Saturday, February 01, 2020

Movie review - "Stoner" (1974) **

The movie George Lazenby made in Hong Kong instead of one with Bruce Lee (which would have been Game of Death). It is of some interest especially as he plays an Australian (well, we meet him driving over the Harbour Bridge) who goes to Hong Kong to investigate the death of his sister in a weird sex cult - the reverse of Man from Hong Kong. Only this film doesn't have any of that film's culture clash.

It's an odd movie - feels made up as it went along. In addition to Lazenby investigating there's also Angela Mao investigating (her part is as big as Lazenby's but they rarely cross) and the cult gives it a Fu Manchu feeling. Lazenby beds a few babes and shaves his moustache off half way through. He was a good on screen fighter but it doesn't quite feel realistic that he can beat off these kung fu henchmen who attack him. Samo Hung is in it.

Still, it's definitely of interest, particularly as it offers Lazenby a rare lead role, even if he does have to share it with Angelo Mao.

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