House of Traps

House of Traps is a 1982 martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh and starring Feng Lu, Li Wang, Tien-Hsiang Lung, and Chin Hu. The film follows a group of strangers who are invited to a mysterious mansion known as the House of Traps, where they must navigate deadly traps and fight off assassins to survive.

The film opens with the introduction of each of the main characters: Master Kao (played by Tien-Hsiang Lung), a martial arts master seeking revenge against his enemies; Scholar Tsui (played by Li Wang), an educated man looking for adventure; Uncle Wu (played by Feng Lu), a wealthy businessman seeking to protect his wealth; and Mistress Hsin (played by Chin Hu), a seductive woman with a hidden motive.

The four characters are each given a letter inviting them to the House of Traps, a mansion owned by a mysterious figure known only as 'Mr. Chuan.' Upon their arrival, they are greeted by a servant and soon discover that they are not the only ones invited to the house. They soon meet a fifth guest, a young man named Hsiao (played by Siu-hou Chin), who helps them navigate the deadly traps that have been set up in the house.

The House of Traps is a labyrinthine mansion filled with deadly traps and secret passageways. Each room presents a new challenge for the characters to overcome. There are rooms filled with spikes, rooms that flood with water, and rooms that shoot out arrows. The characters must use their wits and martial arts skills to survive.

As the characters explore the house, they soon discover that they are being hunted by a group of assassins who are determined to kill them. The assassins are led by a mysterious figure known only as 'The Boss.' The characters must fight off these assassins while also trying to unravel the mystery of the house and discover Mr. Chuan's true identity.

One of the standout features of House of Traps is its inventive use of traps and the characters' creative ways of navigating them. Each trap is unique and deadly, and the characters must use their martial arts skills to overcome them. There are scenes where characters must fight while being submerged in water or jump across platforms while avoiding spikes. The action sequences are well choreographed and entertaining to watch.

Another strength of House of Traps is its cast of colorful characters. Each character has their unique personality and backstory, which makes them interesting to watch. Master Kao is a determined and skilled martial artist seeking revenge, Scholar Tsui is a witty and intelligent character who provides comic relief, Uncle Wu is a wealthy businessman determined to protect his wealth, and Mistress Hsin is a mysterious and seductive character with a hidden motive. Siu-hou Chin's character, Hsiao, provides a youthful energy and is instrumental in helping the characters navigate the house.

Overall, House of Traps is an entertaining martial arts film that delivers on action, suspense, and mystery. The inventive use of traps and the colorful cast of characters makes it stand out from other films in the genre. It's a must-watch for fans of classic kung fu films.