yurshta
I myself am a eclectic martial art stylist who blends Wing Chung Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Professional Wrestling, and Krav Maga into a single loosely structured flexible system I call "Combat Wrestling", and of course, I like a good martial art film now and then. Prior to Bruce Lee's days, the Kung Fu and Karate Films made in the Orient cared little for realism and moved more towards fantasy. Bruce Lee brought some realism back, and other martial art actors like Chuck Norris, and Steven Seagal (sp?) also tried to keep the fight scenes realistic, often doing the fight choreography as well. However, I have been dismayed at the ridiculous scenes being filmed currently both in the East and West involving the use of cables so a fight scene includes some ridiculous sequence of guys jumping from trees to trees or backwards to a rooftop, or leaping forward and kicking like 20 time alternately with both feet. It is quite fitting that the Scary Movie series and the Austin Powers have both spoofed these absurd fight scenes. There have been many actors in the past who have tried to step into the shoes of Bruce Lee, with 10,000 cheap imitations, only a handful possessing any talent or skill to a remarkable degree and none like the Master Bruce Lee.However, the Kung-Fu Magazine hall-of-famer, Jason Yee, is a fellow worth watching, and may be an exception to the rule. I hope so. I'm getting tired of directors trying to foster the illusion of an actor or actress who couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag being some Master martial artist (with a little help of wires, stunt doubles, and camera angles). Of course, movie fights have to be faked or serious injury or death could result. Often the stunt men are more highly trained than the actors, and I deplore this giving a 30 day crash course in Kung Fu or Karate Weapons or hand to hand to some actor who doesn't have the real skills. It is dangerous for all concerned. I'd like to see the return of the actor/martial artist combo like Lee, Norris, Jackie Chan, Steven Seagal. Jason Yee shows real promise as a martial arts actor.But then, many people wouldn't watch a "Karate" movie if they were paid to see it. "All that senseless violence...what shame!" I wonder sometimes what planet these guys were born on, as if John Wayne shooting up the bar in a Western is any less "senseless", and notice how the worship and adoration of firearms---the great equalizer---has turned our streets into shooting galleries. Now everybody is a potential killer, not just a highly trained fighting elite.But the fault is not in the possession of firearms, but the tendency to go straight for the gun or other weapon and use deadly force for the slightest of problems. But then, our own government does this and sets a good example for thugs to emulate. Uncle Sam will attack with the slightest provocation with such goodies as bunker busters, and cluster bombs? Why can't I, Joe Average Citizen do the same?Actually, some martial arts training would help REDUCE violence in the streets. Sound martial art philosophy, the Golden Mean---standing between the "Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out" school, and the extreme and absurd nonviolence taught in some other schools, where the student is taught a skill which is forbidden to ever be used.Frankly, I wouldn't want a man living as my neighbor who would just stand still and meditate as two thugs butchered his wife and children. Such a man is worse scum than the thugs who attack.There is a middle path that lies between, the path of truth. Use no force greater than necessary in the given circumstances. This then is the famous Oath of Peace made famous not by Boddhidharma, but Steven R. Donaldson the fantasy writer.It runs in part "Do not harm when words are enough...do not maim when injury is enough, do not kill when maiming is enough...". Good cops, good soldiers, and good martial artists always follow this creed. But alas, we live in a society where the Natural right to defend oneself from aggressive human predators has been almost totally obliterated by modern governments. Do not fight back, just call the cops, and let the professionals handle it. This kind of stupidity is ominous. Often by the time the government which desires to control every facet of our lives gets to the scene, you or your loved ones are dead. Small comfort that the thugs who put you or your loved ones in their graves are apprehended and punished AFTER THE FACT.But what is the answer? A gun on every belt? A box of Hand Grenades in every car? How about reducing this craving fear of everything and everybody! Martial arts can help here better than a million dollars worth of psycho-therapy.How about a real martial arts training in the schools. A real martial art, not a lukewarm watered down nice and sweet claptrap with a smattering of Zen or Taoism as cream on top. The Warrior Path, paradoxically does not lead to wanton violence, but rather effectively eliminates it. But finding a real martial art, instead of a saccharine watered down version that is a total waste of time and money, is not easy! Good luck! Enjoy this film, but remember...it is only fantasy!
joyjoy_boy
I just rented this film after looking at the cover for weeks at Blockbuster. I was curious because I remember seeing Jason Yee fight on cable back in the 90's. The story is decent, about a guy just out of prison that becomes a suspect in the murders of his old gang members. It's good to see Asian-Americans like Jason Yee being proactive by producing his own movie; it's amazing what he did on a low-budget. It was refreshing to see decent hard-hitting action with no-strings or CGI but, I wish there was more. Definitely a good film to watch for aspiring filmmakers, the behind the scenes on the DVD are cool because you get an idea of how hard film-making is. I think Jason is a good actor, especially for having to direct the film at the same time and do his own action stunts. He was able to deliver decent production values with a decent story, I enjoyed it.
tamaki-s
Finally i was able to see this film. I have been trying to rent it from Blockbuster for the past few weeks and it has always been out. The manager at the local Blockbuster told me its hardly ever on the shelf, he has wanted it for himself. The martial arts in this film is better than that in huge budget productions. No flying wires or special effects, just real deal martial arts. I found it much easier to get into the story because of the credibility that Jason Yee's martial arts portfolio adds to the mix. What these guys did with their limited resources is incredible, and it works! This film is like a metaphor for what many people go through in their everyday life - just trying to get by when it seems like the whole world is against you- you can sympathize with the Derek Wu character. Jason Yee's homage to Bruce Lee shows that he is serious about his work and has respect for a legend. Jason Yee has what it takes to be a legend himself. I can't wait to see his next film. I really enjoyed this one.
user-5250
I'm a fan of action films with lots of martial arts, so I know how to enjoy a brainless movie from time to time. But this one is so bad it's incomparable.The characters in this movie are typical and dull, always falling into the same pattern over and over again. The "story" can't entertain a viewer for more than 30 minutes because of the boring acting by most of the cast. If they can't even keep a straight face or tone of voice while making this, then why should I when I watch it, even though it's not meant to be comedy.Even if you manage to look past all that and try to enjoy it for the fights, it still disappoints: no original moves, lousy stunt work and 'enemies suddenly distracting each other so the main character can get away, even though all exits are locked' are some of the things that come into mind.Maybe in the end my expectations were too high, but then again, how low do I have to set my standards to be able to enjoy a movie? I will never see a movie written or directed by Jason Yee again.
