Chan is supported by a skilled cast, not least Siu Tien Yuen who excels as Sam the Seed, a real oddity of a character who you end up loving. Chan is on top form here, his skills as both an actor and acrobat coming to light in the often superhumanly fast and strong moves that he pulls. Despite the predictable plot this is entertainment that never lets up. The finale concerns Jackie learning the art of drunken fighting and going up against an assassin hired to kill his own father. All manner of balancing stunts, incredible press-ups and strenuous exercises follow. But before Jackie can learn any of this, he's put through some of the most rigorous and impressive training techniques yet. Sam is an elderly gentleman who has perfected the art of the "eight drunk gods". Disgusted by his son's dishonourable activities, the father banishes Jackie to the care of his bizarre uncle, Sam the Seed. Whether he's attempting to score a date with a hot chick or helping in the fight against a robber, he always comes off the worse in the eyes of his father, the man who helped train him. Jackie Chan takes on the role of the rebellious, somewhat cocky student who finds himself caught up in fights wherever he goes. Beautifully shot, with skilled performers, and choreographed by the masterful Yuen Woo-ping, DRUNKEN MASTER is the epitome of Hong Kong martial arts comedy and a real masterpiece. The plot is lightweight stuff which allows for plenty of fighting techniques and all kinds of stunts and incredible manoeuvres that have to be seen to be believed.
Like most of his early work, it's a comedy-cum-kung fu movie with near constant action and never a boring moment. This early, classic effort from Jackie Chan is a film impossible to dislike.