The Fearless Hyena

1984 • 98 minutes

About this movie

An auteur emerges as Jackie Chan-working for the first time as director, in addition to serving as cowriter, lead actor, and martial-arts choreographer-takes full charge of his on-screen image. Perfecting the archetypal Chan character, he stars here as a rapscallion student of his martial-arts-master grandfather (Hong Kong cinema legend James Tien) who uses his kung-fu prowess to fight challengers for money-until a personal tragedy forces him to get serious. Experimenting with various lenses and camera setups, Chan maximizes the action's visual impact, while unleashing some of his most innovative fight choreography in a stunning, whirlwind display of "emotional kung fu."