For starters, I'm a lifelong admirer of the Martial Arts film, my dad introducing my brothers and I to these films when we were all 5, 8,& 9 years old. We were enchanted with the eastern way of fighting, even if most films incorrectly depicted real kung fu.

Jet Li's performance in Fearless is an example of an artist expanding his horizons with him having a few western films under his belt, and having worked with a few A-list stars has really paid off for him. In my opinion, if he had not made, Danny the Dog, his performance here might have suffered.

Hua Yuan Cha, the founder of Ching Wu Boxing school of Martial Arts, was a man with a unique vision, at a time when the Chinese were downtrodden, and viewed as a weak race of mankind. With his physical skill, he managed to inspire his fellow countrymen to hone their bodies and use their fighting prowess to protect their country against hostile aggressors, as well as maintaining great physical health and exercise, combining all of the known combative arts of the Chinese people, and teaching his people to not make aggression toward fellow men. The true meaning of Martial Arts.

Jet Li, who is now the same age as master Hua when the master died, delivers an acting performance by a Kung Fu film star that hasn't been seen before now, and will probably not be credited for it, however, Fearless is now at the top of my list as the best Martial Arts film ever. Ever, period. It's not about the choreography, by the great Yuen Wo Ping, production values, or settings, which are all very nice. It's the spirit of the story, and the film itself. If he were to never make another MA epic, this is the one film I've waited on since the promise of what may come died years ago with Bruce Lee.

I choose not to write an in depth commentary on the film, however, take note I try to be as sincere with my take on these films as possible. As much as I enjoy these films, I do not give 5 star reviews often, and as I've stated earlier, this is a film that represents the BEST of this genre and all it has to offer.

Hats off to Ronny Yu, Jet Li, Yuen Wo Ping, and all who contributed to this fine production. Fearless is a film that anyone with even the slightest interests in Martial Arts and MA films in particular, should check out and enjoy it for the spirit of a man known as Hua Yuan Cha.

The film starts with two aging martial arts masters who meet every ten years or so to test their skills against one another, always ending in a draw. One is proficient in swordplay (Sammo) and the other in Shaolin Pole (Lau). They come up with an idea to pass their skills on to proteges so the students' skills define whose instruction is best. The students are played by the two leads who switch roles becoming the opposite's protege, only thing is both are reluctant in being the master's new lackeys.

Toss in Liang Jia Ren as a villian who has a history with both sifus, and you can bet where the ending goes.

The sword/pole displays by Sammo and Lau are excellent as they switch weapons as the other's student. I cannot think of another film where both men have shown such a command of the weapons.

The comedy is very good as well, especially with the elder Sammo forcing the student Lau to become his student by destroying his business, home, and life, until Lau agrees to learn just to take revenge on him!

This is really good stuff and for kung fu fans an opportunity to see the greats in their prime showcasing what kung fu flicks are all about. Not to be missed.

Shaolin Martial Arts is a Chang Cheh classic which not only bridges the cross over from one stable of action stars, but introduces new stars, who will go on to make kung fu in the 70's and 80's the stuff of legend.

The cast reads like a roster of who's who: Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Wang Lung Wei, Gordon Lui, Tino Wong, Lui Kar Yung, and the introduction of my personal favorite, Liang Jia Ren, in his debut.

This is another tale of Shaolin kung fu experts under attack by the Manchu warlords and the film basically sets up it's forthcoming action by having the schools perform at a ritual with Manchus belittling Shaolin only as an excuse to attack them.

When they enlist the assistance of Wang Lung Wei and Liang Jia Ren as "invincible armour" fighters, the Shaolin brothers don't stand a chance. Chi and Fu Sheng are sent to learn Hung fist and Tiger Crane in seclusion, bringing about some of the best training sequences, pre Jackie Chan in Snake in Eagles Shadow, and Drunken Master. Their training takes about a third of the film, and when they finally do get down to the finale, ooh boy!!!

Chang Cheh knew exactly how to convey the spirit of the fighters, and the seriousness about their art. Drama depicted when Kuan Chun finally masters his skill leaves the audience more ready for him to take revenge than his own character!

This is one great Kung Fu film, from an era still being shaped by what was to come. Enjoy it for the first time, and you may well be hooked on Chang's co-horts!!!

Four and one half!!!

"Flash Point", hot on the heels of "SPL", is another step--make that leap--ahead in action. The battles that take place here are so realistic, you find yourself wincing as in a horror film, and feeling the performer's pain. The plot is very thin, and if you look closer, this may have intended to be some sort of indirect sequel to "SPL", as Yen's character is another rogue cop and is reckless in his hard-assed approach to dealing with the baddies. Louis Koo is good as Yen's partner, and he seems to reel the film in somewhat until the end.

What fans will really get excited about is the finale, the showdown between Yen and Colin Chou, Seraph from the "Matrix" sequels. The mixed-martial confrontation from these men is so adrenaline-packed, nothing outside of the showdown between Sammo and Donnie in "SPL" comes close.

This is a film to watch just for the popcorn action, like a Jackie Chan actioner, not to be taken too seriously. Just enjoy the fighting.

The action by Tang Chia, and Liu Chia Liang is very precise in its depiction of the Shaolin styles from that era. Many originally thought the scenes to be too crafty and "stylish", however, this is the true way those fist forms are performed. Each fighter performs to their natural capabilities, Chen Kuan Tai especially showing strength behind every punch, grasp, and kick.

These men also seemed so comfortable playing each character, no wonder they were brought back for future sequels, resuming the roles.

Not much room for women here as the "brotherhood" came first and foremost!

"Men From The Monastery" is a traditional, classic film from an era before the acrobatics of JC, and WP, and loaded with the type of charismatic performances that producers today would kill for.

Chang Cheh, the leading director of the Shaw studios' action fare, made this as a part of his Shaolin trilogy. His focus on the two diverse personalities--Fu Sheng's eager young prodigy, and Chi Kuan Chun's older, more reposed, and experienced expert--provide a perfect contrast as the story builds around deception, greed, and morality.

Chang's male characters always seem to reflect a homoerotic attraction/devotion. Women are usually throwaways, hookers or stepovers to the action that follows.

Liu Chai Liang's choreography is paced much faster than Tang Chia's, and the result is more realistic forms featuring the Hung's Fist, and Tiger/Crane.

Fu Sheng was a very charasmatic star, and I would have really loved to see him in an all out serious kung fu film. He seemed to always perform exactly as his director instructed.

The ending of this film is very emotional given the era, and is a classic in terms of performance and action direction. For some reason we do not see enough of Chi Kuan Chun's fighting prowess, however, when he does, it's on!

I rate Disciples of Shaolin a 4 star classic.

There's an opening fight scene between Ti Lung and Chan Wai Man that is so good, it should have been the final fight instead of the intro.

Fu Sheng once again portrays a young, gifted, expert, and his background is really never fleshed out. We do understand he is upright, and filled with chivalry, but how is he able to compete with Ti Lung, the master of the Deadly Breaking Sword technique, a special technique , when he stabs an assailant, he breaks a tip of his sword off imbedding the tip inside his enemies' flesh? I love that technique though.

Ku Feng is back as another antagonist, filled with deceptions, lies, and betrayals. Was there ever a better villain in the Shaw company?

Directed by Sun Chung, Deadly Breaking Sword is a very good, entertaining, kung fu film, and as I said before, the choreography, by Tang Chai, is great, however, he should have upped the ante just a tad at the finale. This is still a very good film.

The fight choreography, by Sammo, depicts a slight shift fromm "swingy armed" styles, seen during this era.

The film is another take on the bullying Japanese, occupying an early 1900 China, and we are treated to the lovely Angela Mao Ying as the heroine. Carter Wong, and Sammo Hung as her assistant instructors, provide a nice contrast in their characters, Sammo being the more assertive, while Wong is more calculating.

The best treat in this film is the early appearance of master Chi Hon Ji, at the time a 7th degree Grandmaster of the art this film is named after.

The camera work, choreography, and overall stunt action, is a notch above the average film from '72. Thumbs up for great kung fu action! For old schoolers who love, fights, fights, and more fights!!

Lo Lieh is absolutely insane as the warped, swordsman making lamps from human flesh. The plot is a bit overloaded with revenge against revenge, however, Lui Yung, the supposed hero, keeps the audience guessing as to what his swordsman's true intentions are. We are further treated to a strong, charismatic performance by Chen Kuai Tai, whose character here is somewhat reminiscent of the one he portrayed in "Crippled Avengers". The real treat is a cameo by Lo Mang, as a bearded, double sickle wielding, fighter. This Mantis Fist fighter hardly ever used any weapons, noted for his powerful physique.

Lo's lantern maker runs around murdering his enemies' sisters, women, and anyone who's curious about his little shop of horrors. He's like a Chinese Norman Bates, exacting his displeasure on his enemies' all the while, relishing in the brutal torture of his victims. Directed by Sun Chung, noted for "A Fistful of Talons", and the classic "Avenging Eagle", this film balances the multiple genres quite well. Some directors couldn't make a decent Martial Arts film, let alone one with the Horror angle. Sun brought the usage of Steadycam to Hong Kong film, and his vision shows in his work.

The kung fu action in the film is quite good, choreographed by Tang Chai and Huang Pei Chi, and you can notice the early wirework, which became so popular later by Tsui Hark. Lots of the film takes place at night, setting the mood for it's eeriness, and there is an unusual amount of gore, however, I like it. The set pieces, as usual with Shaws, are great. Two stars for horror, two for action, a great cult classic.