With any space/time/other universe films you have to suspend your disbelief in order to accept the premise. Because Jet believed in the charactor the audience does as well. And there is always something that defies explanation you must accept or stop watching films of this nature. The One has the same obstacles. Jet did a great job! He made the roles in other universes believable. For once they actually had a real story behind the action. Gabe (Li) has a wife and dog and a house. Jet was exceptional in coming to terms with another 'him'. People usually expect kick butt action with Jet and there is plenty to go around. Having to fight yourself is a huge undertaking and thankfully they didn't resort to the old split screen. The One really hinged upon the believability factor that it was possible for other universes; another "you". Fortunately the film makers did not try to explain too much which would have really bogged down the story.

The differences between the good and bad Jet were present but the director does not hit the viewer over the head to make sure the audience knows what is unfolding. The scene where both are "getting clear" but in such very different ways made the viewer believe there were two! Fans of sci - fi or martial arts will definitely enjoy The One!

It's worth the cost of rental just to see Jet as a blond. :)

He learns this person is the "unicorn" a member of their family. Unicorn is disabled and requires a crutch but with Jackie so upset even he can take him down. In order to have a match and win for the sake of his grandfather he must train to build his body and mind. Some of the training is amazing, but then what would we expect of an early Jackie Chan movie? In order to win he has to use all of his emotions to confuse the enemy and to bring forth all of his skills.

One day after training he goes home only to find Unicorn missing. He follows the tracks and just barely saves Unicorn from death. The rest....well see for yourself!

The second disc. Remove from package, throw in the trash and never look back.

It isn't even a movie. This is a pieced together mess courtesy of Lo Wei. By this time in Jackie's career he and Wei were not on good terms. Wei was demanding another movie and when Jackie refused Wei dredged up clips from other Jackie movies including edited portions of Fearless Hyena, Spiritual Kung Fu, etc. I couldn't stand watching the whole thing and so made much use of the FF option. A lot of people including the "unicorn" take a sword to the gut or neck. I lost track of how many get killed off but it was indicative of Wei's anger. Jackie fought hard to prevent the second film from ever being released, but Golden Harvest settled out of court with Wei, and the horrid movie remains today.

Mom and dad are brilliant, capable fighting machines for the goverment. A new and improved weapon, the Power Glove, was designed to supersize the abilities of the person using it. But as such things usually turn out to be it was not only used for good. One of the agents steals the Power Glove with help from a dazed and sedated looking Biao. Through flashbacks we learn that dad was working on an invincible type of martial art called the "Avenging Fist" when things started to go wrong. While mom is about to deliver *enhanced* twins dad is being brain - washed by the evil leader and Samo must use the Power Glove to stop a still dazed looking Biao, and everyone presumes he dies from his injuries. But no, he lives on as a virtual slave. One day Darth, I mean dad is sent to bring back one of his own children to the evil leader. It so happens it is the kid's birthday. Mom decides it's time to give Nova the Power Glove his father wanted him to have. Just in the nick of time because dad is breaking down the walls and engages mom in a fight as she tries to protect her kids. Of course she loses quickly and evokes a memory in dad of early times. We know that he is tortured because he makes a tortured soul yell under the cheap mask over his nose and mouth. Mom is fading and in her last few breaths she tells Nova to save his sister, whom has just been kidnapped by dad. However there are still bad guys remaining so he practices on them and then falls apart because he killed someone. This is to show us he has emotions plus it gives a couple of lines to his girlfriend. Meanwhile Ironsurfer is fighting dad, and unlike every other person who dared battle with Darth dad he isn't dead yet. Dad knocks down Ironsurfer about twenty times. This is to show us the kid is not a quiter and he will not give up a battle. Right before he is incinerated or tossed through a wall Samo shows up to save him and to blast his opponent. Oops too late. Dad has carried off daughter. Darn! This means the movie is not over yet!

The ambience has been said to be "dark", like Blade Runner. Unfortunately it is nothing like Blade Runner. The darkness doesn't tell us anything - except it is dark. We know it is in the future because Samo wears a hat covered with aluminum foil (really!)The CGI looks as though it was done on an Atari computer. The bad guys were Nazi looking clothing right down to the boots. I suppose they were going for a good vs. evil tone but it didn't work. The film just dissolves into a mess all the time playing loud and annoying muusic. People flying around sans flight vehicles, ridiculous dialogue and atrocious acting with nary a plot - don't get this one or you will most definitely regret it!

Although a man now Ting (Phanom Yeerum) (Tony Jaa) was abandoned as a baby at a poor village where he was raised by monks. He learned the martial arts form of Thai boxing but is forbidden to use his skills for money. When the head of Ong Bok, their village statue of Buddha, is stolen by Don, Ting goes to Bangkok to find it and must have it back at the village in seven days for the festival of Ong Bok.

Ting locates a former villager named George who left for the big city to find his fortune. George never found his fortune and has resorted to cheating in gambling and selling drugs. He is adament that he will only help locate Ong Bok if he gets some money first. Ting refuses, but George manages to steal his money bag and dashes off to gamble it on fights in a seedy area of town.

These fights are without rules or gear. Just mano y mano. The fighters are vicious and driven for status and money. Ting accidently is mistaken for a fighter and attacked. The opponent makes a charge and Ting takes him down with one kick. He collects his money bag but refuses any fight money. Unfortunately in order to find Don he needs to return to the same bar. A large Australian is busy beating the crap out of his opponent. Then he turns his attention to a waitress and her boyfriend can take no more and challenges the Australian using Thai Boxing. Except that he has no idea what he is doing and before long he is getting kicked and stomped to death. No one can understand why Ting won't use his skills to save the Thai man, but he remembers his promise to his uncle he would not use Thai Boxing unless absolutely must. However when the fighter hits the waitress who is trying to save her boyfriend, Ting has had enough. Several fights ensue showing the amazing Thai Boxing style.

What is so unique about Tony Jaa (Phanom Yeerum)is that he does not use wires - never. It's been many years since a martial arts movie has been made with "no strings attached". It is indeed a pleasure to see pure human ability!!!!

The second disc is crammed with about three hours of "the making of" etc. It also contains deomstrations, the schools where kids train with the hope of being one of the best. They have a lot of competition. There are approximately 500,000 known Thai fighters in Thailand.

Tony had been working with the director over three years to make this movie. It was important to both that it be perfect. And it is!

Jet trains and wants to get revenge as soon as possible. He has to develop more skills if he is going to kill the warlord. He has difficulty fitting in because Shaolin Monks are not supposed to be out for revenge. It's during this time he meets a young woman who tends sheep, who is the daughter of one of the monks. He fathered her before becoming a Shaolin Monk.

Jet cannot control his desire for revenge and so he leaves Shaolin and goes looking for the man who killed his father. When he finds him he also discovers the girl who tended sheep has been kidnapped by the warlord. He uses a varity of forms including Drunken Boxing. He rescues the girl but is unable to kill his sworn enemy.

Times are difficult and the warlord attacks the Shaolin Temple. Jet (and everyone else) have to fight long and hard to save Shaolin. When the Abbot is killed the monks lose their peaceful order. A fantastic end fight scene is the icing on the cake. You are never going to see so many real martial artists fighting at the same time! It is a very long and you will be glad it is!

Can he ever find peace in his heart? See it and find out! You will be watching it more than once. The gore factor is excellent, only a bit here or there.

This is a wonderful movie--a real gem!

The Americans are celebrating and bragging about the bomb that stopped the Japanese. They give no credit to the men who fought and died fighting the Japanese any way they could. When an officers car runs over a civilian an angry crowd gathers and Jet is the angriest. A Captain, who is very tall steps out of the car and moves towards Jet. A brief struggle ensues and they drive off. Jet spends a great deal of the movie getting the hell beat out of him. He is always fighting guys twice his size. So different from virtually all others. In the final fight scene you start to see Jet is not the same . He has been changed by the war and every repercussion. The murders he is avenging. The innocence is gone. His expressions make him look older and world weary but his moves are wire free and very creative. The end fight is brutal but well deserved. Anyone who saw these movies knew Jet has a special place in the world of martial arts.

The film opens with a poor village in the northern region of Thailand. The village's statue of a Buddha, Ong Bok is nearing the time of celebration. The villagers believe Ong Bok has magical and holy powers that keep the village safe. After a former villager named Don is rebuffed when he wants to buy an amulet from the chief of the village he returns at night and cuts off Ong Bok's head to sell. The village is in turmoil, certain that disaster looms. Someone must go to Bangkok to find and return Ong Bok's head before the official ceremonies which are only a week away. But who? Ting (Tony Jaa) immediately announces he will do it himself. Ting has more reason than the other villagers to be so quick to volunteer. He was left as a baby at the Monk's Temple and they raised him and taught him the martial art called Thai Boxing. If you think you have seen true Thai Boxing you haven't. By the second chapter Ting goes through some of the forms he has been taught. His teacher/monk forbids him to ever use Thai Boxing to make money. Ting's uncle also warns him not to use it unless he absolutely must. The villagers scrape up what money they can but the evil Don took the donations too! But Soon Ting is on his way to Bangkok.

The transition between the gentle peaceful people of the village is in stark, jarring contrast to Bangkok, and it works well.

Ting goes looking for the chief's son who fled to the city years ago and earns money selling drugs, cheating at cards and betting almost all of it away. George, is helped in his schemes by Muay, a young woman with an older sister who takes and sells drugs. Ting finds George and wants him to take him to Don's address. George keeps saying he will but he doesn't follow through. When George steals money from the villagers it forces Ting to enter the underworld of illegal fighting and gambling. As Ting attempts to get the villagers money back he is mistaken for a fighter. When he is attacked he does one move only, thereby inheriting the title of champion. The gangs and others George owes money to arrive to beat him up the gang also goes after Muay and Ting.

What follows is the most incredible, amazing, jaw dropping sequence of stunts and martial arts moves you will ever see!!! The chase is on and provides Ting with a plethora of things he must jump over, or through or under, clearly demonstrating not only martial arts but also his amazing acrobatic talents.

It seems there is nothing he cannot do! There are several stunts that will literally take your breath away and more than a few that are very dangerous.

When searching for Don he ends up back at the bar and is cheered as the new champion but Ting only wants to find Don. Ting is drawn into the fighting and has had enough.

He quickly dispatches the fighters but misses Don again. George finally leads Ting to Don's address. A brief scuffle ensues and there begins one of the funniest chase scenes ever!

Tony Jaa stars as Ting. His gentle thoughtful side is balanced by his ability to make mush out of anyone who deserves it. What truly sets him apart - he never uses wires! That's right, all Tony. No wires, harnesses or anything like it. He trains relentlessly, 8 - 10 hours a day. His commitment to accuracy and form is unheard of, at least since quite a few years ago when Jackie and Jet and Yuen Biao also relied on only their body, no strings attached. One reason Tony trains so much is because it greatly reduces injury for everyone. There were even more fight scenes they could have used but didn't. The audience would have demanded they be left in the movie. But there is no shortage of Jaa or fights and stunts. People will want to watch it several times to make sure they didn't miss anything, and that is just the uncut Thai version movie portion. There is also the theatrical version which is shorter by four minutes or so...

Tony Jaa has said he would like to be a big hit in Thailand, and Hollywood, maybe later Well Tony I don't think you know how many in the US have been waiting for your arrival!

If not for a friend sending it to me to get my opinion I doubt I would have ever watched it. I think Paana has a deathwish - at least for the stuntmen. Things blow up. People blow up... oh wait the plot. Actually that is the plot, more or less. A cop depressed over his partner's death while busting a drug warlord joins his sister on a trip to a remote Thai village. They also join a small group of soccer players, coach and gymnastic performers who come armed with soccer balls.

No sooner than they arrive a gang of hard core bad ass dudes show up and capture the village, holding the residents as ransom to get their evil drug lord out of jail. The bad guys also have a nuclear weapon(s?) they threaten to use. (what, are they going to have the soccer player kick it into space?)Thanks to the "plot" and the horrible acting I found myself incapable of caring what happened to anyone. Before long I was actually hoping someone would fiddle with the nuke and end my misery! No such luck.

The makers of this crap have the audacity to compare it to Ong-Bok! Some of the same people show up minus a script and Tony Jaa, but armed to the max. Hey if you get hit by a soccer ball it could hurt. But not to worry this mess is overflowing with gratuitous violence! There are enough rounds of ammo and explosive devices to give John Woo ballistic envy! Dueling semi's, dueling vehicles, dueling acrobatics (I kid you not)and children who get to watch mommy and daddy get blown into pieces. Bullets fly, arms and legs fly, brains fly, the poor villagers homes fly - the only thing that doesn't fly is the script! The athletes manage to turn peace loving Thais into psychotic, sadistic killing machines in only a few minutes.

The "Heroes" look like Team Adidas.

How many new action stars are there in Thailand? That title clearly goes to Tony Jaa, but the cover boasts Dan Chupong, who is not going to be the next martial arts phenomenon, trust me. If you want to see villagers attacked by bad guys get Seven Samurai or if you must have a western movie you could get the Mangificent Seven, a bastardization of the Japanese movie directed by Akira Kurosawa. On the other hand if you are content to watch mindless violence for 97 minutes then Born To Fight is the movie for you.

This review is for a VCD that has a Thai audio with English subtitles. Actually let me make this more clear, if possible. At times the subtitles come and go--and in different languages. Sometimes it is obvious that a scene or dialogue is missing but it really doesn't matter.

Two archeologists (thieves?) searching the golden triangle manage to find the "Golden Stone". With thieves chasing them one is cut down by bullets and the other manages to hide the stone before being captured by a gang loyal to a general with money, therefore power in the region. The general imprisons and tortures the archeologist, demanding the location of the golden stone. In the meantime the scientists daughter, Vicky, rounds up men to help her get her father from the crazy general. Tony Jaa does get to do some fighting but it is hard to see since one third of it is off screen. If you are someone who MUST have all Tony's movies, well here you are. Otherwise spend the money on the "blowouts" movies. You are will surely find something at least as (good?) bad? as "Mission Hunter 2"!

In his overwhelming desperation to find another Bruce Lee, Clause missed the talents of Jackie completely.

Everyone, including Jackie had their own ideas they insisted were the only way to go. The result was a big time movie mess.And Warner Brothers was backing it until something, who knows?, and pulled out of the deal. No one paid any attention to continuity, wardrobe, props, product placement, the set or much of anything else. But there are some good points too. Jackie manages to use his acrobatic skills and usual fight with what you have style. He pulls off some unique moves while looking cool. Jackie insisted on bringing in his of own stuntmen to fight men. That did help but you still have the feeling life has become slow motion.

* To those who have stated that Jackie "hates" this movie, Jackie says that about EVERY movie that he did not direct, produce, head choreographer, etc. Jackie wants and usually receives everything and more that he needs.

There are a number of sub plots including Biao's father living in a mental hospital and a neighbor with a wife ready to kill him for his philandering ways. As it turns out Biao's father and Lola's mother are a couple, both living at the mental hospital, and Lola's mother just happens to be the woman Samo has been looking for, along with her daughter the only obstacle to the Count's money. The Count confessed to his wife and insists she track down the rightful heirs.

Things heat up when mother and daughter are kidnapped. If they don't claim the money in just days they will lose all claims. Samo, Jackie and Biao make up a team to rescue mother and daughter. The amazing acrobatics are pure Jackie! Trying to gain access to the mansion/castle is great fun to watch as each advances in their own style. Just as dinner is served the three rescuers move into action. And what action it is!!! Before long Jackie is fighting Benny "The Jet", the number one open handed fights I have ever seen!!!!

The end fight scene in Drunken Master II between Ken Lo and Jackie Chan is the best of the best but contain weapons at some points, and so is not in the same category. Just Jackie and Benny throwing all their skills and every ounce of energy into the best fight in cinema! I guarantee you will watch this scene more than once. There is no fighting with ladders or props - just the best damn fight scene you will ever watch!

Samo and Biao have their own battles to win. It's quite obvious Samo is dressed for a "double". It could be anyone in his clothes. The same is true for Biao but I have no verified reason why. The acrobatic fight certainly could be done well by Biao but again the outfit conceals well any identity.

Perhaps he was injured or shooting a different scene but it does make one wonder why the "disguise"?

A couple of notes about different versions. The VHS English dubbed version suffers from the same problem so many Hong Kong movies seen in the US - there is LOUD music and words or sounds not on the HK orginal. It's not too aparent how poor quality this version is visually until you see Wheels On Meals remastered. All the colors in the VHS version were terrible but the remastered DVD version looks and feels more real. The US version has another problem, at least for me. It has a run time of 107 minutes, while the HK version has run time at 103 or 4 minutes. Amazingly the editing was perfect! The scene cut was offensive in using the word "chink". Very good part to toss out. A few words at the end of the film have the term "Chinese Fire Drill". We all know that was not what a Chinese/Asian actor would say. That's what should happen when an edit is done. The movie only gained quality minus the scene.

Also in American versions of HK movies the music is too loud and the actors whine and yell etc. Hong Kong must believe that Asians expect less "sound" while the US demand more.

Aside from those minor concerns this an excellent film! Buy it don't rent it because you won't want to take it back!

His journey takes him all the way to Sydney, Australia. Along the way he finds help from several people including a police officer (George in Ong Bok)and a Thai woman who has been forced into prostitution.

I cannot rate this film less than a 10! I had the same response to Ong Bok but for different reasons. Anyone who thinks Tony Jaa can't act needs to see this movie! You can see some changes since Ong Bok. Tony is more relaxed and confident and always willing to not only push the envelope but to blow it wide open! You will not believe the near super - human feats without seeing them for yourselves!

In looking for his elephants he is not looking for just a couple of animals - but as his brothers, part of his family. No matter how injured or exhausted he will stop at nothing to reunite with his family. In doing so he becomes involved with a triad and a very dangerous woman from that triad family.

This film is passionately filmed. Not since Emerald Forest has there been such sheer natural beauty that draws you into the film.If possible, Tony is even more creative and slightly crazed in his fighting moves! It is a necessary difference however because it is his family, his brothers that have been stolen away. The only word to express his fighting is - enraged! After what happens to his family he is completely justifed in using the most brutal moves of Muay Thai! And the audience will cheer him on!

This movie, when compared with Ong Bok has a much higher production quality because of Ong Bok's universal appeal and success. Viewers must see the "Making of" on the second disc to see how they manage not to kill each other or themselves. You will want to watch this one over and over again!

Ghosts can't go over steps. See, even this wretched debacle of a movie can be educational! Only one thing I enjoyed in this movie, other than the words "The End", and that was the herd of psuedo muscle cars circa 1970- ish. It was then I realized the absurdity of it all and had a good laugh, those cars really got to me. If you have nothing to do, still do not rent this movie or for heavens sake do not buy it!

Nearly two years later they make the long journey to seek revenge. When the widow sees the killer has cut off one of his legs as penance she refuses to let Yuan take revenge.

They plan to go back home immediately but the widow falls ill. The doctor tells Yuan nothing can be done with his medicines but the Wei family has a secret potion that just might help. Yuan goes to the Wei family not knowing there is a feud between them and the man he came to kill. The Wei clan are tyrants and mobsters. They control nearly everything and need men who can enforce their criminal deeds. But Yuan doesn't know that when he agrees to work for Wei in exchange for medicine for the widow. It seems as though every time they attempt to return home she becomes more seriously ill. When she discovers Yuan is working for Wei in order to get her medicine she can't allow it.

There are several plot twists that would not usually be expected in a movie of this genre. To be sure there are enough hard core fights to keep viewers satisfied but will keep fans guessing about who the villains really are, or are they?

The movie begins in Japan with Jackie and Biao following a known crook. They end up in a amusement park, have a brief fight with the bad guys and Biao is kidnapped. Jackie realises he needs help and has Sammo released to help him. Crooks are better at fighting and capturing other crooks? So Sammo and his gang of bungling buddies are released to a female cop, Sibelle Hu. Sibelle Hu must have been desperate to sign on this insulting role. Sammo and his buddies are constantly trying to think of ways to get laid, or at least cop a feel. This goes on and on seemingly forever. The very few Japanese words that are used are insulting translated incorrectly. If not for that and the group gropes I would have given this movie a higher rating.

But this film is a hoot! In his bodyguard duties Petchtai is assigned to protect one of the richest men in the country. Of course nothing goes as it should and he ends up failing his mission. In a scene where he incorporates his charge into his own defense is quite amusing. Always the comedian he manages to fight people using different styles while his style is unique.

The son of the billionaire has gone missing and it's up to the Bodyguard to find him and keep him safe while the bad guys want him for the millions of dollars they can extort. Not a great movie but it is entertaining.

NG See Yuen saw potential in Jackie and decided to use Jackie as the lead.

It worked. Something about the movie - Jackie's innocence and lack of any fighting skills definitely caused people to pay attention. This was not just a revenge - train - resolution movie. There was an actual degree of a plot. After Jackie (Chiun Fu) intervenes when the old man is being attacked they become friends and the old Master agrees to teach him some kung fu, more specificaly Snake Fist Style.

Jackie is a quick learner and soon he has accomplished Snake Fist Style. But after losing a fight he knows he must develop other skills. He watches an encounter between a snake and his cat. The cat in self defense uses his claws to ward off the snake. This gives him an idea of what else he needs to know and he develops the "Cat Style".

(And now for the *Cat* controversy. If you are not prepared, or a serious vegan you might not want to think about the cat(s) in this movie. There are at least three different cats used. Hopefully they just picked up some feral cat when they needed one but chances are the cats didn't have a long life. The viewer must remember this movie is nearly thirty years old. Cat and even dog is served in areas of Mainland China and other parts of Asia even now. There are no giant cattle ranches because of the enormous cost of feeding and raising them.)

(There is a fighting scene that was edited out of every format. The scene was removed from the theatrical as well. Jackie goes off to find the old man and warn him he will be attacked. Before he can get there he is ambushed by a fighter who had been pretending to be a minister. The fighter rushes out of hiding and slashes Jackie with his sword. Except the sword was the wrong one and no one had dulled the cutting edge. Hospital! Jackie said the fans would see him bleed for real but it was better to cut the scene.)

And then there was the issue of obviously losing teeth. Jackie was really beat up in this movie but later said it was worth it because it definitely jump started his career.

One more piece of trivia. One of the villians, played by Hwang Jang Lee, was constantly warned about full contact. Even some of the seasoned stuntmen grew tired of it. Apparently he wanted to show everyone why he was a champion. It did not help his movie career.

Snake In The Eagle's Shadow can still be enjoyed today. The friendship between Chiun Fu and the old Master seems very real. They are friends but they are also Master - teacher, and loyal student who can't let his Master be injured or killed. The training is rather good and adds a couple of not often seen exercises. Even if you are not a hard core fan of martial arts you should see this movie.

A famous martial artist is framed for raping his host's wife at a dinner occassion where the wine has been flowing liberally. Honor calls for the death sentence but the martial artist's sister agrees to be a concubine to the gang leader and the punishment is changed to smashing his hands so he no longer can do Kung Fu.

Thus he is forced into becoming something of a street performer with his beloved little monkey. The gang leader is furious and tells his men to kill the monkey, which they do. So chattered physically and emotionally he sees no way to make a living, no point in continuing.

He soon meets a petty street thief who wants to work as his monkey, providing enough for their meager existence. It is evident the new "monkey" needs much training and is taken by his new Master into the country where they can work undisturbed.

The standard - someone/thing is destroyed, killed/humiliated/lost face etc. and now must go off and train is nothing new. What is *new* is that you have never seen the kind of training done in this simple tale! These two are not Sifu and Student, they ARE monkeys!The training and practice of the Monkey Form will simply amaze you! The raw energy, the sheer strength and mind boggling positions will keep you glued to the screen! This is the best, bar none, movie devoted to the Monkey Form!!!

Buy it, don't bother with a rental you will want to watch this one again and again and again!

This film may be the absolute best (barring films of parades and demonstrations) at showing the beautiful Lion Dance and how power and grace combine to make a fantastic visual feast! The intricate movements are nothing short of stunning! There are no wires here, no trick photography. You will be entranced by this tradition that is centuries old and will want to watch it more than once!

When the Master discovers Tiger betrayed him he is very hurt. Tiger leaves the school and goes in search of work. He ends up with a gang, not knowing their plan is illegal and involves releasing their criminal leader Master Kim, (Whong In - Sik). Meanwhile the Master shows his kind heart and tells Dragon to leave the school - but to return with Tiger.

Almost immediately Dragon finds trouble when he is mistaken for his brother. Chaos and comedy ensue!One of Chan’s most notable fight sequences is in this movie. Dragon goes looking for Tiger and manages to get into a fight with an instructor for the corrupt martial arts school. This is no ordinary fight - but a fight utilizing a large white fan. Yes I said fan. Chan did numerous takes, some have said over thirty takes and some say even more, and that is certainly possible. Chan was adamant about showing the art of fighting with a fan and he gives it his all!

During the journey Dragon is mistakenly arrested by the Sheriff (Shek Kin) and his son (Yuen Biao). There are numerous well choreographed fight scenes which lead up to the wildly manic ending with Dragon fighting the gang leader played by real life Master of Hapkido, Whong In - sik. This is one of the longest fights Chan ever filmed. It’s difficult to describe the intensity, the sheer craziness of it. Chan has stated that in the early years of his career it was necessary to find real fighters to spar with because it was next to impossible to make actors look like martial arts experts believable as opponents. While fans love the more realistic fight scenes it also means Chan gets the daylight beat out of him and he suffered several serious injuries, mostly from the final fight with Whong In - Sik. Viewers are treated to see Hapkido for real. Along with kicks and punches, trappings and joint locks are also employed. The scene is a treat for both those who practice martial arts and those who enjoy watching them! Young Master has held up over the years and is considered a classic!

This film is notable for several reasons. It broke all box office records for time in theatre and money earned and it also gave Jackie the opportunity to show off his legs for a change. It’s the only film where Chan spends any amount of time wearing shorts. He has never specifically mentioned that piece of trivia but I have never heard a complaint from any of his female fans, especially by the time he is taking a shower. Young Master was also the pre - cursor for his now famous out takes of things that didn’t go quite like they were supposed to, as well as showing everyone that it was indeed Jackie himself doing those crazy stunts and incredible fighting. Young Master doesn’t show out takes but rather random images from the movie. Viewers and fans had to wait until Dragon Lord was released which is the first time Chan uses out takes his fans have come to expect. Young Master is as amazing today as when it was first nearly three decades ago!

This film always contains something in the description about Jackie being a favorite amongst the Shaolin Monks. He is certainly not a favorite and is nearly kicked out more than once, at least in the beginning.

The movie opens with the students in the midst of "training", and we discover he is a mute. Shaolin training requires such things as hauling water and chopping wood. This is to build up the body, but Jackie is impatient and frustrated he has not learned any real kung fu yet. He meets a Buddhist nun who implores him to continue to practice, and he increases his efforts. One night he happens to discover there is a strange man living underground as a prisoner. His curiosity gets the better of him and he meets this mysterious person. The prisoner agrees to teach the mute boy real kung fu in exchange for some favors and Jackie quickly agrees.

Training with the man and nun he learns the best martial arts and the ethics that go with it. When he feels his skills are good enough he challenges the final hurdle of his training: defeating the Wooden Men.

(There has been a great deal of confusion in regard to the final challenges of wooden men, bronze monks, etc. The statues were only the representation of the actual human monks and the skills they would use against a challenger.) To enjoy this movie, cast aside expectations of a kick-ass Jackie Chan movie and enjoy it for what it is: a 1976 martial arts flick with a very young (pre-cosmetic surgery) Chan doing what he had always wanted to do! Jackie shows he can do anything physical! Some of the acrobatic/martial arts are truly amazing, especially when there are no wires, no FX, only talent that can't be denied. There is an absolutely gorgeous view of a waterfall as Jackie does forms. This was a relatively dangerous scene but it was worth it!

The fight scene in the inn is atrocious. Chan looks like he is going to burst into laughter any second. Sammo Hung plays the innkeeper's son, and if you look closely you will see Yuen Biao as one of the villains in the Green Dragon clan. The fighting is all terrible, with the exception of the final fight when we discover who the mute monk really is and his purpose for training so hard and so long. The final fight allows Jackie to show his stuff, and though it may be terrible in production value it's obvious this kid is going somewhere! Seriously, you don't want to miss this one.

When something does go wrong the Kid administers his own kind of retribution which unfortunately doesn’t work out so well. Soon he is caught up in multiple schemes and must decide what is really important to him.

There is really only one thing wrong with "The Bare Footed Kid": the Bare Footed Kid, as played by Aaron Kwok. The only reason I rated "The Bare Footed Ki"d four stars was because of the fine efforts delivered by Ti Lung ("A Better Tomorrow" series, "Drunken Master 2") and Maggie Cheung ("Hero", with Jet Li, "The Iceman Cometh"), both veteran actors in a range of films including period pieces. They deliver excellent performances. However they needed a “kid fighter” and there was no one to be found, apparently, besides Aaron Kwok. Enter Liu Chia Liang who some how managed to create the illusion that Kwok could fight, and fight well. Not an easy task! It was surprising and a bit disappointing to see the use of so much wire-fu, but apparently that was the only way Liu Chia Liang could make it appear Kwok had a clue about martial arts, and was in good enough shape to carry it out. Fortunately it was enough to pass off Kwok without changing the plot.

I also didn’t like the serious use of wires with a fight with Ti Lung. Granted he wanted to show the Kid a whole lotta fighting skills in a very short period of time but it was just too much. Ti Lung was only around 46 when he was in this movie--plenty young enough to do almost all of his fighting without the wires.

But the ending is worth waiting for, courtesy of Liu Chia Liang! His reputation for amazing fight choreography and long fight sequences does not disappoint! Two nearly back-to-back fights is typical as is his use of unusual but deadly weapons. Without giving away the ending, I was disappointed in one aspect of the Kid’s choices. Viewers will just have to watch the movie to understand my reference.

Jackie Chan is a master of many arts and has my utmost respect. It is not unusual for me to watch one of his movies twice, maybe more. This film had me trying to find a way to get out of the first viewing! If this film is an example of his so called Hong Kong movies then he should go back to the US.

There were a half dozen rumours flying around the net about the plot. One rumour was that the “Three Dragons” Jackie, Biao and Sammo would return as three mischievous thieves, in an updated “Dragons Forever.” I keep telling people it ain’t gonna happen. And then the rumour regarding this being a very dark film. Jackie - baby - dark - no way.

Jackie (Slipper), Louis Koo (Octopus) and Michael Hui (Landlord) are all high stakes thieves. Slipper and Octopus are in the midst of stealing medication from a hospital (that’s a hospital?). As they are making their way out chaos begins! The son of a Triad boss thinks he has a newborn son. In reality it is an old girlfriend and her husband. In his mind it is his son and he is trying to kidnap the woman and baby. Unfortunately the Triad’s son is killed in an accident and his father vows to get his grand child because he too, is deluded and wants the baby.

The three thieves have alternative lives. Landlord is self explanatory, and his wife, Land Lady who needs major mental health care. Octopus, who is married but ignores his wife and looks for women who have a lot of money. Slipper pretends to be a business man but his father and the rest of the family know he is a thief and gambler. No matter what Slipper does he cannot please his father. Considering Jackie's age you would hope such displays of being a good loving son would be purged by now. However this movie is so formula you could give it to the baby! When Landlord is robbed of all his money the guys agree to take on a job to replace the money, but he doesn’t really tell them exactly what the job is at hand. Suffice to say it involves Slipper, Octopus and the baby. Yes two hours of watching two guys and a baby. Every baby joke ever used is used again. And again. And again. And again. One thing that would have definitely improved the movie was Yuen Biao whose on screen time was barely more than a cameo. Biao is a master in martial arts, action choreography and humour. And yet for some reason Jackie relegated him to a very short role.

There is no requirement for Jackie to do stunts and serious fighting, but if he is going to continue them he needs to be able to do them with finesse. One requires him to jump from one floor to the next by jumping on the air conditioners which are set staggered and not much of a stunt especially with a wire. Unfortunately it looked like a child could do it. Another “stunt” he slides down a long stairway banister. Not a lot of skill is required. I certainly don’t want Jackie to be injured or take stupid risks. I think he still has difficulty believing audiences will accept him as an actor without a few stunts along the way. He would he wrong on that count

One major complaint - the bad “gay” joke. Absolutely uncalled for and completely tasteless. Jackie should be ashamed to have something like that in “his” movie!

Everything is going along with the endless baby jokes when suddenly the movie whiplashes into a dark and ugly mode. Two hours of hackneyed jokes and it’s like running into a cement wall at high speed with no warning!

When the baby is turned over to his grandfather’s staff the gang has accomplished their task. But none of them feel good about what they have done. The sudden immersion into a macabre affair is not something you would usually see in a “Jackie” film but then it is not a “Jackie” movie and that’s the problem. Rob B Hood is part action, part drama, part comedy, part sap and as many “awwwww” moments as you can tolerate without requiring insulin. Jackie had virtual control over the film however he seems to have experienced difficulty in determining what kind of movie he wanted to make. It just didn’t work. As for the ending all I can say is Jackie hasn’t done this before and let us hope he will not do so again.

I refuse to spend any more time on this horrible waste of a perfectly good CD case!

I have to admit there was one small kinda cool thing. If you don’t know where your opponent is, you can put your mirrored shades on the ground to see their position.

Dragon (Jackie) and Mars, long time friend and stuntman, are buddies who like the same girl. However they both push love aside to save some of China's precious treasures the bad guys are sending out of the country. Dragon is innocently trying to retrieve a kite he sent with a love note attached. As he is on the roof getting his kite he overhears the villains making their plans to ship the valuable items out of country for sale. Dragon and Mars can't allow their country's valuables be sold! That leads them in the end having to deal with the gang leader, none other than Whang In-sik, the Korean Hapkido master. Whang In-sik, who also had an end fight with Jackie in Young Master, battles with Dragon and some with Mars in this movie. The production values are nearly nonexistent, but though the fights on the surface are not as intense as Young Master they are still very good. Not many props just hard hitting from Whang In - sik and Jackie's manic determination to beat the gang leader and save the royal treasures.

There are two unique things about Dragon Lord. One particular scene is listed in the Guinness Book Of World Records for the most takes - allegedly nearly 3000!! Also this is the first movie Jackie had real outtakes. Jackie proves once again that movies don't have to cost millions of dollars to be entertaining. You have to let go of the "Hollywood" expectations and enjoy it for the movie it is.

(I always thought this movie was what inspired Drunken Master 2!)

The last few minutes everything changes when the guys get captured the women come out of their timidity and start kicking ass and save the day. It was with great consternation I grudingly classified this as a three star. Rothrock actually looks competent and in good form. With Jackie footing the bill the sets were rather nice and there were a few different sets. Jackie also "donated" his stunt team to the betterment of the training and fight scenes. Although some might not agree. What really bogged down the film was the Sammo - esque "humour". Poor Sibelle must have been having awful flashbacks to the "StarS" movies, I know I was.

SURPRISE ENDING SPOILER********************** Okay if you don't want to know read no further

Well we all know how Jackie's guys are, uhm, well enthusiastic. Those stunt guys are amazing and they do like to blow shit up. I sincerely hope no one was injured in the "run from the fire" training scene but in the out takes that is one serious conflagration! People are being doused with water and other things and seen rolling on the ground to the far viewer's left. I think the news would have spread if anyone was seriously hurt.

But when you have someone running away in their undies you begin to have a bad feeling about the "action" involved. And to continue the "plot" the VHS tape (how old is this movie?) is tossed into a box of unmarked VHS tapes of Jackie's cooking show. Naturally the journalist gets the wrong tape or there is no story. And there isn't much of a story to begin with!

One problem, or should I say three problems only bogged down the movie and really added nothing but props for Jackie to save. This is why they scream "JACKIE SAVE ME! or "JACKIE HELP ME" and other lines of the same caliber. Over and over. We have the journalist ditz, the TV show assistant, and ditz number three is the wooden prop named Miki who is Jackie's girlfriend. He carries her, catches her and protects her with his masculine bravado but can't answer the question when asked if he loves her. Product placement is abundant. While the gang still thinks Jackie has the money or drugs or maybe both they kidnap Miki and force Jackie into fighting instead of baking. The fight scenes, almost always good in a Jackie film, fail to conjure up much excitement. Jackie wasn't in top form when he started the movie and a shoulder injury was obvious in every fight. For some reason there was a lot of cutting the fight scenes that had little to do with how it looked. Jackie also hurt his neck when he did a stunt in a "moving" wheelbarrow. Even the staff didn't realize he was really hurt, they just assumed he was goofing around. He wasn't. After that he doesn't make that 100% effort and that too showed. The end fight scene should have been with Norton but instead had Jackie saving the "help me" girls and then runs over everything including Norton's house with an enormous dump truck. Shades of Red Bronx (Rumble In The Bronx). Another similarity is the buildings, both designed to be shooting inside and shots from outside. Norton's house should have been palatial but looked like cardboard, which it probably was. Personally if I for some reason became demented and wanted to watch monster trucks I would go to the monster truck rally, not a Jackie Chan movie. This movie is definitely not a top favorite among fans and it has good reason to have that distinction.

Sammo is very amusing as a bicycle courier cameo and if you look quick in the construction fight scene you will find Brad Allen stuffed into the cement mixer. One more piece of trivia - Joyce Mina Godenza (Eastern Condors) real life wife of Sammo is one of the people in the cooking audience who gets eggs thrown at her.

If you really want to see this film definitely get the Hong Kong version unless you want to see a sliced and diced version with Jackie fumbling his lines.

Gordon Lui is the Eleventh Prince and the next in line for the throne. Unlike most of the other princes, he enjoys traveling about, spending time and money on wine, women and antiques--not necessarily in that order. The movie begins with the prince and "Dirty Ho" (Wong Yu) in separate entertainment rooms (no, not that kind of entertainment--get your minds out of the gutter!) at a floating brothel. These are rooms for eating and drinking and charming the ladies with jewels and money. The Prince is using a room that usually is occupied by the thief, Ho. He is rude, crude and would have to pay to be with women. This song and dance crap goes on far longer than necessary, but the Prince helps out Ho because he thinks he is a good man. Ho ends up fighting the Prince with the assistance of one of the prostitutes and is injured by a weapon that was covered with poison. When the local medical people cannot help him, he is forced to return to the prince for an antidote to the poison. Ho agrees to be the Prince's servant in exchange for the antidote.

Even though Hsiao Ho ("Mad Monkey Kung Fu", "Legendary Weapons Of China") is listed fourth in the cast, he is on the screen for approximately four minutes; and if you are not watching carefully, you'll miss the scene, and he is killed after saying a few words. No doubt the idea was to pull in more people by having him do a cameo. It didn't help, rather it only makes you wish you were watching one of his other movies.

"Dirty Ho" is very disappointing on several levels. The characters are two dimensional with no real appeal or development. There is nothing to make you care about anyone. Most movies where someone is pushed into being a servant develop until the servant loves and respects his master. That never really happens. There are a couple of fights where he helps defend the Prince, one with a group of assassins led by a--transvestite???, but even then it's a lackluster effort. When the Prince suffers a serious injury to his leg, he decides he needs to train Ho. Hell, even the training was boring! The end fight scene was uninspired and at times downright silly. The Prince has to help Ho fight but can only use one leg. This only makes the fight more unwatchable.

Save your money on this one and get "Legendary Weapons of China" instead. I promise you won't regret it!

Sammo knew Bruce rather well and they had even supposedly had a friendly spar or two. Perhaps that is why he was able to copy Bruce’s moves so well. He did better than any one ever seen fighting like Lee. Because of Lee’s death there were several movies pending and someone had to fill that gap - and quickly. Sammo is pure amazement! He is able to imitate Lee to perfection, even with nunchakas! It’s a good thing Sammo does such a fantastic performance because the plot is barely there - and that is being charitable! .

However if you can let go of predetermined expectations you might be able to watch the movie in it's entirety. It required a great deal of restraint to keep my finger off the "FF" button but I'm glad I did. Of course their never was a true “Bruce replacement” just as there will be no replacement for Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Tony Jaa, Robin Shou, Yuen Biao or even Sammo Hung. This movie is meant to be taken very lightly. You’ll enjoy it if you do not go in with specific expectations.

While I certainly have no disagreement about the people chosen to highlight a segment, there was simply too much to be treated fairly and insightful. I am certainly no expert on China or the Chinese film. I found the first 30 years coverage very interesting and provided information in a highly palatable presentation. After that I really didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know. Think of it as the “lite” version of Chinese cinema.

Most people would probably enjoy this film and find it wonderful! And it would be if you are just getting started into foreign films or even martial arts movies.

Some people think martial arts are the only kind of foreign films ever made. One thing I really did enjoy was a brief interview with Lau Kar Leung. What a legend! And of course there is Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, the numerous people who were”Wong Fei - hung” on tv and then film. But before you could really appreciate the subject it was on to the next! You certainly can’t say it drags. I have to grudgingly rate this a three star because it will be entertaining for the majority of people who may watch Chinese films, but as for me it left me feeling unsatisfied.

I would love for them to go back to each segment and expand upon those for a couple of hours. There are countless hours of film that would be wonderful to experience! It is not a bad film. It simply is too much, too fast. It’s also a movie that you will probably want to watch several times to make certain you see and hear it all.

There is no way to adequately cover a century of light and shadow.

"Heroic Ones" was made in 1969. It is virtually impossible to compare movies today to films of that era, in terms of production values, and all that goes with them. My primary interest was seeing one of my favorite actors in his early movie career. That actor is the wonderful Ti Lung. The story is set in ancient China near the end of the Tang Dynasty. Brute force ruled with no one knowing who they could trust. The Mongol King and his thirteen Generals is allied with other warlords against a huge army controlled by General Wang. Lord Zu When is ready to use any situation to his advantage. He challenges the thirteenth (Chiang) to fight with a huge powerful soldier. When Chiang wins he is furious and immediately begins plans for revenge.

Intent upon changing the odds in their favor the brothers/generals bravely journey at night to Wang’s enormous camp with many hundreds (or thousands?) of soldiers! You are given an idea of just how enormous that army is when the brothers go through camp after camp, guards upon guards.

It is truly mind boggling to think of directing so many people doing so many things. Lau Kar Leung is in the bunch as well, showing men how to look like they just disemboweled someone after hacking off an arm. The fight scenes are incredible for the long takes and intensity! They manage to do considerable damage and kill many men before being forced to retreat. The sole scene where there is no fighting/drinking/arguing is brief but touching. As the soldiers close in on the brothers a young lady (Lily Li) offers her simple home to them to hide from the approaching soldiers and in doing so saves their lives. Two of the despicable brothers attempt to rape the young woman but the thirteenth stops them. They all know the relationships cannot be repaired.

David Chiang has more time on screen than Ti Lung. He also is dressed in a very different way than anyone else, including Lung. Ti Lung (Better Tomorrow trilogy, City War and even Jackie Chan’s father in Drunken Master II. He is an excellent actor who can play any role and is very gracious and appreciative of his fans. Even though brief you do see the talent Lung has and though the two do not spend much time together in this movie they do form a “team” in several Cheng Cheh films. Even if you are familiar with the Shaw Brothers movies in general Heroic Ones can be a bit overwhelming at first. There are so many different people, dressed in similar ways it does get confusing. However, after watching for a bit, it does settle down with at least a few characters establishing themselves.

"The Heroic Ones" is a sweeping epic the likes of which most likely will never be made again. The vast number of people involved is staggering! Now the film would have cg soldiers, horses, camps, castles, etc.

Simply coordinating one stage of production involved so many people it deserves to be of note for that fact alone. The storyline of the feuding armies is only the premise for the much deeper story. Here you have thirteen members of the same family competing for the King’s respect, attention, favors, and ultimately power. The brothers range from righteous and intelligent to boorish drunks looking for an easy way into holding power and commanding everything and everyone around him. But there are more than a few who are willing to kill their own to do so! Internal strife is in it’s own way worse than the bloody battles. And what battles! Not much in the way of martial arts but a plethora of sword delivered slashes, hacking and amputations and decapitations. Weapons of every kind and bucket’s o’ blood! Plenty of mano y mano battles both short and long. The vicious blows are meted out to the opposing army but before long to the “13 Generals” themselves! I would like to have rated this film higher but a “3" was as far as I could allow. The plot was very weak and most of the brothers were two dimensional. It could have benefitted from some editing to make the story tighter and at a consistent pace. At times it seemed there would be nothing at all happening and suddenly for no apparent reason someone would charge off to fight. If you are a Shaw Brothers fan, especially of the early films you will love the movie. But even if you do not care for the fare this is a good movie to rent just to see what could be accomplished without cg and fx. This is an example of "Movie Magic"!

However I do have some problems, not the least of which is that if you are going to do CG it better be damn good. Long gone are the days of promising great stuff and delivering arcade-grade computer graphics. In this aspect "Forbidden Kingdom" doled out the scenery as if it was costing them a fortune to do even a simple matte, not to mention things that moved. Doubles were everywhere, on wires and definitely overused.

We know Jackie and Jet can certainly work well with wires, so perhaps it was done to save time. Why string Jet up when you can have a stunt double do it without taking time from shooting the story? The other concern lies with the audio. Of course as usual unfortunately movie makers seem to think the audience will not realize they are watching an important fight scene or event unless the VOLUME IS REALLY REALLY LOUD!

Just because with hi-tech you can now blast sound without shattering speakers doesn't mean you necessarily should. The same decibels can also shatter eardrums!

"Forbidden Kingdom" Is a nice little movie, just don't expect DM2 ("Drunken Master 2") or FOL ("Fist Of Legend"). We live in a world where untold numbers of people could be obliterated in an instant. Perhaps what we need are a few more nice little movies.