Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk, Nina Li Chi, Teddy Robin, Sylvia Chang, James Wong Jim, Kirk Wong Chi-Keung, Anthony Chan Yau, Alfred Cheung Kin-Ting, David Chiang (Keung Dai-Wai), Chor Yuen, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Ann Hui On-Wah, Philip Chan Yan-Kin, Tsui Hark, John Woo, Clifton Ko Chi-Sum, Wong Jing, Lau Kar-Leung, Jacob Cheung Chi-Leung, Mabel Cheung Yuen-Ting, Stephen Tung Wai, Yuen Woo-Ping, Ching Siu-Tung, Jeff Lau Chun-Wai, Jamie Luk Kin-Ming, Peter Chan Ho-Sun, Lee Chi-Ngai, Ringo Lam Ling-Tung, Gordon Chan Car-Seung, Dennis Chan Kwok-San, David Wu Dai-Wai, Fung Hak-On, Calvin Poon Yuen-Leung

It’s Double Impact without Jean-Claude Van Damme. While an unfortunate comparison, it’s nonetheless accurate since in Twin Dragons, Jackie Chan plays twins who were separated at birth - hey, just like Van Damme in Double Impact! Ma Yao (Chan) goes to America with parents Sylvia Chang and James Wong, where he grows up to be a famous composer/conductor. Meanwhile, Tramp (Chan again) remains in HK and becomes a mechanic/henchman to a lowly midget played by famous midget Teddy Robin Kwan. The Prince and the Pauper-like switch occurs when Ma Yao comes to Hong Kong for a concert. Comedy and action hijinks ensue.

While there’s an abundance of shtick that can either tickle the funny bone or annoy like hell, the real reason why anyone would watch this movie is for one thing: action. In that case the film delivers, thanks to the work of action directors Jackie Chan and Yuen Woo-Ping. The set pieces are all fun, with some good fighting and acrobatic stunt work, with some scenes going for extra cleverness because of the whole dual Chan plot device.

The comedy isn’t too bad, either—it’s just your typical Big Business/Multiplicity twinning stuff. The situation hijinks occur when the two switch women. One hooks up with club girl Maggie Cheung, while the other ends up with buxom Nina Li. Both perform admirably, and Chan manages to play two people more convincingly than The Muscles from Brussels ever could.

You can’t really see Tsui Hark or Ringo Lam in any part of the film’s directorial style, but this film was never meant to be part of their official filmographies. Twin Dragons was actually made as a benefit to the HK Director’s Guild, which explains the sheer abundance of HK directors, from UFO guys Peter Chan and Jacob Cheung to John Woo, Ann Hui and Kirk Wong, who gets the big part as bad guy Keung. This is not a film that’s necessarily accessible for Western audiences. It’s decidedly HK, so sit back and enjoy the ride. (Kozo 1996)

image courtesy of Universe Laser & Video Co., Ltd.