FIST OF LEGEND

Country: Hong Kong
Release Year: 1994
Genre: Martial Arts
Language: Cantonese / Japanese / Mandarin/ English
Running Time: 103 minutes

[Cast]
Jet Li
Chin Siu Ho
Ada Choi
Shinobu Nakayama
Yasuaki Kurata
Billy Chow
Paul Chang

[Action Director]
Yuen Woo Ping

[Director]
Gordon Chan





Jet Li, along with Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, and all the other spectacular martial artists slash actor, and actresses are without a doubt, the hardest working people in the entertainment industry, in Hong Kong, Hollywood, and any other parts of the world for that matter.

With that being said, all of us that watch these martial arts classics are well aware that they do their own stunts.

The true dedication to their craft truly shines on screen. Wether they're leaping on their own, or strapped on a high wire they're simple yet difficult acrobatics are just a wonder to behold on screen and beyond.

If there is ever a film that truly defines the masterful skill, and passion for Jet Li's martial arts movie career: FIST OF LEGEND is that film.

Period.

Although I believe The Tai Chi Master comes a very close second but, that is another review. Fist of Legend is a remake of the Bruce Lee classic: Fist of Fury, and a very worthy remake to say the least. Fist of Legend stretches the boundaries of what makes a true martial arts classic, it has everything a martial arts afficionado could ever want: great story, and plot, awesome cinematography, 100% authentic stunts, jaw dropping martial arts choreography, excellent pace execution mixing action, and romance, perfect chemistry between the cast members, and their roles, an over all perfect performance.

Storywise it's faithful to the original Fist of Fury, of course with little variations here and there which I won't mention in this review, so have fun identifying them. Pretty straightforward story, Chen Zhen (Jet Li) comes home to Jingwu Mun and finds out that his sifu was killed during a duel with the master of the Kokuryu (Dark Dragon) clan.

With deep knowledge of his sifu's unequaled skill, and superiority in the martial arts, he could not have lost so easy a battle. Thinking that there might have been foul play involved, he begins his investigation but only to be deemed sacriligious, and disrespectful after digging up his master's corpse in order to conduct an autopsy. From here on out jealousy, intrigue, plot twists, and incredible fight sequences ensues. Everything from internal conflicts, to the Japanese Imperial Army are all trying to silence Chen Zhen's ultimate quest for justice.

Now on the technical side of things, director Gordon Chan's screenplay keeps the story and plot interesting, while Yuen Wo Ping's martial arts mastery keeps the fighting sequences very fast, and fluid.

The setting is very well done with the exact replica of the century its representing. The costume design cannot be authentic enough, from Master Funakoshi's kenpo attire, to Mitsuko's gorgeous kimono, General Fujita's Imperial Army uniform, to Chen Zhen's all black neru banded collar suit. The soundtrack is very well done by the use of exotic sounds of bamboo flutes, percussions, and drums. The fighting sequences are to sum it up, is impossible to describe into words.

The choreography is truly Yuen Wo Ping's masterpiece. His signature trademark 'dust on impact just adds more depth to the already spectacular fighting sequences. With his choreography, Jet Li's high octane martial arts delivery, (although Jet Li's the star, he's by no means the only one that has awesome moves in his repetoire.) Yasuaki Kurata as Master Funakoshi's double aerial kick must be seen to be believed, and Billy Chau's, General Fujita versus Jet Li's, Chen Zhen at the final battle inside the dojo is a true spectacle to behold.

This is by far the only final battle sequence that can ever give Bruce Lee's legendary final battle against Han, in Enter the Dragon, a run for its money. Even still Bruce Lee was and still is the man that started it all, and as far as I'm concerned Bruce Lee is and his classic films are unfadable, and definitely untouchable

In conclusion having seen this movie a million times and counting, I personally cannot express enough my deepest emotions to recommend this modern martial arts classic to everyone. Any age, any sex, martial arts fan or not unless the person is dead and not breathing, everyone that has the appreciation for solid piece of film making will get a kick out of this Jet Li flick.