18 Shaolin Golden Boys (1996)

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To Wai-tat directed this ultra-low-budget action film produced in China by Sam Po Film, a Hong Kong independent studio well-known for the abysmal quality of its cheaply made quickies. Willie Chi stars as Rocky, an American martial-arts student who leaves San Francisco for the famous Shaolin temple,… More To Wai-tat directed this ultra-low-budget action film produced in China by Sam Po Film, a Hong Kong independent studio well-known for the abysmal quality of its cheaply made quickies. Willie Chi stars as Rocky, an American martial-arts student who leaves San Francisco for the famous Shaolin temple, where he proves his kung-fu prowess by dodging the abbot's mystical laser beams -- yes, laser beams -- and performing other feats of skill. Rocky is then allowed to join the Shaolin as a student, and later helps the monks defeat a gang of thieves, led by the evil Pao (Yu Rong-guang), who wants to steal an invaluable Flying Horse statue from the temple. The film's centerpiece is a display of kung-fu acumen by the 18 juvenile monks of the title, covered in gold body makeup and exhibiting such questionable techniques as the Chastity Dynamo, which doesn't look nearly as painful as it sounds. Cherie Chan co-stars with the usual suspects including William Ho, Billy Chow, and the ubiquitous Shing Fui-on. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi