As most should know, this is a remake of an old Bruce Lee movie, Fists of Fury, also known as Chinese Connection. I personally have mixed feelings about it.
Seeing only two Bruce Lee films (Fists of Fury "The Big Boss" and the second half of Enter the Dragon), and being unimpressed by both (I'm spoiled by the likes of Jet Li and Donnie Yen :-P), I'd have to say this movie is pretty good.
Donnie Yen does his best to recreate the EMOTION, not physical appearance, of Bruce Lee. So while he's not a dead ringer in appearance, his displays of rage are rather convincing. Also, considering the quality of his materials (this was a tv series, not intially a movie) he managed to pull off a rather good production.
The story is that Chen Jun's (Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen) master, Fok (his surname, his full name escapes me at the moment) is trying to gather all the martial artists and create a universal style based on the strengths of each martial art. He does this to give China some fighting power against the foreign invaders of Imperialism: Japan, Russia, Italy, Britain, France, and others. Japan, being the key antagonist of the movie, has an official poison Fok. Hellbent on revenge, Chen goes on a campaign of kick ass to drive out the Japanese.
For the most part, because of the legendary limited budget of TV shows, Donnie had about 4 or 5 actual martial artists: himself, Eddy Ko, a guy playing a japanese Karate master (limited experience), and maybe a few others. The rest were all either unexperienced in both acting or martial arts. Considering this, he pulled off the fight scenes masterfully (Donnie was the fight choreographer) by mainly using editing and quick shots to make use of stunt doubles and extras. Therefore most of the fight scenes look very awkward and close-up, but it's bearable.
The storyline in itself is basic, but effective. It really doesn't show many huge plot holes and presents itself well.
The main part of the movie that most will like is the last 30 minutes, Donnie does nothing but kick the crap out of Japanese martial arts students, martial arts masters, and even a Russian wrestler (taken from the original movie). Three of the fight scenes (two with nunchakues (I know I spelled it wrong) and one with escrima sticks) had absolutely no choreography and look amazing, even by today's high standards.
Personally, I had mixed feelings about the movie. Parts of it will make you groan while other parts you will geniuinely enjoy. Only get this movie if you have about $15 to blow.
(There are two major props that inspire silliness and laughter though, one scene Donnie uses a net that looks about 80 years ahead of its time (bright green nets in 1911?) and a Japanese flag that's 40 years ahead of its time)
Overall, I'd give the movie somewhere along the lines between a 4 and a 6. To some, it will be slightly above average, to others, it will be slightly below average. Anyone who rates it higher or lower either has a high tolerance for cheesiness or is a martial arts elitist and are asking more than me.
Seeing only two Bruce Lee films (Fists of Fury "The Big Boss" and the second half of Enter the Dragon), and being unimpressed by both (I'm spoiled by the likes of Jet Li and Donnie Yen :-P), I'd have to say this movie is pretty good.
Donnie Yen does his best to recreate the EMOTION, not physical appearance, of Bruce Lee. So while he's not a dead ringer in appearance, his displays of rage are rather convincing. Also, considering the quality of his materials (this was a tv series, not intially a movie) he managed to pull off a rather good production.
The story is that Chen Jun's (Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen) master, Fok (his surname, his full name escapes me at the moment) is trying to gather all the martial artists and create a universal style based on the strengths of each martial art. He does this to give China some fighting power against the foreign invaders of Imperialism: Japan, Russia, Italy, Britain, France, and others. Japan, being the key antagonist of the movie, has an official poison Fok. Hellbent on revenge, Chen goes on a campaign of kick ass to drive out the Japanese.
For the most part, because of the legendary limited budget of TV shows, Donnie had about 4 or 5 actual martial artists: himself, Eddy Ko, a guy playing a japanese Karate master (limited experience), and maybe a few others. The rest were all either unexperienced in both acting or martial arts. Considering this, he pulled off the fight scenes masterfully (Donnie was the fight choreographer) by mainly using editing and quick shots to make use of stunt doubles and extras. Therefore most of the fight scenes look very awkward and close-up, but it's bearable.
The storyline in itself is basic, but effective. It really doesn't show many huge plot holes and presents itself well.
The main part of the movie that most will like is the last 30 minutes, Donnie does nothing but kick the crap out of Japanese martial arts students, martial arts masters, and even a Russian wrestler (taken from the original movie). Three of the fight scenes (two with nunchakues (I know I spelled it wrong) and one with escrima sticks) had absolutely no choreography and look amazing, even by today's high standards.
Personally, I had mixed feelings about the movie. Parts of it will make you groan while other parts you will geniuinely enjoy. Only get this movie if you have about $15 to blow.
(There are two major props that inspire silliness and laughter though, one scene Donnie uses a net that looks about 80 years ahead of its time (bright green nets in 1911?) and a Japanese flag that's 40 years ahead of its time)
Overall, I'd give the movie somewhere along the lines between a 4 and a 6. To some, it will be slightly above average, to others, it will be slightly below average. Anyone who rates it higher or lower either has a high tolerance for cheesiness or is a martial arts elitist and are asking more than me.