Fearless
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Movie Reviews of Fearless
Movie Review: The story of Hua Yuanjia
Summary: 4 Stars
Finally, I can see why this is being promoted as Jet Li's last martial arts epic. He has stood on the top of the top after the Once Upon a Time In China series, and I found this movie even more enjoyable. In 1994 Jet Li and Yuen Woo Ping collaberated on a remake of Bruce Lee's 'Fist of Fury' called 'Fist of Legend' which told the story of Chen Zen, a fictional character who takes revenge after his Master Hua Yuanjia dies. So it is very fitting for Jet to play the Master as the non fictional character himself. You will be taken back at the start to hear Jet's voice so much. I don't ever rememebr him talking that much and it did seem a bit odd. In his earlier movies like OUATIC his voice was always dubbed. It was nice to hear though and Jet is great in those emotional moments. Good thing because you will certainly have some emotions running through your body by the end of this.
I loved the start as it reminded me a bit of my favorite move ever- 'Legend of a Fighter', also a story of Hua Yuanjia and it was directed by Woo Ping. I was wondering if this was just going to be a remake when they showed the war footage to note the year is 1940 or so and also Hua spying on his father, secretly learning kung fu. Then we realize that Ronny Yu is directing this and it is a big budget 2006 movie and all is good.
Hua Yuanjia is perfectly played by Jet Li and shows the full range of emotions that an actor needs. Studying martial arts from a very young age to prove his father wrong and show that he can become a great fighter even if he has asthma. We learn later that practicing and fighting has cured his asthma. With Hua being very arragont he forgets that he cannot be the champion of the county. There is still a man named Master Chin who is considered the best. After Master Chin beats one of Hua's disciples to a pulp, Hua comes for murderous revenge. This was a duel to the death that was absolutely mindblowing. Not only is the action sublime, it is as brutal as can be. After this we get a cut that was all too quick to the young man telling his master that he had said negative things about Master Chin's wife and that he was wrong for doing this. Hua goes and completely loses himself in sorrow but luckily we get a woman named Moon from a nearby village that takes care of him. After seeing life in a whole new way Hua comes back and with help from his childhood friend Jinsun, he moves to Shanghai and opens the Jingwu Sports Federation. With an ego being higher than ever before and the Japanese and British trying to destroy the Chinese people, he may have his hands full. There are at least 10 fights that I can remember in this movie but 3 stood out as some of the best action sequences ever. The fight with master Chin was epic and the second one was a fight with Nathan Jones, the same 7 foot 350 lb muscleman who fought Tony Jaa in 'The Protector' and had a spear jammed in his throat by Brad Pitt in 'Troy'. Well Fearless takes the cake with his best screen fight yet. You will never ever see a fight that seems like it is going to be so cheesy and turns out as breathtaking as this. I didn't even know that Woo Ping had it in him to make such an awesome fight out of a 7 foot Jones and a 5 foot 6 inch Li. You will honestly believe that a man of Li's size can truly take down anybody.
The last fight is the best of the movie bar none, maybe the greatest fight ever put into a movie. I cannot allow myself to give anything away about it but you will not be dissapointed with the end of this movie no matter what genre you usually watch.
I give the movie a 4.5/5 but not the full 5 because there seemed to be so much missing. I couldn't figure out how they could leave parts in like the crazy bum always asking Jet Li if he is the champion but not leaving in parts explaining Jet startign up his school, more on the betrayal of his student, if the crazy bum ever has a significant scene in the movie at all. I really hope that I can give it the full 5 stars it deserves when it comes to DVD and we have an extended edition but more than that, I hope that we get an extended edition.
Like I said at the top, I can see why this is being billed as Jet's last martial arts movie. Reason being is that I thought it was his best ever performance. Just don't be fooled and believe Jet won't make anymore fighting flicks. He has already been talking for quite a while about 'The One' part 2, a Shaolin fighter movie with Tsui Hark, and a movie with Jackie Chan. So don't worry, they say it's his last because they want to see it so badly, AND THEY HAVE GOOD REASON!!!
Movie Review: Fearless is perhaps Jet Li's most well-rounded film!
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, let me begin by saying that Fearless is Jet Li's most emotional movie. And while Jet Li is not going to get an Oscar for his acting, I thought he did a very convincing job both as a rash young man and a wiser wushu master.
It is one of Jet Li's stronger movies. Perhaps overall, his best. The plot is engaging throughout, the acting was satisfying and the fight sequences are exciting.
I have two big disappointments with the movie:
1. Jet Li's progression from being an arrogant young man to a humble master was absolutely horribly developed. I did not missed Michelle Yeoh one bit, but I missed the Thai fighter sequence that was cut out because that probably was a lesson for him that helped change him. Basically Jet Li just ended up in a village and there was a couple dialogues between him and Betty Sun and suddenly he decided to leave and head for Shanghai. Not at all satisfying.
2. The fight scenes was a bit disappointing for me early on. While there are quite a bit of wirework, the main problem is that they use WAY too much computer effects. I mean, is it necessary for them to slow mo every single flip and leap and speed it back up like The Matrix? Was it necessary for them to pull the actors back twenty feet every time they received a punch from Jet? This is Huo Yuan Jia, not Juggernaut. Plus, for those of you that is anticipating the fight scenes between Jet and the British, German and Spanish fighters, you will be disappointed because each fight is like a minute long, not really anything special.
Here is what didn't disappoint:
1. Jet Li vs. Nathan Jones
Fantastic fight. Quite a few wirework, but it didn't distract from the fight at all. The most watchable fight by Jet Li in years. What I like about it is that the fact that Wo Ping did not forget that Jones is a wrestler and he put that aspect of his martial arts to the screen wonderfully. Jet Li got thrown like a rock, squashed like a bug, and lifted like a doll. To see Jet Li counter Jones was a thing to watch!
2. Jet Li vs. Shidou Nakamura
WOW. The best weapons fight Jet Li ever done. Period. The entire sequence was exciting, fresh and full of character. My favorite scene in the movie is when they accidently switch weapons and Jet Li and Shidou stopped the fight and exchanged their weapons back. Brilliant scene for both characters.
3. The ending. Preachy, but emotional. I like it.
Overall, one of Jet Li's stronger film. Perhaps his best since the Once Upon a Time in China despite the short comings.
I can't wait to watch the uncut version.
8.5/10
Movie Review: Nice Movie !!
Summary: 4 Stars
I love matrial Arts , well cause I do them myself.
All aside i know this movie and The Protector were going against each other coming out around the same times, I will give some pros and cons....
If anyone is a Jet Li fan they owe it to him to see this movie one..... two the movie is great nice fight scenes and a really good storyline, music also blended in good with the movie.
Aside from that I know its telling its tale but there is a lotta talking and when people were just about fed up and wanting to walk out, you have to be patient to watch this movie.
Im sorry but I would Profer The Protector Over Jet Li's new movie, dont get me wrong im a big fan but the long pauses over the secnes of fighting and talking were too long.
Again its telling its tale , but any fan of Martial Arts should love this movie.
I would say its a good flick to catch and im sure everyone who saw it would agree.
>:D
Movie Review: Peace Be With You Always
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie was more about the jouney within than about martial arts and action, which is a very important message in today's society. It is sad that more people see a movie as stupid as "Jackass" while they stay away from a movie about honor and what it means to be a true human being. This Hermit Crab thinks its a sign of the times :( Peace be with you always!
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