The film begins as bounty hunters are tracking Chinese, haunting their movements waiting for an opportune time to add to their murderous earnings.

Through fortune or fate seven people come together in what is known as "Martial Arts Town" to fight against the savagery of the new form of government.

Many innocent people were being slaughtered in the name of ridding the country of dangerous and dangerously thinking types which in reality meant open season upon the people. In order to save lives five rather ordinary seeming people travel to Mount Heaven. It is there they meet Master Shadow Glow who lives as a hermit and two of his disciples. The Master has been waiting for their arrival and has produced special gifts for them - very special swords, each with it's own unique qualities.

Amongst the seven actors most in real life had no martial arts or sword fighting skills. Several had never held a sword. Although there was no footage of the actors training it was obvious Lau Kar Leung is still a Master in many ways. In the special features Lau speaks about his students and seemed genuinely fond of them and thoroughly enjoyed time spent with them. It is almost unbelievable he was able to make the cast look so incredibly good at sword fighting skills, the choreography and act as the leader of the Seven Swords! I am continually in awe of this man and his never ending talent.

It really is an ensemble cast, especially the Seven Swordsmen. Some viewers felt the film should "star" this or that person. This is not a breakout movie for one star or another. Any attempt to make it so would have destroyed the film and the story. This film is about working together no matter what the odds. Staying true to the mission and not trying to be better than any of the others. It seems some viewers have no concept of such selfless dedication and so began to rip the movie apart because their personal "star" was not the focus. Truthfully if this is how a viewer feels they might as not bother watching this film because they will not be able to understand.

Despite the fact this is a nation at war and numerous bodies are decapitated, dismembered, amputated and killed with a myriad of weapons in a dizzying manner of uses there is virtually no blood. The fact is when you cut off someone's head there is going to be a lot of gushing blood. There should be blood spurting everywhere and covering everything including the wounded, the dying and the dead. Either the director, Tsui Hark was concerned about a Monty Python moment or more likely he chose the "no spurting" ban Mainland China has established policies on such things as a bad idea if he wanted that audience and support with no edits.

General Fire Winds leads an army of ruthless, mostly unintelligent brutes from one village to the next and the next killing any who knows martial arts and killing the rest as well. Every dead Chinese adds more to his coffers. He is a very bad guy.

These are people and events that are fantastic in the truest sense of the word!

Tools such as wire and tubing are used to help "normal " actors or stunt people do outrageous takes that make them appear to be impossibly talented. Now to impress you need an ultra special entity they must be better in most ways. In many ways we have reached a relative plain on tech and it will be some time before the next major changes in the world of sight and sound. (Well a few weeks anyway)

Tsui Hark helmed a truly fantastic film! The story is solid enough, the acting surprisingly good from a mostly unknown cast and Lau Kar Leung to help pull it all together and lead the Seven Swordsmen. The pacing isn't bad although it's not three hours of kicking ass. You must have character development or the viewer will not become emotionally involved with the characters. That bond is essential or you lose your audience.

The gorgeous shots of the landscape were absolutely beautiful! Such wide expanses and open tundra with mountains shooting up through the earth. Breathtaking! One of the most beautifully shot films I have ever seen! Hark knew when to let the beauty of nature be the 'star'.

The score by Kenji Kawai is fair to good. Nothing really special here but it's not invasive.

I'm not including any negative points as I think most are unjustified and they have already been discussed extensively.

I have a prediction. In five years people will be calling it an epic masterpiece.

Chin Kar Lok and his father travel to the city to find a better way of life. Chin's father wants him to have a good education but Yu Shu prefers to imagine himself in a fantasy life where he is the good guy saving damsels in distress. Don't worry about the first few scenes it gets a lot better! Enter 'better' known as Kim Won Jin! This man is at the top of the kicking world! And his Scorpion form, as he scuttles across the floor or ground is the best I have ever seen! It's truly a different kind of fighting that's for damn sure! If you haven't guessed by now Kim Won Jin steals the show. His first fight gives you an idea what this guy can do. Those who refuse to watch wire fu do not bother but you are really going to miss one hell of a good time! The laws of physics cannot be changed even by the bad guy. You can't make a movie like this without wires but it doesn't matter! It's great entertainment and not all is wire assisted. Kim Won Jin kicks like no one else and I mean No One!

Yu Shu (Chin Kar Lok) is young and has a temper. Most of his time in high school he is getting into trouble for drawing his hero comics or beaten up by the police chief's son. In a series of coincidences he befriends a lovely young girl in servitude to a nasty guy (the Scorpion's father) who sells women locally and abroad. Unfortunately that leads to his father getting beat up and Yu Shu is looking for some help. He finds a temporary refuge with a group of body builders at their school. Yu Shu is so impressed, especially by the instructor Little John he decides he must become his student. That is one of those nicknames that use the opposite. Little John is anything but little!

Yu Shu, his father and the ex-slave go to stay with an old friend, Lo (Lau Kar Leung) at his noodle shop and Yu Shu makes tentative steps at romancing . It must be remembered that Yu Shu's character is supposed to be high school age and cannot be expected to be super talented since he has never had any training other than in his imagination. Although Yu Shu attends a few lessons with Little John his real training begins as every day work for the restaurant.

Knowing his helper wishes to learn Kung Fu Sifu Lo uses everyday items and tasks to train the impatient Yu Shu.

Things grow worse when Yu Shu's friends maid is sold into a prostitution ring by her mother and Yu Shu and his friend get Little John to help them get her back. The big man versus the thin guy with legs that seem to go in 360 degrees is excellent. The gauche riches of the gangsters is shown well as the two square off and Little John breaks a number of things including a wall. At first Little John is quite the opponent but the villain uses his Scorpion (damn he is good!) and amazing kicking skills. The only hope now is to run away. Yu Shu and Little John make it out but the girls are trapped.

It's obvious Lau Kar Leung did a lot of the choreography and some damned good fighting as well especially his fight with the scorpion. Lau being in his fifties didn't look like he had lost a thing since the hey day of the Shaw Brothers. A truly amazing man. But of course Yu Shu needs to try out his skills against the villain and it takes everything he has been taught plus a form of his own creation, the Eel style.

Chin Kar Lok is at a decided disadvantage. No matter how much he could train or do quality acrobatics there is no getting away from the kicking Master. It's difficult to watch anyone else unless he is tearing their head off at the time. And with Lau in the film it leaves the "hero" in third place. Chin is underrated and does have martial arts skills worthy of being on film. But the star is Kim Won Jin, no one will argue with that!

There is humour added naturally but it does help lighten up the story considering it is built around selling girls/women into slavery and prostitution. But as I said earlier don't worry too much about the plot. It's there to add some comedic filler into what could have been a very dark and depressing film.

Back to the Master of kicking - he needs to make more films! I can't say enough about how astounding he really is, just wish there was more of him. I have seen every kicker anyone could name and none of them are better than Kim Won Jin. I'm familiar with wire work and using tubing. I don't think he is on any wire as the Scorpion. And there are other instances where it certainly looks like pure talent.

My only real complaint is that some scenes were shot in a hand held and the fights too close up in places. The finale fight is too dark, visually. It is supposed to be night but it makes some action difficult to see. But after you watch it a few times, and then a few times more with friends you will get the full effect.

Buy it, it's a keeper. Maybe buy two in case it wears out. : )

While on his work break he notices a couple of guys that just don't seem right somehow. On a hunch he follows them and discovers they are there to commit a robbery. As he follows them at one point they all end up in an elevator with a woman who has no idea what is happening. Thus ensues a very good and quite amusing scuffle in the elevator. The dramatic fight with the thieves is played on TV which gets the attention of more than one person.

One night he happens to meet a private detective named Liu (Eric Tsang) who manages to worm his way into Bei's home. He is an orphan who knows nothing of his family and was raised in an orphanage. But Liu convinces him he is really the son of a rich Korean who is dying and wants to see his son. His supposed father likes to play head games and tells him of a killer virus (anthrax variation that causes lung cancer?). More important to Bei is the money his father promises to him, but there is a caveat--he has to find it! His hunt takes him to Korea and Turkey. He meets a reporter who is investigating the virus mystery. Bei initially is not enthusiastic but they become partners in the "game". The closer he gets to his prize the more people seem to be after him. He meets an unusual women who seems to be trying to tell him something but she is involved with a very bad guy who deals in high end theft and drugs. She accompanies Bei to Turkey where they are swept into the locals misery and rage over the death of the people killed by the virus. The virus has the potential to kill hundreds of thousands of people. The stakes are high--life or death.

Will he be able to find the virus and his financial fortune? What happens next is up to him.

The last half hour is devoted to some intense action involving multiple people and various forms of transportation! Just when you think the movie is coming to an end something else happens on top of the original! The reporter seemed bored and must have filmed parts of scenes on one date and finished on another. Her constantly changing hair color is a tad annoying.

It was obvious Jackie was doubled in some scenes. He needs to forget about what he cannot no longer do and focus on all his other numerous talents! His acting needs some work--even Jet Li took acting lessons! Act or action, Jackie needs to do what looks good, not what he thinks he must be doing. Somehow he seems to have lost that perspective.

This movie does in several aspects seem like another version of "Who Am I?", but it is not quite as good. Jackie doesn't seem to be putting much effort into acting and some of the puzzle is too easy to solve. The fights are okay but nothing special. However the action filled ending redeems the film. Although I was getting kind of sick of the whole thing.

There are more than a few similarities between "Who Am I?" and "Accidental Spy".

The writers must have decided to reuse bits that made WAI such a hit. Unfortunately that was not the end result. Still it's a good movie and definitely worth owning to watch a few times.

* Regarding different versions: This review refers to the HK version. There is also a US version. Don't go for the US DVD! Another thing "Who Am I" shares with this movie is the total destruction of the film due to butchered, nonsensical editing! Even worse they changed scenes around just as in "WAI"? It totally destroys the movie and will leave fans confused and disappointed. Whoever edits these films seems to have no particular reasoning, just slice here cut there.

* There is also a DVD "The Making Of The Accidental Spy." This is not on the version of the movie I have. It interviews the main stars, shows a few tricks of the trade in stunts and also has Andy Lau singing the song that was played at the end of the movie with ALL those credits.

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.

Huo Yuanjjia (Jet Li) was born in turn - of - the - century 1900 era China. It was a time of grand possibilities but also of great uncertainty and hints of betrayal But Yuanjiia knew nothing of such things. His world was still innocent enough he had no such worries. There was but one thing he desired; the one thing his father could not give. His father was a well respected, highly regarded Master of the martial arts. His character (played by the much under rated Colin Chou) had hoped for a child to follow him and his school. It was difficult to forbid his son from training and fighting, mostly fighting, but absolutely essential as Yuanjjia was born with severe asthma. Other children taunted him about his lack of fighting skills especially considering who his father is, and often it was the teasing that brought out the urge to fight back physically. He always lost. His only support is from his great friendship with Nong Jinsun. Jinsun is very good in school and is often manipulated by Yuanjjia to do his school work for him. When he got into trouble and was punished by writing he would always manage to have Jinsun help him out of it. One day Yuanjjia took the book his father used and had, of course, his friend Jinsun copy it although he didn't know exactly what he was copying. Once he had his own book Yuanjjia wanted to do nothing else but train. At first he was not making much progress but his increased efforts brought about more skill. The next time he is bullied he goes on the attack much to the unpleasantly surprised bully. When his parents see he has been fighting again there is more writing to do.

Against his parents wishes he continues to train, challenging anyone he could find. He was even willing to take a beating in order to discover the ways of different styles and techniques. He was invincible! Every contest made and every battle fought he could find none better. Some challengers refused to fight him until he taunts them about their house and family history. All fell before him. When he returns home we see only the love for his mother and his absolutely gorgeous young daughter. He also visits his father's grave but instead of paying honour and tribute he essentially throws away an integral part of the Chinese family culture. It's a very odd feeling to see "Jet/Yuanjjia" be so angry and disrespectful. His mother is worried about his daughter growing up without a mother and a father who would leave at the hint of a contest. Before the tea is cool he is challenged by a competitor he beat in a fight prior to his journey. At home so little after fighting across the land he still jumps at the opportunity to fight.

Yuanjjia made a considerable reputation for himself fighting without fear or mercy, or regret. The more fights he won the more students would go to his school. But unlike his father's teachings Yuanjjia would take in most anyone who could help pay for his increasingly extravagant lifestyle. He ignores his mother's pleas and spends virtually no time with his wonderful sweet daughter. It was easy to become a favorite of Yuanjjia. Usually a flurry of complements directed to him and he would consider one a friend. His life long friend Jinsun owns Yuanjjia's favorite establishments and keeps reminding him he owes a lot of money, and not to continue to pay his lackeys. There have been rumours about the family and the Masters ways. But as far as Yuanjjia is considered let the good times roll!

One night Yuanjjia is brought one of his students with an injured leg. When he demands to know how it happened he is told a rival Master attacked him for the sole reason of being a student in Yuanjjia's school. Yuanjjia is enraged! This act reflects poorly on him and his school, he feels he must show everyone he is a man to be respected! His arrogance and ego have escalated beyond the point of rationality into madness and what ensues is the most brutal, savage, vicious and seemingly instantaneous fight moves you will see. This fight shows Jet in his most emotionally demanding film from Hong Kong. Though it sounds cliché you haven't seen Jet like this before! There is no trace of compassion no sense of honor or respect even when at his fathers grave. Yuanjjia is far beyond a jerk, he is a son of a bitch.

Some have said YWP did an inferior job, that the moves looked old and bordering on boring. There are moments but then it cuts to something that engages you. It's nearly dawn as Yuanjjia staggers outside throwing up. When he is informed that his competitor has died his world begins to splinter.

Through luck and kindness and acceptance Yuanjjia begins to understand that he does have a purpose.

Jinsun is surprised to see how much his friend has changed. It reminds him of when they were kids and how simple those days were. There is something more important than just their friendship - China.

I will leave the viewer to discover the rest of this amazing film. I know there is a theatrical version, meaning playing in large theaters that has been sliced and diced for who knows why. The WHOLE movie is what you want because much of what they cut out explains so much about Yuanjjia and what happens when he returns home. Unlike fighting for pride or gain, or even life itself the stakes are so much higher. Who said one person can't change the world?

The camera work was excellent but a little too tight in some fight scenes but altogether well filmed. The colors were bold and meshed nearly perfectly with the music. Every bit of real location was used to the maximum. There is a funereal quality to the movie that is present from the beginning. We know this is Jet's last, definitely last Wushu and period piece films. How can there not be a sense of inescapable sadness and loss?

I wouldn't really categorize Fearless as a "kung fu" movie though martial arts carry the story. After giving it much thought if I had to sum it up in one word I would have to say "respect.* See the film and you will understand.

RE Michelle Yeoh. The extended version states Michelle Yeoh's scenes have been returned to the film. Don't worry about not having that version as I thought it was condescending and irritating. Essentially she does as "Advertisement" for having Wushu in the Olympics as a demonstration sport.

However it is vital that you have the extended version because some wonderful and necessary information is communicated in those scenes.

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.

Not being one to use the phrase “chop socky”, I am quite familiar with old school martial arts movies, but this one was even below the time wasted meter.

Cliff Lok stars (and I use that term very loosely) as the “Genius” of the title. He even calls himself a genius. Now in your basic premise, when someone says they are “invincible”, “undefeatable, “brilliant”, etc., they always have to train or get beat up so they are not so cocky and they learn something. Lok’s character learns nothing and is obnoxious and a smart ass from the start. I doubt anyone would call it a “spoiler” to say Lok is the same at the end as at the beginning. Lok’s skills, whatever they may be, do not show in the film. I’ve seen much better work from junior stuntmen.

Wilson Tong, both the director and the teacher of the Spiritual Style, managed to make one of the worst movies ever and he even had time tested and highly skilled martial artists to work with, including the excellent Hsiao Ho ("Mad Monkey Kung Fu", "18 Legendary Weapons"). With the assembled cast, all of whom have worked with Sifu Lau Kar Leung, you would think that at least there would be some excellent fighting along the way. You would be wrong. The only exception is a fight between the “Genius” (gag) and Hsiao Ho with both using weapons. Cliff uses a stick (pole, staff) and Hsiao uses a hoop. That is actually pretty rare in martial arts movies, most likely because it doesn’t exactly strike fear in the opponent. I thought it was interesting to watch, so if you do watch this film just FF>>> to the fight scene and skip the rest. You’ll thank me later.

The production values are even worse than anticipated, and I wasn’t expecting much. Lok’s sidekick, Cheng Hong Yip, always plays the goofy guy who adds comedy--if you can call it that--and he is stuck in this wretched work too. He convinces Lok that he should open a martial arts school and call it the “genius” school. So they open a school which is next to a gambling parlor and brothel and also manage to insult the Spiritual Style school. Okay we have a plot: the two schools fighting for superiority! Bad guys making dirty money! Never mind. For those with any sensitivity, especially about people who are mentally ill, or developmentally disabled, be prepared for not just one but two characters who are not treated with kindness. It doesn’t get better.

I could have tolerated the movie if the “genius” had talent, which if he does, he hides it well. Nothing about him says hero. Nothing about him seems special. He is just annoying. And so I grudgingly give it one half star for the Lok/Hsiao fight, and wonder what the cast must have done to be sentenced to making this movie.

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.

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.

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.

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.