH), it's a stage bound affair.

The plot is about the re-emergence of a villain thought long dead (24 of 26 heroes died defeating him) and the search for his now hidden weapons, the Bat Blades, but it's not really that simple.

The fights are fairly evenly divided between intimate 2 or 3 person affairs to group mêlées. The larger fights usually end up becoming smaller fights fairly quickly (doesn't pay to be a grunt in a wu xia). Fair amount of wire work, but acrobatics aside, the swordplay is fine.

If you like Chor Yuen you'll like this, if not, but you're willing to risk a taste, try INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN.

7/10