REVIEW:
Iron Monkey is the ultimate wire-fu film. Under the eye of director Yuen Woo Ping, we get a movie filled with fun comedy and insane wired-up fight scenes. Iron Monkey is a standard setting kung fu flick that should be in any kung fu fan's collection.

The plot is remniscent of Robin Hood. But, in a traditional martial arts setting combined with the story Wong Kei Ying and son Wong Fei Hung, we get a completely unique story. In addition to being a solid, though far from groundbreaking, story that sets up for some good old kung fu, the movie includes lots of comedy. The movie itself is mostly light-hearted with fun characters and goofy gags, like Iron Monkey posing as a high official and causing confusion. And, who can't laugh at some of the goofy things that happen during the fights. I burst out laughing when one of the mistresses was used as a human shield in the end fight then kicked to the side like nothing as the attack continued. In any other movie, that wouldn't be funny - but it is hilarious here.

Fights themselves are plenty. It is classic Yuen Woo Ping wire-work, but some of the most unique, funny, and entertaining of the sort. If you hate wirework, you'll hate the fights here. But, if you like it - you'll find this to be some of the best. In addition to the great hand to hand combat, some cool weapons are used, and even robe sleeves become weapons when the wires come into play. In particular, though, I found the young Wong Fei Hung to be particularly impressive. The young girl (yes, that's right) that played Fei Hung was very impressive in these scenes and you'll find them on par with much that you will see from the grown men. Aside from some annoying undercranking, the fights here are pure gold.

If you ask a martial arts fan for a good wire-fu film, chances are that this will be the overwhelming response. This is for good reason. The fun atmoshpere of the film and the highly entertaining wire-fu fights make for a truly unique film. I've shown this film to people who aren't even into kung fu films, but after this, all they could say was "Hell Yeah!" That short quote captures the excitement of the film well.

The film focuses on the Iron Monkey (Rong Gwong Yu), for which it is named, who is a Robin Hood-esque figure. He steals from the corrupt government officials, using incredible martial arts skills, and then gives it to the poor. He also saves the less fortunate from their immediate oppressors. The officials from whom he steals are understandably opposed to his actions, and in response to the coming of the Legate Officer the governor (James Wong) calls for the arrest of any suspicious looking persons. Wong Kei-Ying (Donnie Yen), visiting from Canton with his son Wong Fei-Hung (Sze-Man Tsang), is arrested after a spectacular display of his martial arts skill upon a group of men. The governor is going to take his son when Iron Monkey comes to save all those brought in. Kei-Ying and Iron Monkey proceed to an amazing fight atop a roof before Iron Monkey escapes and Kei-Ying is forced to capture Iron Monkey to free his son from imprisonment. After being denied food and help from the townspeople, Kei-Ying is given friendship and food by Miss Orchid (Jean Wang) and Iron Monkey’s alter ego, the giving Dr. Yang. After hearing of Kei-Ying’s troubles, Dr. Yang and Miss Orchid temporarily free Fei-Hung to treat him for his illness. However, when the Legate Officer arrives, he seriously injures the Iron Monkey. Kei-Ying identifies the Legate Officer as a Shaolin monk who betrayed his monastery, master, and fellow monks, and he becomes aware of the Iron Monkey’s true identity.

Yuen Wo Ping’s directorial style in Iron Monkey is fairly standard for Hong Kong pop cinema. Relatively quick cuts, tons of dutch angles and elaborate camera moves, and the ever classic blue hue for flashbacks. Even in the fight scenes it feels like every move in a fight is given its own shot. However, the energy from this style of direction is good for the overall feel of the film. In some of the more melodramatic scenes that are meant to be seen as funny, it hints to the audience that, indeed, in this scene we are not trying to be serious. However, Wo Ping is by far a more talented martial arts choreographer than anything else.

The acting is pretty bad, but in the context of a melodramatic film that rarely takes itself seriously it is understandably so. Donnie Yen and Rong Gwong Yu obviously try to act with the material, but they are martial artists, not brilliant actors. The script doesn’t give any help to them, either—the characters are developed, but all growth, change, or suffering happens very unrealistically fast. And in the scenes hat should be slow and touching, Yuen Wo Ping’s electric style of directing doesn’t let up. It gives contradicting ideas and makes it hard to take these scenes seriously.

However, despite all of these shortcomings, Iron Monkey possesses the best fight scenes ever put on film. Don’t see the US version, because Miramax decided to cut the fight scenes (as well as changing the political context of some of the dialog). All of the film’s stars are incredible martial artists, and they really shine in the films many fight scenes. When Donie Yen and Rong Gwong Yu fight for the first time on the roof, their skill is hard to swallow. And seeing a young Wong Fei-Hung (who, earlier in movie history but later in the context of the films, becomes the star of the Once Upon a Time in China films) believably defeat grown men in combat brings a smile to your face.

This is arguably the best martial arts film ever made. It’s very short, less than 90 minutes, and the plot and character development moves along too fast for most people to catch. But the martial arts employed by the cast is simply amazing. Get a hold of this film—but make sure to buy either the Hong Kong Legends version from the UK or the Hong Kong DVD. The Miramax DVD cuts fight scenes, changes the translation of some of the dialog, and changes the film’s musical score. The uncut original, however, is a must have for any fan of Hong Kong or martial arts films.

I guess how much you would like Iron Monkey depends on how much you like exaggerated wire-fu. When I say "exaggerated," I really mean it in this case. The movie has really no sense in reality; even pieces of clothing become deadly weapons and the fighters seem to not conform to the laws of gravity. Combined with the somewhat weak, unoriginal story (save for the fact that it shows Wong Fei-Hung as a child, something rarely done) this could be a real stinker for some people. But I really enjoyed it. The action is fast and furious, and save for a few instances where the special effects look cheap (think flying dummies), it looks really good as well, especially during the final fracas, which takes place on top of flaming poles. You can file this one in the "guilty pleasures" file; it won't win any awards any time soon, and most "purists" hate it, but it makes for a hell of a fun way to kill 90 minutes.

REVIEW:
This is a classic of the 1990's string of kung fu films that started with The Swordsman (1990), both produced by Tsui Hark. Yuen Wo Ping puts his imaginative choreography through its paces as characters gracefully execute blistering martial skills. Like many of Wo Ping's films, realism is stretched to allow for fantastic leaps and unbelievable coordination. Wo Ping really has crafted a style all his own that seems to continue to infiltrate Hollywood (witness Charlie's Angels or The Matrix). The story involving a young Wong Fei-hung is actually played by a young girl, Tsang Sze-man. The movie is somewhat of a prequel to "Once Upon A Time In China" directed by Tsui Hark which features the legendary Fei-hung as an adult. The story is well thought out with solid performances and enjoyable humor thrown in. At one point, officials are rounding up anyone associated with 'monkeys' in general including one unfortunate soul who happened to be scratching himself in an apparent 'simian' fashion at the wrong time.

Nothing remarkable as far as the DVD goes. Standard trailer, incomplete filmography, and various subtitles. The real treat is in the audio and video departments. The availability of Cantonese, Mandarin and English audio tracks is great and the quality is good except that the English dub is too quiet. The letterboxed video transfer is clear.

Iron Monkey is much better than the original Iron Monkey or the sequel, Iron Monkey 2 that Wo Ping had no involvement with. All in all, this film is a top notch modern kung fu film that runs at its own breakneck pace and follows each wonderfully choreographed fight with another. This one must be seen and should be owned by DVD collectors.

Besides doing fight and stunt choreography, Woo-Ping has also directed his share of films. He directed Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master" (often considered one of the greatest martial arts films of all time) and the incredibly silly "Wing Chun" (which, if you could make it through slapstick-esque sendup of the Battle of the Sexes, was halfway decent). He also directed the phenomenal "Fist Of Legend" (starring Jet Li), one of my favorite kung fu films.

In a movie like this, it's pretty pointless to try and pretend you've got a deep plot, because if you've half a brain, you'll see the twists coming within the first 15 minutes of the film. Rongguang Yu ("My Father Is A Hero") plays Dr. Chang, a kindhearted physician who moonlights as the Iron Monkey, who robs from the rich and gives to the poor. After Iron Monkey has crossed the authorities one too many times, the governor decides that to arrest any suspected of being the Iron Monkey. In walks Wong Kei-Ying (Donnie Yen in a great performance) and his son, young Wong Fei-Hong.

After dispatching some local bandits with incredible ease and kung fu prowess, Kei-Ying and Fei-hong are arrested and charged with being Iron Monkey. Kei-Ying promises to capture Iron Monkey in exchange for the freedom of everyone else. The governor agrees, but being the bastard he is, keeps Fei-Hong as insurance. Confused? Well, don't worry because the film is actually quite easy to follow. The plot leads quite nicely into the many elaborately choreographed fights that fill this film to the brim (and let's face it, that's why you watch it and you know it).

The martial arts in this film are quite good, if not a tad bit over the top. Those accustomed to American action films, with all of their testosterone, will just find it silly, if not annoying. The wire action is used very well, although it definitely involves the suspension of disbelief (npi). Yu and Yen both give great performances. And the Shaolin monks they fight at the end definitely have some of the more unique attacks I've seen in awhile (you'll see what I mean with "The Wonder Palm").

Most of the humor comes from watching Iron Monkey make the authorities look like fools, as they fall for traps that even a 6 year old could get themselves out of. However, there are scenes that do rise above the normal schlock, and enough background is given on the main characters, especially Dr. Chang and his assistant Orchid and their relationship, that they don't come across as two-dimensional stereotypes.

I've liked this more than other films of the genre, that being the fantasy/historical kung fu period piece. And even though it doesn't star the big guns (Jackie Chan, Jet Li, et al.), this movie definitely ranks up there with some of the better martial arts films I've seen. And it's a blast to watch. My friend and I really got into this one, and I even rewound it and watched it again. You won't see me doing that with 90% of the films I watch.

Yu Rong Kwong plays the highly respected Dr Yang who at night becomes the 'Iron Monkey'; a kind of Robin Hood who steals from rich government officials to give to the starving peasants. So frustrated is the governor that he instructs his men to detain anybody even slightly suspicious. This includes anybody practising monkey style kung fu or even mentioning the word 'monkey'.

New arrivals in town Wong Kei-ying (Donnie Yen) and his child son Wong Fei-hung unwittingly become suspects after defending themselves against street rebels. The fact that there are two of them doesn't cut any ice with the town guards. Seeing how the common people are being unjustly persecuted Wong Kei-ying sets out to capture the Iron Monkey himself so as to ease their plight.

The fight scenes display the intricacy and skill we've come to expect from Yuen Woo Ping as well as his flair for originality. While there's a fair amount of wire-work there's also enough ground based kung fu sequences. Standout moments include the first meeting between Donnie Yen and Yu Rong Kwong in a rooftop fight, another sees Yu Rong Kwong use a steel whip and the grand finale has the combatants fighting on a structure of burning poles. The wire-work complements the kung-fu nicely but scenes that are good could have been absolutely fantastic if not for the fact that they have been speeded up (ridiculously so at times). I hate the use of undercranking, especially when it is so pronounced as it is in many of the scenes in this movie. Its also completely unnecessary when a film features martial artists as competent as Donnie Yen.

The movie is still very watchable though as it has interesting characters with plenty of depth and an involving, intelligent story. Both Donnie Yen and Yu Rong Kwong carry themselves well in their roles as noble upstanding types who are still able to kick ass when the situation demands. The villains are extremely villainous and there's one particularly interesting character (don't want to give anything away) who's loyalties' are not really clear until the end.

The movie is much more than your standard kung fu flick and is definitely worth watching but I just can't get past those speeded up fight scenes.