Directed By: Robert Samuels, Robert Jefferson
Edited By and Story By: Robert Samuels, Robert Jefferson
Executive Producers: Tayari Casel, James V.Santi, Mark V.Wiley
Action By: Robert Samuels
Cast: Andre Duza, Sharif Bey, Robert Samuels
Homage To The Old School
Calling all Kung Fu fans, Robert Samuels and Robert Jefferson are back with their latest offering “Shadow Fist“. The inspiration behind Shadow Fist came from the love of the old School Kung Fu movie Fist And Guts , from legendary film company Shaw Brothers, starring Gordon Liu and Directed by Lau Kar Wing.
Shadow Fist opens with the R4 Films Logo in the style of Shaw Brothers, followed by a dark backdrop with the actors portraying there Martial Art styles and weapon work. This is something you would see quiet alot in the 1970's, allowing the actors to showcase themselves to the audience before the movie begins. After the opening credits we are taken straight into the fight scenes with Andre Duza and Robert Samuels stepping into frame, masked up and ready to thrown down. Both actors really get to shine here, performing some fantastic hand to hand combat showcasing Snake Fist, Tiger, Hung Gar, Wing Chun “Sticky Hands” and more. The music really builds up the tension, making you sit at the edge of your seat, blown away by the Martial Art skills of both performers with some slick camera work, capturing every move with some great editing.
During the fight sequence, we get to see another charater enter the frame known as “Iron Bridge Chen”, played by Sharif Bey. The sequence quicky turns into a three way fight and this is where the fight choreography and camera work really comes into play. “Iron Bridge Chen” (Sharif Bey) really comes across like a boss, stepping in and just quickly dismantling Tiger Lu (Andre Duza) with some heavy punches to the body and a quick death. This sets the final fight sequence up nicely, showcasing Chens Kung Fu skills and power and that it will be a tough match for “Dragon Chen” (Robert Samuels) to over come.
Massive credit must go to Robert Samuels for the fight choreography. R4 Films normally bring in some action directors to help with there projects, but this time Robert takes the helm and delivers a knockout punch with Shadow Fist. I have to give massive credit also to the editing of the fight scenes and the directing overall by both Robert Jefferson and Robert Samuels, some of the best work i have seem from them, using wide angles to show the audience the movements and close up shots of the hand and leg techniques.
Final Verdict
I love everything about Shadow Fist, being a huge fan of old school kung fu movies myself, this really brings back those feelings of anticipation from the moment the Logo appears with the music until the final kick is landed. Shadow Fist only runs for around 6 minutes, this is something both Robert Samuels and Robert Jefferson want to continue, to bring the old school feel back to our screens which we all sorely miss. Shadow Fist is available on the R4 Films Youtube channel,
