Film Name: 飞龙猛将 / Dragons Forever / 飛龍猛將
I honestly don’t understand why this late-80s film has such a low rating, because it marks the final collective appearance of the Yuen Brothers’ crew. Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao—the trio who started with Project A—had honed their chemistry to perfection by this film. They never collaborated again after this. From this film onward, Jackie took off—Police Story, Big Brawl, Who Am I?—racing through the entire 90s all the way to Hollywood, cementing his status in the industry. Sammo gradually moved behind the scenes, while Yuen Biao remained consistently low-key. This film is essentially a reunion of the trio during their prime.
Jackie plays himself: a straight-laced old rogue, a womanizing lawyer who mirrors his real-life persona. Sammo delivers his signature role as a smooth-talking con artist, yet with a touch of romanticism. Yuen Biao plays a cynical, agile, and mentally quirky social misfit. Thus, this chaotic stew blending drama, urban comedy, and action became a watershed moment for Hong Kong cinema. Before this, wacky comedies and action scenes reigned supreme—A Better Tomorrow, the Hui brothers, and the Yuen team were at their peak. By the 90s, the scene exploded with bizarre films, zombies, Wong Fei-hung, police dramas, Young and Dangerous, Stephen Chow, God of Gamblers—a riot of creativity. Yet urban action comedies that were both hilarious and action-packed became rare.
Thus, this film echoes countless others.
Drug labs polluting fish ponds with toxic waste. Remove the drug-making angle, and it’s pure environmental commentary. It reminds me of something—yes, The Mermaid.
Sammo Hung’s date with Deanie Ip is truly iconic. The scene where they shout at each other through megaphones instantly outshines most modern urban romance films.
The accidental encounter between the three in the room? Needless to say, it’s too classic. Countless films have copied it since—Jackie Chan’s Miracle immediately comes to mind.
Jackie’s motorcycle scene is pure magic—how many Hong Kong films later copied those cruising sequences?
Jackie carefully carries a huge salad platter to the heroine like it’s a bouquet of flowers, then immediately scoops a huge dollop with his spoon. Pure, unadulterated beauty.
When Fat Sam suddenly breaks into “Kangding Love Song” and awkwardly dances, it’s surprisingly not cringey or jarring—just a knowing smile.
Yuen Biao’s goldfish in a tube, forced to swim forward relentlessly, had a surprisingly sci-fi quality. And his long rant about cynicism? That’s the voice of us underdogs, isn’t it?
Jackie and the female lead by a wrecked boat on the beach, lighting a bonfire, chasing each other shouting “Hit me! Hit me!”—utterly iconic.
The action sequences speak for themselves. Directed by Sammo Hung, they carry the signature intensity of the Hung Gar style—every punch lands with brutal impact, making you wince. Even the scene where Yuen Wah takes on the female lead is rare in action films. Many iconic 90s villains—Billy Chow, Yuen Wah, that boss with no eyelashes—only get brief moments to shine in the fights.
The most spectacular moments, however, belong to the three brothers’ fight scenes. Years of seamless coordination made their exchanges fluid and effortless, truly a sight to behold. The absolute highlight is when the trio brawls outside the female lead’s door—punching, tripping, tumbling, and reveling in the chaos. They managed to craft an entire three-way fight sequence. Here, Sammo Hung’s raw power, Jackie Chan’s acrobatic flair, and Yuen Biao’s lightness each shine with distinct styles—truly a rare gem of action cinema.
When Jackie Chan finally fights alone, revealing his chiseled muscles, it makes us believe his decades of success aren’t built on empty hype. It’s the real deal—hard-earned, genuine martial prowess.
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