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Wheels on Meals

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Not to be confused withMeals on Wheels.
"Spartan X" redirects here. For the video game, seeKung-Fu Master(video game).

Wheels on Meals
Chinese name
Traditional ChineseKhoái xan xa
Simplified ChineseKhoái xan xa
Directed bySammo Hung
Written byEdward Tang
Johnny Lee
Produced byRaymond Chow
StarringJackie Chan
Sammo Hung
Yuen Biao
Lola Forner
Benny Urquidez
Pepe Sancho
Herb Edelman
Keith Vitali
Cheung Chung
CinematographyArthur Wong
Cheung Yiu-tso
Francisco Riba
Edited byPeter Cheung Yiu-chung
Music byChris Barbida
Tang Siu-lam
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Release date
  • 17 August 1984(1984-08-17)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeUS$13 million(est.)

Wheels on Meals(traditional Chinese:Khoái xan xa;simplified Chinese:Khoái xan xa) is a 1984Hong Kong martial artsaction comedyfilm written and directed bySammo Hung,with action choreographed byJackie Chan.The film stars Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung,Yuen Biao,Lola Forner,Benny UrquidezandJosé Sancho.[1]The film was shot inBarcelona,Spain.

The film was a box office hit inEast Asia,including Japan where the film was released asSpartan X.The film was also well-received by critics for its comedy and action, particularly the final fight between Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez, which is considered one of the greatest fight scenes of all time.Jackie Chan with his stunt teamwere nominated forBest Action Choreography,for bothWheels on MealsandProject A,at the4th Hong Kong Film Awards,winning the award forProject A.

Wheels on Mealsspawned theSpartan Xfranchise. In 1984, it was adapted into the video gameSpartan X(released asKung-Fu Masterinternationally), which laid the foundations for thebeat 'em upgenre ofaction games.The video game also had a sequel,Spartan X 2,and there was aSpartan Xcomic bookseries. TheSpartan Xfranchise grossed an estimated total revenue of approximatelyUS$134 millionworldwide.

Plot

Thomas and David are Chinese cousins who run afast foodvan inBarcelonaand practice martial arts in their spare time. They are friends with Moby, a bumbling Chinese assistant to aprivate investigatorwho passes him his business in Spain after fleeing from debtors. Moby's first job is to find the child of a maid who used to work for a wealthy family. After fending off a biker gang, Thomas and David pay a visit to David's insane father, Chen, who is in a mental institution, and bump into Sylvia, the daughter of David's father's resident girlfriend. Thomas encourages his cousin to try to ask her out on a date, but David chickens out of this.

Later that night, while at the van serving food, they inadvertently discover Sylvia is a pickpocket who pretends to be a prostitute to rob her patrons, and protect her from one of them. Taking her to their apartment, the cousins are enamored by her and attempt to seduce her while keeping their money away from her, humorously failing at both and waking to find Sylvia and their money gone. The following day, unknown men try to kidnap Sylvia but are accidentally frustrated by Moby, who previously crashed his car against hers (actually stolen from an Italian neighbor). Moby's employer finds out Sylvia is Gloria's daughter and orders him to rescue her.

Thomas and David find Sylvia again and save her from her patron's henchmen. After she reveals her tough life, they hire her as a waitress in their fast food business and have fun with her throughout Barcelona, although still trying and failing to woo her. One day, the unknown men return and try to kidnap Sylvia at the same time Moby finds her, leading to a chase in which the Chinese trio manage to thwart her pursuers thanks to their quick thinking and their van's gadgets. In the process, two of the thugs turn out to be excellent martial artists themselves, whom not even David and Thomas can defeat.

Eventually, the Chinese and Sylvia reunite with Moby's employer and threaten him with throwing him off theSagrada Famíliaunless he reveals all he knows. He explains Sylvia is the illegitimate daughter of Count Lobas, who raped his chambermaid Gloria. In his deathbed, the count confessed it and begged his wife to find Gloria and Sylvia, intending to leave them his sizable inheritance to keep it off the hands of his wicked brother Mondale. In three days, Sylvia will have to find Gloria and present themselves to the lawyers in order to reclaim the money. Thomas and David initially refuse to help her anymore knowing she's an aristocrat, but Moby shames them into staying in the team. They then stage a ruse to infiltrate the mental institution and rescue Gloria and Chen, who plan to marry. Upon leaving, Mondale's men arrive again, beat down the Chinese and kidnap the women.

Thomas, David and Moby raid the villains' castle to rescue the women. In a series of misadventures, the cousins are captured and taken to Mondale, but Moby frees them. A multiple battle takes place, with Thomas and David taking on the two thugs while Moby faces the similarly skilled Mondale in a duel of weapons. Thomas submits his opponent after an extraordinarily tough fight, while David also manages to knock out his with a jar, and together join Moby to defeat Mondale in the style ofthe Three Musketeers.

The final scene of the film shows Sylvia reunited with her family, although she asks Thomas and David to keep her in their payroll as a summer job. Moby asks the cousins to help him with a new mission to rescue an African president, but they jokingly refuse.

Cast

Production

Title

The film's title was supposed to beMeals on Wheels.SuperstitiousGolden Harvestexecutives however demanded the title change because their two previous films with titles that began with the letter 'M' –MegaforceandMenage à Trois– were bothbox officeflops.[2][3]

Casting

The three action stars, Yuen, Chan and Hung, are long time best friends and had beenPeking Opera Schoolcolleagues in their youth.[4]The release ofWheels on Mealscame in the midst of their most prolific period working together as a trio. The three men had acted together on Chan'sProject Aand the first of Hung's originalLucky Starstrilogy,Winners and Sinnersin 1983.[5][6]Wheels on Mealswas released in 1984, and a year later they were reunited twice more for the Lucky Stars semi-sequelsMy Lucky StarsandTwinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars.This was something of a golden period for Hong Kong cinema-goers, as three of the nation's most beloved action stars performed together on screen.

The film also featurescameo appearancesfrom fellow Lucky StarsRichard NgandJohn Shumas mental patients in the hospital attended by the father of Yuen's character.

Wheels on Mealswas the first of two films which paired starJackie Chanagainst former professionalkickboxingchampionBenny Urquidez(the other being the 1988 filmDragons Forever). Their fight in this film is typically regarded as one of the greatest on-screen martial arts fights ever performed. At one point in the final battle between the pair, a spin-kick performed by Urquidez is so quick that the resulting airflow extinguishes a row of candles. This is shown onscreen, with no cuts or trick photography.

Co-starLola Fornerappeared in anotherJackie Chanfilm,Armour of God(1987).

Filming

Audio commentator Bey Logan explains why Sammo Hung decided to shoot the film outside of Hong Kong. By the time it was made in 1984, shooting in Hong Kong had become practically impossible – firstly, because the action stars had become so famous that they could not walk through the streets with impunity, and secondly due to the mounting difficulties in obtaining a permit from the government in order to film in Hong Kong. Bruce Lee had paved the way for Hong Kong filmmakers shooting abroad with the 1972 filmWay of the Dragon,whose location filming was done in Italy, whereas the interiors had been shot atGolden Harveststudio.

When Hung took his cast and crew toBarcelona,he wanted to strongly establish the locations in Barcelona as real, and to avoid shooting interiors at Golden Harvest. In comparison toHong Kong,the Spanish authorities were very cooperative in allowing the use of locations for filming, even for car chases and fight scenes.[7]

Reception

Box office

During itsHong Kongtheatrical run,Wheels on MealsgrossedHK$21,465,013[8](US$2,745,589),[9]becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of the year in Hong Kong.[10]InTaiwan,where it ran during September–October 1984, it became the third highest-grossing film of the year, earningNT$23,455,346[11](US$601,075).[12]

InJapan,where it released asSpartan X,it grossed¥2.02 billion[13](US$8.5 million),[14]becoming the sixth highest-grossing foreign film of 1985.[15]InSouth Korea,it was the second highest-grossing film of 1985, with 307,751 box admissions inSeoul,[16]equivalent to an estimated₩1,077,128,500[17](US$1,238,050).[18]Combined, the film's total estimated box office gross inEast Asiawas approximatelyUS$13,084,714,equivalent toUS$38 millionadjusted for inflation.

Critical response

The film was generally well-received by critics. Jamie Havlin ofLouder Than Warcalled it "one of the most highly regarded martial-arts comedies ever made."[19]Casimir Harlow ofAVForumsrated it 9 out of 10, calling it "a hugely fun, thoroughly imaginative and frequently action packed affair."[20]Justin Bowyer ofEmpirerated it three out of five stars, praising the action and comedy while criticizing the lack of plot.[21]David Rees ofAsian Action Cinemarated it 8 out of 10, calling it "an altogether very enjoyable if at times silly romp."[22]John Krewson ofThe A.V. Clubsaid that, while not as good as "other films the three principals have made", "it's right at the top of Hong Kong cinema's second tier".[23]David Poplar ofThe Digital Fixrated it 8 out of 10, describing it as a "vintage Jackie Chan slapstick comedy featuring some astonishing choreography".[24]

The final fight between Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez is considered one of the greatest fight scenes of all time.[20][25][26]The climax leading up to that, involving Thomas climbing a Spanishcastleto rescue Sylvia (with the help of Moby and David) and fighting enemies along the way, has been compared toBruce Lee'sGame of Death(1972).[27]

Awards and nominations

Home release

On 30 January 2006, DVD was released in a two disc platinum edition atHong Kong LegendsinUKinRegion 2.

Unlike the majority of Chan's later films, the standard DVD release ofWheels on Mealsdoes not contain the usualouttakesover the final credits. However, a VHS release of the film did exist in the mid-1980s under the titleSpartan X,which has the outtakes intact.

The 2019 region Bblu-rayfrom Eureka! features the film with 5 different alternate audio track mixes in both English and Cantonese as well as extras that interviewYuen Biao,Stanley Tongand Sammo Hung.

Spartan Xfranchise

Video games

Further information:Kung-Fu Master (video game)andSpartan X 2

The film was adapted into anarcade video gamecalledSpartan X(the film's Japanese title), developed byIremin 1984. It is a loose adaptation of the film's final part, which involves Thomas climbing the castle to rescue Sylvia.[27]The game also borrows heavily from theBruce LeefilmGame of Death(1972). It was re-titledKung-Fu Masterfor Western markets without using the film's license. The arcade game laid the foundations for thebeat 'em upgenre,[28][29]and inspiredSuper Mario Bros.(1985),[30]Street Fighter(1987),[31][32]the French filmKung Fu Master(1988),[33]and theRed Ribbon Armysaga in themangaandanimeseriesDragon Ball.[34]

The game was ported to theFamicom/NESconsole in 1985 asSpartan Xin Japan,[35]and released asKung Fuin Western markets. The Famicom/NES version sold 3.5million cartridges,[36]including 1.42million in Japan[37]and 2.08million overseas. At a retail price of¥5,292,[35]the game grossed an estimated¥7.515 billion(US$69 million) in Japan. Internationally, at a retail price of US$24.99,[38]the game grossed an estimatedUS$52 millionoverseas, bringing the game's estimated worldwide retail sales revenue to approximatelyUS$121 million.

The game had two sequels.Vigilantewas released forarcadesin 1988.Spartan X 2was released in Japan for the Famicom console in 1991.

An image of Thomas, Chan's character in the film, was used in the title screen and cutscene of the 1995 unlicensedSuper FamicomgameHong Kong 97as the game's character, Chin, a fictional relative toBruce Lee.

Comic books

Between 1997 and 1998, a series ofSpartan Xcomic bookswere published. Three issues ofJackie Chan's Spartan X: The Armour of Heavenwere published in 1997,[39]and four issues ofJackie Chan's Spartan X: Hell Bent Hero For Hirewere published in 1998.[40]

See also

References

  1. ^says, Pop Cult Master (26 June 2015)."Wheels on Meals (1984)".Silver Emulsion Film Reviews.Retrieved25 February2024.
  2. ^"Trivia forKuai can che(1984) ".IMDb film listing.IMDb.Retrieved27 November2008.
  3. ^"Wheels on Meals".AMG film listing.All Movie.Retrieved27 November2008.
  4. ^"Seven Little Fortunes".Feature article.LoveAsianFilm.Retrieved27 November2008.
  5. ^"Sammo Hung Profile".Kung Fu Cinema. Archived fromthe originalon 29 May 2007.Retrieved7 June2007.
  6. ^"Yuen Biao Profile".Kung Fu Cinema. Archived fromthe originalon 15 April 2007.Retrieved7 June2007.
  7. ^Wheels on Meals,Audio commentary Bey Logan Disc 1, Sammo Hung interview Disc 2 (DVD featurette)(DVD).Hong Kong Legends,UK. 2001.
  8. ^"Wheels on Meals (1984)".Hong Kong Movie DataBase.Retrieved7 December2018.
  9. ^"Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Hong Kong".World Bank.1984.Retrieved22 June2020.
  10. ^"【ジャッキーチェン hưng hành thành tích 】 đệ 8 hồi: Hương cảng での hưng hành thâu nhập"[[Jackie Chan Box Office Results] 8th: Box Office Revenue in Hong Kong].KungFu Tube(in Japanese). 16 August 2010.Retrieved22 June2020.
  11. ^"1984 Taiwan Box Office".National Chengchi University(in Chinese). Archived fromthe originalon 19 February 2001.Retrieved30 November2018.
  12. ^"Historical currency converter with official exchange rates (TWD)".fxtop.com.31 October 1984.Retrieved22 June2020.
  13. ^"【ジャッキーチェン hưng hành thành tích 】 đệ 12 hồi: Nhật bổn での hưng hành thâu nhập"[[Jackie Chan Box Office Results] 12th: Box Office in Japan].KungFu Tube(in Japanese). 2012.Retrieved7 December2018.
  14. ^"Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan".World Bank.1984.Retrieved22 June2020.
  15. ^"1985 niên ( 1 nguyệt ～12 nguyệt )".Eiren.Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan.Retrieved20 November2018.
  16. ^"【ジャッキーチェン hưng hành thành tích 】 đệ 10 hồi: Hàn quốc での hưng hành thâu nhập"[[Jackie Chan Box Office Results] 10th: Box Office in Korea].KungFu Tube(in Japanese). 5 September 2010.Retrieved7 December2018.
  17. ^Park, Seung Hyun (2000).A Cultural Interpretation of Korean Cinema, 1988-1997.Indiana University.p. 119.Average Ticket Prices in Korea, 1974-1997 [...] * Source: Korea Cinema Yearbook (1997-1998) * Currency: won [...] Foreign [...] 1985 [...] 3,500
  18. ^"Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Korea, Rep".World Bank.1985.Retrieved7 December2018.
  19. ^Havlin, Jamie (10 March 2019)."Wheels on Meals: re-release - film review".Louder Than War.Retrieved24 March2021.
  20. ^abHarlow, Casimir."Wheels on Meals Blu-ray Review".AVForums.Retrieved24 March2021.
  21. ^Bowyer, Justin (November 2006)."Wheels On Meals Review".Empire.Retrieved24 March2021.
  22. ^Rees, David (26 March 2019)."Wheels on Meals – Blu Ray Review".Asian Action Cinema.Retrieved24 March2021.
  23. ^Krewson, John (29 March 2002)."Wheels On Meals".The A.V. Club.Retrieved24 March2021.
  24. ^Poplar, David (18 March 2019)."Wheels On Meals".The Digital Fix.Retrieved24 March2021.
  25. ^Freese, Gene (2017).Classic Movie Fight Scenes: 75 Years of Bare Knuckle Brawls, 1914-1989.McFarland. p. 288.ISBN978-1-4766-6943-4.
  26. ^Gumbarge, Jesse (28 March 2015)."30 Greatest Action Movie Fight Scenes Of All Time: 8. Thomas Vs. Mondale's Henchman - Wheels on Meals (1984)".WhatCulture.com.Retrieved22 March2021.
  27. ^abDellafrana, Danilo (29 August 2017)."Le origini di Street Fighter".The Games Machine(in Italian).Retrieved20 March2021.
  28. ^Spencer, Spanner (6 February 2008)."The Tao of Beat-'em-ups".Eurogamer.p. 2.Retrieved20 July2020.
  29. ^Stuart, Keith (9 April 2014)."Bruce Lee, UFC and why the martial arts star is a video game hero".The Guardian.Retrieved20 July2020.
  30. ^Shigeru Miyamoto(December 2010).Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary - Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto #2(in Japanese).Nintendo Channel.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2021.Retrieved12 April2021.
  31. ^Leone, Matt (7 July 2020)."Street Fighter 1: An oral history".Polygon.Vox Media.Retrieved16 July2020.
  32. ^O'Connor, James (8 July 2020)."Street Fighter Was Inspired By A Loose Game Adaptation Of A Jackie Chan Movie".GameSpot.Retrieved12 April2021.
  33. ^Ebert, Roger(17 November 1989)."Kung-fu master!".RogerEbert.com.Retrieved16 March2021.
  34. ^DRAGON BALL đại toàn tập 2: STORY GUIDE(in Japanese).Shueisha.1995. pp. 261–265.ISBN4-08-782752-6.
  35. ^ab"スパルタンX [ファミコン]".Famitsu.Retrieved20 November2018.
  36. ^CESA Games White Papers.Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association.
  37. ^"Japan Platinum Chart Games".The Magic Box.Archivedfrom the original on 1 January 2008.Retrieved20 November2018.
  38. ^1986 Sears Wish Book.Sears.1986. p. 523.
  39. ^"Jackie Chan's Spartan X: The Armour of Heaven (Volume)".Comic Vine.Retrieved7 December2018.
  40. ^"Jackie Chan's Spartan X: Hell Bent Hero For Hire (Volume)".Comic Vine.Retrieved7 December2018.
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