I don't even know where to start on this one. "This time, it's war." Way to rip off the "Aliens" tag line. What a self absorbed piece of crap this is. Here's a movie that tries its best to have some sort of message and deep meaning, but only comes out looking garbage. Tatsuya Fujiwara (who plays Shuya Nanahara) fails big time at portraying a tough as nails terrorist leader. (A terrorist with a heart, how meaningful. Fail.) This movie is overflowing with characters with zero development, that essentially are nothing more than disposable meat. At least "Battle Royale" gets you to care about the characters. This movie could care less. The few (3) characters to have promise go nowhere.

Our lead character, Takuma Aoi (played by Shugo Oshinari) is a sniveling pussy that thinks he's a badass. Hooray, we get another douchebag as a lead we're supposed to cheer for. No! The character of Shiori Kitano (daughter of the previous film's Kitano) has promise, but like everything about this movie, fails. Riki Takeuchi (of "Dead or Alive") shows up to give maybe his worst performance ever. Quite fitting considering the film this is. Why would the Japanese military send untrained kids to fight a war for them? Why would said military fit those kids with EXPLOSIVE collars, that can only hinder the kids' chance at victory? Why would anyone actually like this movie?

Can you believe I watched this twice? I wanted to give this movie a chance, but it just plain sucks. I've seen a lot a shitty films in my day, but at least most of those were entertaining. This is a straight up pathetic attempt at being a "provocative, war" movie, that so blatantly tries to be controversial, it actually ceases to do so. Terrible.

This one doubles as not only my favorite Gordon Liu movie but also as my favorite Shaw Brothers movie. I know there are so many to choose from and you think that one is the best and dude over there is all like "what about the '36th Chamber'?" Well, chill, we're talking about my favorites now, not yours. We talk about your favorites in your review, sucka.

Lau Kar Leung crafts this movie and its fight scenes with inspired perfection. Gordon Liu dishes out the goods with the jack-of-all trades fu by demonstrating that old school multiple proficiency that pretty much died in the 90's when everyone could just have a single gimmick and still get by. This movie is not only arguably Gordon Liu's best martial arts performance but also Yasuaki Kurata's as well. You have to wait all the way to the end to see Yasuaki finally get down; but when he does, HOLY SHIT, he's a fuckin' smokin' now! (Maybe, just maybe, there is one "Family Guy" fan out there who got that reference. Probably not.)

Anyhow, this film has got one of the best complilations of variety in martial arts styles and weapons put to use. The Japanese performers and characters are all straight-up bad-asses, and really Japanese, unlike many other Chinese films that used Chinese actors and portrayed the Japanese as bitch-made predatory miscreants. I'm not judging, I'm just sayin'. Well, I guess to truly complete a review for this movie I got to give up my favorite fight. Damn, there are so many to choose from, but if I had to pick one favorite I would cheat and say the entire end fight with Gordon and Yasuaki, which is basically like 3-4 fights in one. I don't mean to beat a dying horse (unless it's called for or I'm bored or something), but Mr. Kurata is so frickin' slick it's unreal. The man handles a ninja-to like he was born holding one, and his crab style is one of the dopest, slickest and most creative things I have ever seen. This movie has everything for martial arts lovers including a tough chick.

I also got to say Buddha bless Dragon Dynasty for releasing these perfectly digitally remastered fu classics with the original subtitles and dubbings while including all kinds of sweet bonuses like interviews with the legends that made these movies possible. Make sure this is in your collection. Essential and severely enjoyable.

Why did I wait? This turned out to be one of the best martial arts movies I've ever seen. Yeah, sure, it's not realistic that this little chick could kick all this ass; but let's call a spade a spade: we don't watch martial arts movies for realism. Uma Thurman got to do it in "Kill Bill", and Jeeja Yanin deserves the same kind of props for the incredibly acrobatic, intricate, and downright dangerous screen fighting she unleashed in "Chocolate".

I know that giving a film 5 stars is a loud statement, and I'm not trying to state that this film is perfect. It's not. Definitely not. But despite its imperfections, the action was just so fun, the choreography so exciting and often unexpected, that I'm willing to err on the side of generosity for this little film that could.

I, for one, can't wait to see more of Jeeja Yanin. If this is just her starting point, I can't imagine what else she could achieve onscreen in the coming years.

I have to give this *****, because it is executed at a level beyond the ****1/2 films I have rated - but it is not really as monumental a film as most others I have placed in this rarified category. It's not "fine art," but an action flick that is just a hell of a lot of fun.

The film's storyline often mirrors what was done in many films of its kind, like director John G. Avildsen's "The Karate Kid" and Robert Radler's "Showdown" co-starring Billy Blanks. This may or may not be a bad thing, depending on your opinion.

But with all else said and done to create this film with the little budget it had, the film doesn't waste anytime on any one subject. The characters are colorful, quirky, and bring the very foundation that the film needs to deliver itself as a true kung fu classic for martial arts enthusiasts everywhere!

It's amazing how DVD distributors seemed to have totally forgotten this film. It's also pretty damn sad too.

In any event, hopefully it will not be long until this film, and the several films that follow it within the NRNS franchise finally get the respect and recognition that has been long earned and well deserved.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: "No Retreat No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder", "No Retreat No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers", "King Of The Kickboxers", "American Shaolin", "Superfights", "Bloodmoon", "Mortal Kombat", "Drive: Director's Cut", "U.S. Seals 2: The Ultimate Force", "Special Forces", "Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing", "Bound By Blood", "Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon" and "The Shepherd".

"The Boxer From Shantung" tells the story of Ma Wing Jing with film, effectively following the typical "gangster epic" mould of an impoverished individual's rise to prominence (albeit with disastrous results). This epic production is rightly regarded as a genuine classic of the genre, featuring solid performances from all involved and several crisply choreographed set-piece scenarios (culminating in the atypically brutal conclusive sequence).

An absolute blast from beginning to end, "The Boxer From Shantung" stands out as one of Chang Cheh's finest endeavours and is one of the most engaging narrative-led kung fu films of the early 1970's.

The movie centers around three martial arts students and their master seeking revenge on a mysterious and very angry kung fu villian, played by Kwan Feng, who enjoys challenging and humiliating local kung fu masters.

The story gets interesting when the three students run away from their sifu after he loses face in a defeat to this traveling master of disaster. The students run away to learn better fighting skills in order to take revenge for their embarrased teacher.

The students eventually find masters to teach them various kung fu skills and now it's revenge time.

Hats off to action director Hsu Hsia and the always flawless Hau Chiu Sing. "Five Superfighters" is a very entertaing kung fu film.

The action in this movie is the kind of action that makes you say, "Daamm!! Did you see that?!" I could vividly see the downtown movie theater exploding with excitement, with every action scene.

I have to admit the start was a little slow, but something keeps you glued. Maybe it's the anticipation or curiosity of seeing martial arts cinema's newest sensation, Jeeja Yanin, strut her stuff. Or maybe it was the track record of the filmmaking team that produced this film and Tony Jaa's two smash hits. Whatever the reason, this film captivates the viewer.

The fight choreography is innovative and exciting and long overdue! My only hope is that the stunt men didn't permanentely injure themselves. Stunt work should be realistic LOOKING, without get seriously injured. Safety should always be the priority for any filmmaker!

All in all, this is a very engaging film. Go get it!

Only two things stop me from giving this a perfect rating. #1: As you may know already, it just twists my panties up when Hollywood makes these martial arts flicks and seem to forget to cast martial artists for the lead roles. This can often depreciate the spectrum of suspension of disbelief, but thankfully we have Yuen Wo Ping and Zoe Bell to smooth out those rough edges. #2 This movie is volume 1, meaning that it is one half of a movie and other issues and factors of volume two affect this movie as a result. I have several problems with volume 2 but we will get into that another time. Here is a little taste: Why the fuck does she bother going through all the trouble to get this dope ass, high quality sword for a five second sword fight that ends with a hokey "secret kung fu technique"?!? Her final battle with Bill was insulting. She didn't even need a sword to take on Krusty the Bill and she could have just shot up the "House of Blue Leaves" or whatever so why get the sword? But, alas, I digress. I definitely think that volume one is much better than volume two but I'm a samurai man myself (like you couldn't tell) so I can see how those cowboys out there might disaree with me.

As a film on its own that stands on an unanswered cliff hanger I give it 4.5 stars, but if I were to grade it as a whole including volume 2 I would give it 3.5 stars for the simple fact that the second act (much like "Battle Royale 2") disregards all of the sensibilities of the first act. I know that was the point but it was still annoying.

FINAL SUMMATION: Very enjoyable and energetic genre meld (it's a crime noir/kung fu/samurai/revenge/dramedy). The bloody end battles will keep you giddy for hours after viewing. Entertaining and worth every cent. Quentin cranks out quality. Repeatedly. Get it if you don't got it; you will have fun. Thanks for the time. I'll be at you.

Jet is a much better actor and infinitely better martial artist than Bruce Lee. ...ducks under desk to avoid rabid Bruce Lee fans throwing flying guillotine handkerchief thingies... If the cast and crew had tried to perfectly recreate Bruce Lee it would never have succeeded. Bruce and Jet could hardly be more opposite. Jet with some "soft" Wushu and supposedly Jeet Kune(?)

[Hmmm... I wonder what all those people are going to do with that pile of wood around that stake?] was Bruce's own style. Bruce was a straight on kind of fighter. Jet creates a circle and draws you in. So can we agree to respect each others opinion in discussing this highly charged issue? (these people are so full of sh&t they actually think I would care what they said! Respect? As If!) but it is important to treat everyone the same, no one is better or worse...(Oh I can't stand it!)

Honestly I don't think either of them can be put in a box. Jet uses acrobatic moves and is very fluid. Bruce was very much the one punch kills three people and rock hard in his attacks. You just can't compare them. So to those who disagree with me that's cool. (Idiots!)

Those who are hard core fans of Bruce can tell you all you want to know about Bruce, and you will find plenty of experts. I simply cannot see the appeal. I do not enjoy the sounds of cats being skinned alive either.

And now for something completely different we go now to the masterful martial arts.

"Fist Of Legend" is based partially on a real person living in the late 20's to 30's. He was Chinese and his name was Chen Zhen. He was studying at university in Japan when the tensions between local Japanese and Chinese who were in the country was very tense. Chen Zhen is in class when the Black Dragon Japanese gang storms into the classroom. One of the Japanese students tries to intervene and is assaulted. Jet very calmly and deliberately walks to one of the thirty guys and then completely beats up and breaks up every one, the resounding "crack" of bones snapping filling the air.

Chen Zhen suddenly finds out that his Master from his School has been killed by a Sensei of a local Black Dragon school in China. The Sensei of the Black Dragons informs Chen Zhen and Chen Zhen even reads about it in a Japanese newspaper. When Chen Zhen arrives at home the new Master, his father dead, is about to answer a challenge. Chin Sui Ho (Tai Chi Master, Crazy Shaolin Disciples, [terrible film btw]) easily defeats his opponent who behaves very impolitely. Chen Zhen is impressing the school's students with his newly learned techniques he was taught in Japan. The Master however is beginning to feel he is losing his students to Chen Zhen. The House is still in mourning and the new Master welcomes Chen Zhen home and after he pays respects to his dead Master he insists on challenging the Japanese Sensei that killed the Master. But this is more than just a standard you killed my...whatever, and now I will fight you for the sake of honor, maybe train a bit too. When Chen Zhen reaches the Dojo he encounters rude Japanese students who attack him. Bad idea. When he asks to see the Sensei the students end up scattered about with serious injuries.

The Sensei agrees to a match with Chen Zhen to settle the matter of school and somewhat racial matters as well. It's not long before Chen Zhen realizes his opponent could never have won an honest contest with his deceased Master, and without consulting the family he discovers his Master was poisoned. Then Chen Zahn is set up as having killed the local Sensei. With no one to testify knowing his whereabouts the trial is not going well until his Japanese girlfriend (the beautiful and talented Nackayama Shinobu), Mitsuko arrives in China to keep him from going to jail. Fortunately the characters become ones we care about, and not just two dimensional people walking through the film. That is one difference between the "Bruce Version" which is really another movie, and "Fist Of Legend". Chiun Siu Ho is another example. He is an excellent actor and martial artist, so why did he not rise higher in film? It's not for lack of talent, that's for certain! He plays Jet's Shaolin brother in Tai Chi Master and he is wonderful both in acting, martial arts/swordplay. Tsui Hark suggests he is too attractive, not ruggedly handsome - too cute to think he could be taken seriously. Well they were wrong! I think he could do just about any role given to him. Unfortunately he faded away as have others that should have been in more movies and deserved respect for their skills. But you have the pleasure of seeing him fight and act in this movie.

The Japanese Sensei (in real life as well) is played by Yasuaki Kurata. To say he is excellent is an understatement! This Master is skilled in the very real martial arts as well as how to look like a martial artist. He is sent from Japan to fight with Chen Zhen, and what an amazing fight it is! If you want a brief idea of this man's talent look no further than "Fist Of Legend"!

One person who has spent his life on screen getting beat up and beating up others, finally gets a chance to be a real person in a film. That man is Billy Chow. Billy has always been relegated to the "big bad guy" usually seen at the end of a movie and no matter how much bad ass he throws around he usually gets killed before he says two connected words. (Grunting doesn't count) Billy plays a tough talking and even more tough fighting Japanese general who is supposed to keep things in order as far as the Japanese possession of Shanghai. Of course that means he will be dealing with Chen Zhen and the school sooner or later. As the general he shows more depth than just a brute following orders. He believes in what he is doing in scheming and shows a love of his country, in his own way. The pre - war tensions between Japan and China are treated with tact in the movie. It focuses more on the characters experiences as opposed to the WAR. I think it makes a better and more realistic view than simply good or bad. Chow is totally believable as the general and as a major bad ass who is tough as nails, literally. Chow was injured in the last fight scene and is so humble he didn't want people to know on the set he had some wood in his leg, but the blood gave it away. This guy is amazing!

"Fist Of Legend" succeeds not only because of Jet, but because it is a story not just an excuse to watch mostly wire fu - less top of the art magnificent Jet Li!!! Jet has made many great films but "Fist Of Legend" is at least in the top three! His power, agility, speed, finesse...the man is a true Master.

There are many moments of creative brilliance and comedic excellence, yet it still maintained a good amount of homage content. Completely needed for a complete Asian film collection if only to see soccer balls get jump-spin-kicked. All around fun. And it's that good kind of humor that just makes you feel good inside like when you watched Paris Hilton go to jail.

When I use the term "devoted" I mean it in the truest sense. Lau Kar-Leung, the director, was intent to show the Chinese people in their real environment and to explain how some events came to pass that affected so very many. The movie grabs you right from the beginning. The credits are not even through when you are swept up in a frenzy of battle. The Shaolin Temple has been attacked yet again as the Ching rulers determined to finally kill all Shaolin and their sympathizers! Pai Mei is a treacherous killer supported by the Manchurians. He is a highly advanced fighter who fights with the aged last priest and kills him. Pai Mei's forces continue the slaughter as a very few Shaolin followers left try to escape. When they find Tung he is mortally wounded and insists the others, including his best friend Hung Hze-Kwan (Chen Kwan Tai) save themselves. Even Pai Mei admits Tung has died a hero. Hung is one of the few survivors and with the others that escape they realize they have no chance of survival and so seek out opera and entertainment shows that travel by boat, red boats to be more specific. In that way they can recognize supporters and be able to escape the soldiers always hunting them.

The red ships go to Canton and that is where Hung meets a spirited martial artist Yung Chun (Lily Li-li) he falls in love with upon seeing her beautiful face. They marry and she and her father join the troupe. But Bak Mei has no intention of letting a single "rebel" escape. He is informed the Shaolin escapees travel on the red boats. He sends his army to destroy them all. Fortunately they discover the plan and scatter across the land, pledging to meet again to kill Pai Mei. Life begins to seem somewhat safe again and he is ecstatic when Yung Chun delivers a baby boy they name Wen-Ding. Although Hung loves his family he finds himself obsessed by revenge upon Pai Mei. For more than a decade Hze Kwan trains hard using in the Tiger Claw form. Even as he trains he is haunted by those that have died, especially his friend Tung. Feeling as powerful as he can be with all those years of training he sets off for the old Shaolin Temple and the final battle with Pai Mei. Unfortunately it doesn't take long before he realizes he not only will lose the match but his life as well! He is the only one who arrives as agreed and is near death when his old friend Hu sacrifices his life to save Hung. But he is in bad shape physically and mentally for the loss of his great friend. With his wife nursing him back to health he is even more determined to have revenge. Amongst the vicious blows and strikes Hung is able to observe some of the characteristics and learns that you must hit certain areas, at specific times in order to best him. His whole focus now is training. He virtually ignores his son and is always talking about techniques and how to avoid them. Hung practices on a device, a human torso sized metal replica that contains ball bearings. He works constantly on improving his speed in catching the balls as they fall through the device. (I have never seen such a training device before this movie nor after.) Hung knows this will be his last chance to defeat his enemy. He is confident but also a bit sad because he knows he may not escape this time. But he is resigned to that as long as he completes his mission successfully.

His family waits but he does not return and his wife explains to their son he will not be coming back and why. Wen-Ding vows vengeance but he has only been trained by his mother in the Crane Form. He knows it alone will not be enough for the task and finds his father's book teaching the Tiger Claw style and begins to practice that as well. But part of the training book is missing, forcing him to combine the Crane and Tiger Claw style as one form, which came to be known as the Hung Gar form. Wen-Ding at last feels ready and sets off for the temple and the final showdown.

[SPOILERS] Wen-Ding is nimble and agile, managing to evade most of the strikes. But since he had perfected a skill unknown to his enemy he is at last able to kill him and bring about long awaited revenge. [END SPOILERS]

There are a couple of notes about this epic. Lau Kar Leung is passionate about representing the people, not only in fighting but in daily life as well. In every movie he directs he makes certain to show the bravery and heroism of "simple" people. One reason he takes such steps in movies about the end of Shaolin is because the Hung Gar form is his own family's form, the Hung Fist. It is said that Lau Kar Leung's father was taught by the real life Wong Fei-Hung.

[SPOILERS] There are two different versions of this film. They are virtually identical from each other except in the very last moments of the fight between Wen-Ding and Pai Mei. The first version I saw many years ago shows Wen-Ding with crane hold on Pai Mei, legs wrapped around his shoulders as he gouges out the eyes and near rips off his face and head. However newer releases stop short of any viciousness or blood by having a subtitle that says something about the hero is courageous (I really don't recall) but the point is that somewhere along the way someone chopped off the ending which I find an injustice. The movie should be seen as it was made! [END SPOILERS]

Hung (Gordon Liu) manages to kill Pai Mei (Lo Lieh) and is happy he can finally rest and not worry about the bad guys anymore. Hung longs to have a simple home with a women he loves. The leader of the bad guys have no intention of letting him stay alive. For revenge the clan attacks the village where Hung lives and kills everyone except Hung and his sister-in-law.

I don't know who wrote the script, but the dialogue isn't very useful to the movie itself. There are still a lot of questions left unanswered. Even after watching it several times there are several elements that cause confusion including Lo Lieh being more than one villain. Hung realizes he doesn't have the skills he needs in order to defeat his foe and his sister-in-law (Kara Hui) teaches him *soft* embroidery style that provides another skill.

Hsiao Ho is listed in the cast but I certainly didn't see him but I did notice some of the stunt men acrobatic stunts tended to be the same making me wonder if he was playing different people for action scenes.

One thing you can be sure of is better than expected fight scenes. The one-on-one are all with Liu and Lieh. The fact they are both excellent fighters and the fighting directors experience is extensive is the saving grace of the film. Unfortunately there are lengthy attempts at humor and they don't work - just way too much time talking and not enough fighting. And a few abilities that go beyond typical physical fighting skills. For example Pak Mei has the unique ability to defy gravity and simply float away from an attack by anyone. He also has a secret place in his body where his life force is contained so that if his adversary grows near the target he flies away and moves it to a different part of his body.

There are some very good action fight scenes, in fact they are the saving grace of the whole film. It is credit to Lieh, Liu and the experienced stunt fight stuntmen who make the movie worth watching. I have been told by many people into martial arts movies that this is a real classic, and a must see. I cannot go that far. It was filmed at a time when the money makers were trying to figure out why the interest in martial arts was beginning to wane.

(According to HKFlix this film is allegedly part of a trilogy, which includes (in order) "Men From The Monastery", "Executioners From Shaolin", and "Fist Of The White Lotus".)

This was not an easy film to review. I am always concerned about providing accurate information even in a small detail. But what seems to be correct, after a little investigation has sometimes turned out to be wrong. I have provided as much as I am comfortable with but I'm certain those with more experience can supply a much better review. One last thing. This does have enough decent fights to be entertaining even if are not aware of the Pak Mei background story.

I will say this as nicely as I can: THIS IS THE FILM THAT DEFINED KUNG FU FILMS AS WE SEE THEM TODAY! It's all about who got there first and it certainly WASN'T your precious Bruce Lee. No, no, no! It was Jimmy Wang Yu. Granted, I will admit that Bruce Lee was the one who implemented real martial arts in film, but he DID NOT start this. He did not convert Wuxin Pein into Kung Fu and I will fight to the death (literally) to prove that my superior logic overcomes weak and fragile stupidity. IN YOUR FACE! :)

Anyways, now that I'm over my male PMS (if that even exists), "The Chinese Boxer" is awesome. Lots of boxing and internal bleeding with a simple yet fun story. The fights were excellent. And yes, I know how you people want to justify your silly little comments over the idea that Jimmy doesn't know shit about kung fu, that he just swings his arms around like a tool. Plus comparing him to some un-credible director or actor. Well, you are consummately wrong. Jimmy is a brawler. He just beats people to death and I think it wonderful. His screen presence is bad-ass and you will cry knowing how wrong you truly are.

Not Jimmy's best film, but still it kicks ass and I'll say it again: CHINESE BOXER DEFINES ALL KUNG FU FILMS OF TODAY! Now if you'll excuse me, I must assimilate my retard pills!

TWENTY MOVIES THAT KICK THE SHIT OUT OF "CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON" IN EITHER MARTIAL ARTS OR OVERALL GRANDEUR: (in no particular order)

1. "Seven Samurai"
2. "Once Upon A Time In China"
3. "Fist Of Legend"
4. "A Man Called Hero"
5. "Seven Swords"
6. "In The Line Of Duty 4"
7. "Tom Yum Goong"
8. "Ong Bak"
9. "Iron Monkey" (the Tsui Hark one)
10. "Prodigal Son"
11. "Enter The Dragon"
12. "Blade Of Fury"
13. "Hero" (Jet Li)
14. "Dragons Forever"
15. "SPL"
16. "Dragon Tiger Gate"
17. "Lone Wolf And Cub" (all of them)
18. "Versus"
19. "Duel To The Death"
20. "Star Wars" (again, all of them)