By the time 1994 came around, Hong Kong cinema had mastered the art of Wire Fu. Ching Siu Tung changed how this genre of wuxia had been portrayed on film with the classic A Chinese Ghost Story (ably assisted by producer Tsui Hark), Jet Li with his stints as both Wong Feu Hung and Fong Sai Yuk in the Once Upon a Time in China series and Fong Sai Yuk films respectively, and Yuen Woo Ping was setting new standards for his already legendary status with the likes of Iron Monkey and Tai Chi Master.
Into this swirling world of wire-assisted flights and fights steps a director more synonymous with the more grounded heroic bloodshed genre, with such classics as City on Fire, Prison on Fire and School on Fire, along with the Simon Yam Vs Chow Yun Fat masterpiece that is Full Contact. In came Ringo Lam.
One thing that Ringo Lam always delivers is high-octane action. With action choreography being handled by Lee Kin Sang (who had been an actor in such classics as Police Story, Eastern Condors and Project A, usually as bit parts), and the great Tsui Hark (again) acting as producer, Burning Paradise ticked all the boxes that make this period of 90s HK Wuxia cinema so exciting.
“it (even) works as an introduction to the genre, but when compared to the likes of Once Upon A Time In China II or Swordsman II, Burning Paradise’s light that burns so bright when alone, dims considerably on the brilliance of others.
Burning Paradise is a great film, however, it came at a time when being just “great” wasn’t enough, you had to be spectacular. Films like Deadful Melody and Fire Dragon (both starring Brigitte Lin) were released the same year and met similar fates, great films that deliver on all aspects, but never get over on the wow factor because the company it kept was always that bit better.
This is why now is the perfect time to rediscover Burning Paradise. From its single location for the majority of the film (The Red Lotus Temple, a regular fixture in Wuxia cinema dating back to 1928) to the excellent fights, Burning Paradise deserves its time in the sun. It lacks the big names of similar productions, and whilst Willie Chi is no Jet Li in the role of Fong Sai Yuk, he does have enough presence to make the time we spend with his take on this classic character more than worthwhile.
Burning Paradise is also very indicative of its time. It manages to mix incredible action set pieces with that silly brand of humour that courses through the veins of many of these films (also see New Dragon Gate Inn and The Swordsman), and maybe that could be the biggest sin Burning Paradise commits, that it never really sets itself apart in any way. For anyone already invested in this period of HK cinema, this will come as a welcome entry, it even works as an introduction to the genre, but when compared to the likes of Once Upon A Time In China II or Swordsman II, Burning Paradise’s light that burns so bright when alone, dims considerably on the brilliance of others. However, never let it be said that it is a bad film, because nothing could be further from the truth.
With a top-notch commentary from Frank Djeng, a revealing interview with the legendary Tsui Hark and a limited booklet in the first print run (2000 copies), Burning Paradise may not be the essential purchase that many similar films have become, but it is a great pick-up for those that prefer their Fu with a lot more Wire.
Burning Paradise is out now on Eureka Blu-Ray
Ben’s Archive: Burning Paradise
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