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"DEADFUL MELODY is an above average Wuxia picture, thanks mostly to the efforts of the cast and the imaginative fantasy sequences. This picture has everything that makes these pictures enthralling: flying heroes and villains, over-the-top Kung Fu combat, beautiful Asian women in colorful historical wardrobe, and a high level of violence. DEADFUL MELODY escapes mediocrity thanks to Brigitte Lin, Yuen Biao, and Wu Ma."- Tony Mustafa
Yuen Biao at his most charming.

With Carina Lau...
I think they have terrific screen chemistry in this film! She seems a better match for Biao's comedic talents than any other actress that he's worked with.
Here's the rest of Tony's review:
"In ancient China, a group of martial arts masters team up to steal a magical Lyre, that corrupts the souls of those who possess it. The Lyre is also coveted because of it’s supernatural powers—a well versed musician can release the power of the Lyre in a great destructive force. The allied masters and their soldiers Pearl Harbor the home of the man who guards the Lyre. The evil masters attack the man’s family, resulting in the death of everyone except for his son, Lui Lun, and his older sister, Snow, who escapes with the Lyre. Years later, Snow (now an adult played by Brigitte Lin) is a lethal practitioner of the martial arts, who has mastered the powers of the Lyre. She puts into effect her plan to strike back at those martial arts masters who destroyed her family. Lui Lun (Yuen Biao) is also fully grown, and well-versed in Kung Fu, but he has no idea that his parents were murdered, as he was adopted by a wise man who owns an escort (bodyguard/protector) agency. Snow entangles her brother [the familial relationship is unknown to both] in her plot to gain revenge when she hires him to transport the Lyre across treacherous terrain, where bandits and enemies threaten to steal the instrument of doom. Meanwhile, the alliance of power-hungry masters (who are her targets) convince the citizens that she is a witch. Even her brother Lui Lun believes she is a witch and promises to kill her. Finally, a friendly Monk [Chan Lung] informs Lui Lun the truth about his family. Naturally, he is shattered and changes his opinion of his renegade sister. In order to save their collective skins, the alliance of old masters set a trap for her. Lui Lun and Snow must team up if they are to defeat the overwhelming odds against them.
At the center of DEADFUL MELODY is an ensemble action/drama, with some decent character development and performances. Though the light tone hurts the integrity and epic scope of the film, it does allow for some added depth to the characters. For instance, we witness the evolution of Yuen Biao’s arrogant, humorous personae to a fully enlightened individual. In the beginning, he is ambitious and headstrong - seeking to gain his father’s respected position. He unknowingly comes into conflict with his equally-driven sister and declares her as enemy. When he discovers the truth about his real parents, he is dismayed and refuses to believe her claims. Finally, realizing that is he all alone after all, he accepts her as family. This turn of events changes his whole perspective, and soon he trying to dissuade her from going through with her mission of revenge. 'I’ve already lost my parents', he proclaims. 'I don’t want to lose what’s left of our family. Sadly, the complex character of Snow does not see it his way. These situations provide some great acting opportunities for Brigitte Lin and Yuen Biao. Hong Kong TV personality Carina Lau also fares well as Yuen Biao’s scheming love interest. Special mention must go to Wu Ma who steals every scene he is in (as the evil master called Fire). The entire cast puts forth an admirable effort that picks up the slack for the script inconsistencies, uneven pacing, and unsatisfying ending."


