Shanghai Express is Sammo Hung thinking on the biggest possible scale.
Rather than sticking to one genre, he throws together a western, a kung fu film, a heist adventure, an action comedy and an ensemble epic, somehow making all of it work. On paper, it sounds like complete chaos. On screen, it’s one of the most entertaining and ambitious films of Sammo Hung’s career.
The cast alone is enough to make martial arts fans smile.
Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, Hwang Jang-lee, Yuen Wah, Rosamund Kwan, Eric Tsang and a host of familiar Hong Kong faces all share the screen. It feels less like an ordinary production and more like a celebration of Hong Kong cinema at the height of its powers, with nearly every major talent of the era getting a chance to shine.
Sammo anchors the film beautifully.
As always, he balances comedy, action and sincerity with effortless confidence. He’s mischievous, endlessly resourceful and always one bad decision away from complete disaster, making him an instantly likeable hero. Sammo has always excelled at playing ordinary men caught up in extraordinary situations, and Shanghai Express is another perfect example of that gift.
Yuen Biao brings his trademark athleticism, moving across rooftops and through fight scenes with astonishing speed and grace. Watching him perform is like watching someone who simply refuses to acknowledge gravity exists.
Then there’s Cynthia Rothrock and Richard Norton.
By the mid-1980s they had become two of the most exciting martial artists working in Hong Kong, and both leave a lasting impression here. Rothrock delivers the speed, precision and athleticism that made her an international action icon, while Norton brings his calm, disciplined intensity to every confrontation. Their presence adds another layer of excitement to an already stacked cast.
The comedy lands because it grows naturally from the characters.
Sammo never relies on forced jokes or exaggerated slapstick. Instead, the humour comes from personality clashes, misunderstandings and the wonderfully chaotic relationships between such a large ensemble. Every character contributes something memorable, making the bustling town feel alive from beginning to end.
Then the action takes over.
And it’s magnificent.
The climactic battle transforms the entire town into one enormous playground for martial arts choreography. Rooftops, balconies, burning buildings and crowded streets all become part of the action as Sammo orchestrates one spectacular sequence after another. Despite the sheer scale of the finale, everything remains remarkably clear and easy to follow—a testament to Sammo’s skill as both a director and action choreographer.
Yuen Biao’s acrobatics are breathtaking, Cynthia Rothrock gets several outstanding moments to showcase her incredible kicking ability, while Hwang Jang-lee once again demonstrates why he remains one of the greatest screen villains in martial arts history, combining elegance with devastating precision.
One of the standout moments comes during Sammo Hung’s confrontation with Richard Norton.
It’s a superb clash of styles. Norton’s crisp, disciplined striking contrasts beautifully with Sammo’s rhythm, power and remarkable agility. Every exchange feels meaningful, with both performers bringing genuine intensity to one of the film’s finest fight sequences.
What makes Shanghai Express so memorable isn’t simply its action or its enormous cast.
It’s the infectious sense of fun running through every scene.
Sammo clearly set out to create something larger than life, giving every performer an opportunity to shine while never losing sight of the adventure at the heart of the story. Even when the narrative becomes gloriously chaotic, the sheer enthusiasm behind the filmmaking carries the audience along for the ride.
Shanghai Express isn’t just another martial arts film.
It’s a celebration of everything that made Hong Kong cinema so special during its golden era—fearless action, unforgettable performers, boundless creativity and filmmakers willing to throw every idea they had onto the screen.
Funny, ambitious and packed with world-class fight choreography, Shanghai Express remains one of Sammo Hung’s most entertaining achievements and another reminder that he wasn’t simply one of Hong Kong cinema’s greatest action stars.
He was one of its greatest visionaries.
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