Fearless
|
Our Price: $10.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Fearless
Movie Review: Martial Arts Action with Soul: Jet Li's Best in Years
Summary: 5 Stars
[The following review refers to the 104 minute version of `Fearless' released in Japan in March, 2006, starring Jet Li.]
`Fearless" is inspired by the life of Huo Yuan Jia, real-life Chinese martial arts master. Jet Li plays this legendary figure, whose martial arts style and fearless fight helped the people in China regain their pride in the early 20th century when China was intimidated and humiliated by the growing Western and Japanese powers.
Well, so much for the history. Now, let's talk about actions. In `Fearless' Jet Li has shown his best performance since the days he did `Once Upon A Time In China' playing the role of Wong Fei Hung, another legendary hero in China, and the fight scenes (choreographed by Yuen Woo Ping) are all fantastic, sometimes visceral, and sometimes graceful, and always powerful. Good and smooth editing and gorgeous production designs also help greatly to create the background.
[JET LI'S PHILOSOPHY] After the opening martial arts competition sequences in Shanghai, 1910, the film begins to follow the life of Huo Yuan Jia from the days he was a boy in a flashback section. Jet Li and director Ronny Yu (yes, the guy who did `Bride of Chucky' and `Freddy vs. Jason') made a wise decision in showing Collin Chou as Father of young Huo Yuan Jia because the image of charismatic Chou (previously seen in two `Matrix' sequels as body guard Seraph) as the stern father who forbids his son to fight well-represents Li's philosophy about martial arts.
Yes, `Fearless' is a first-rate martial arts action film, but the film is more than that. The film, which was released under the title of `Spirit' in Japan, has Li's message about martial arts, which impresses without being obtrusive.
Besides splendid Collin Chou, the film has assembled interesting names from in and outside of Asia: Nathan Jones as `Hercules' one of Huo Yuan Jia's opponents: Anthony De Longis as Spanish fighter: Brandon Rhea as German fighter: Masato Harada (seen in `The Last Samurai') as Mr. Mita. Debuting actress Sun Li (Betty Li) is impressive as a blind girl, and so is Dong Yong who steals the show as Huo Yuan Jia's old friend. But probably to the Western viewers the real find is the Japanese rising star Shidou Nakamura as Anno Tanaka samurai fighter. Nakamura, who will be seen Clint Eastwood's `Red Sun, Black Sand,' is already known as a talented actor in Japan, and he shows it with the brilliant fight scenes.
But the film is of course a Jet Li film, with the genuine actions that no one but he can do, and Li also succeeds in bringing life and dignity into the character of Huo Yuan Jia. As you know, it is said that `Fearless' will be the last martial arts film for Jet Li. I don't know if it is really true, but I know this is his best film in years.
Movie Review: What a Way to End a Martial Arts Career
Summary: 5 Stars
"Fearless is billed as Jet Li's last martial arts movie. If that is true he could not have ended on a higher note. "Fearless" is the fictionalized account of Huo Juanjia, the Wushu master who was one of the founders of the Chin Wu Sports Federation in 1910, which promoted the martial arts and its unity throughout the world to this day.
The story starts with the Huo as a child with his wanting to learn Wushu from his father the master. He is not allowed because he has asthma. The story jumps to years later and now Hua is the master and he is a champion Wushu master. You realize that even though he is the best, there is something lacking from his life. Most of the rest of the story is his education to learn what is truly important with the ending climaxing of his learning and his international acclaim.
Jet Li does a wonderful job of portraying Huo Jianjia. Dong Yong plays Huo's lifelong friend and serves as his Jimminy Cricket throughout the movies as his sense of duty and honor. Betty Sun's character teaches Huo the importance he is missing. The rest of the cast is wonderfull, but not nearly as important as Jet Li.
The action scenes are choreographed by Yeun Wo Ping. He is the best in the business today and has been for many years. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Matrix Trilogy, Kill Bill Vol I & II and the irreverent Kung Fu Hustle are just of few of his more famous films. The action scenes are going to be remembered with the best of all time because they are that good. If you liked "Hero" or "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon", you will loves these sequences. There is not a missed moment the entire movie. Full of action, yet beautiful to watch. The fight secens with the three-piece-staff are the stuff of legend.
"Fearless" works on two levels: it is deeply introspective and the action is out of this world. If you like martial arts films just for the action, you will love this film. If you like movies for the script and visuals, you will also love this film. This is one of the best genre films made. This is certainly Jet LI at his best and should not be missed. It is truly better than "Hero" and I thought that was his best at that time. Truly stunning. Highly Reccommended.
Movie Review: top notch
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not only one of Jet Lis best movies of late, but one of his best movies ever. The production values are of very high quality, the choreography amazing and the story is simple without being boring. Jet Li does a good job portraying Huo Yuanjia and the rest of the cast is, in my opinion, also up to par.
It definitely brings moral, ethic, valour, honour, and other values in the foreground, but without being preachy. The story, although based on a true story, is quite historically inaccurate, but then again, who takes their history lessons from the cinema?
Highly recommendable
Movie Review: Jet Li's Fearless
Summary: 5 Stars
After having recently seen the movie in a theatre, I was very impressed and surprised at how thoroughly I enjoyed the film. It is touching on many levels; it's honorable, heartbreaking, redeeming, and hopeful. I've not been touched by a film like this for so long, and I watch many movies. Not only does Jet Li do a great job in the film, I enjoy every main charachter's performance.
While the film made certain turns that I didn't like, I couldn't void my admiration for the feel of the movie. It's pitiful and sad at points, but, in the end, it's worth watching.
Movie Review: must see and a keeper ...
Summary: 5 Stars
we saw this in singapore during our summer holidays. man, just the martial arts tournament alone kept you spellbound. of course, jet li is in his finest form. this movie truly speak about the real meaning of martial arts - peace within oneself in the truest form.
More Movie Reviews:
1 2
1 2