Movie Review: The Super Inframan

The Super Inframan (Zhong guo chao ren) a.k.a The Infra Superman a.k.a Infra-Man a.k.a Chinese Superman 

Starring: Danny Lee (as Li Hsui-Hsien), Terry Liu, Hsieh Wang, Man-Tzu Yuan, Wen-wei Lin, Dana (as Shu-Yi Tsen), Chien-Lung Huang, Lu Sheng , Shao Lun Chiang, Yang Chiang, Chun Chin, Tien-Chu Chin, Jen Kwan, Bruce Le (as Kin Lung Hung), Fanny Leung (as Man-yi Liang), Tsun Liu, Wai Lo, Shun-Yee Yuen 

Director: Shan Hua 

Shaw Brothers, Hong Kong, 1975. 

Flying lizard lands on a road and causes it to collapse. Van full of schoolkids is in danger! Also large cities are destroyed by earthquakes and fire. Professor Liu (Hsieh Wang) investigates the cause of the catastrophes. Demon princess Elzibub (Terry Liu) announces that she has conquered the Earth. She awakes ancient monsters who will destroy the humans. The monsters are very excited to create havoc.

Cities burn

Demon princess Elzibub

Demon army

Professor Liu runs a secret Inframan project. Using technology and hormones Rayma (Danny Lee, best known for John Woo's "The Killer") is turned into superhero Inframan. Plant monster tries to destroy the research centre. Inframan battles the evil plant. Demons capture Zhu Ming (Wen-wei Lin) and Elzibub's henchwoman Witch-Eye (Dana Shun Shuk Yee) turns him into a spy. Rayma and Professor suspect him and assign Xiao Long (Bruce Le) to observe him. Xiao chases Ming and is attacked by spider monster, skeleton men and a laughing hairy monster.

Rayma

Witch-Eye

Mutant Drill attacks!

Inframan can change his size to battle giant sized monsters. Professor upgrades Inframan with Thunder fists that can destroy even the strongest monsters. The fists will be useful when the demons kidnap professor's daughter Mei Mei (Yuen Man Chi). Elzibub has also Temple of Doom style lava pit. In the final battle Inframan must use all his skills and weapons to defeat the demons and save Professor and Mei Mei.

Better get some Roundup

Inframan

Inframan vs. Plant Monster

The movie was the first Chinese superhero movie. It took ideas from Japanese superhero movies and series of that time (most notably "Ultraman" and "Kamen Rider", Inframan looks very similar to those two). Also it probably took some influences from Iron Man comics. Rubber suit monsters are fun to watch, although the fights get a bit repetitive. Plot is paper thin, mostly it is about Inframan fighting various monsters and saving people. When Inframan destroys monsters they always explode! The special effects are good old school style, and look like old Godzilla movies. Super Inframan is great campy fun with superhero kung fu fights, lots of exploding stuff and 1970s groovy soundtrack.

Big Spider Monster

Professor's daughters Lin Lin and Mei Mei

Professor Liu cruising with Mutant Drill and Mr. Skeleton

Rating: Good

See also the epic trailer here: