Roy Hart
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
Jemima
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
Haven Kaycee
It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film
dbjurstrom
I've seen it done by Bruce lee (Fist of Fury) I've seen it by Jet Li (Fist of Legend) and now this. For the people that have seen the old two movies, you don't need to read this. You will now what i mean. The first one is a classic, Bruce never where a talented actor..But he is and was a legend. And when it came the concept was quite new in the west. (China-Japanese war) Then in 1994 "Fist of legend" came. But Jet Li as the angry master. For some reason i love that to. Many amazing fights, and Li actually does a quite good acting job in it. And now this, i love Donny yen. After the "Ip man" movies his one of my favorite action stars. But this what a complete load of ****. lost half my respect for Donny, The fights are not even half good. People say that its only the first 10 and last 10 minutes that is good in this, NO they ain't they are rubbish as every other minute in this complete load of crap. First of Donnie Yen is a REALLY good fighter, they don't need ropes and weird moves to make his fights look cool, just a good choreographer.(and i think you can find a load of those in China^^) The concept "Evil Japanese against pore Chinese" (i know it its history and the Japanese really where beast against China) But for crying out load at least 1 of every 3 movies China makes are about that. The concept is so old that i think a part in the old testament is about it...wow did i just do a so old joke. And the acting is terrible Donnie can do so much better. (and i know it should feel like Bruce lee in both "fist and fury" and "The green hornet - Kato" But no there is a limit.I give it a 2 because they tried to make it in respect for Bruce..But really he probably turns in the grave by it.
gavin6942
Seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after discovering who was responsible...You have to love Donnie Yen. The day of martial arts films may have passed decades ago, but with Yen, it should come back. The film things I have seen him in are among the best martial arts films I have ever experienced.What I liked about this film was that it had martial arts mixed with warfare, and also Chinese history. Martial arts alone would have sold this film, but mixing fists with guns is a nice touch... and putting it into the context of the Chinese resistance to Japan? Brilliant.Another thing about this film... the disparity between the English dub and the English subtitles is big enough that it not only rarely matches, it almost tells two completely different stories. I suggest that if you have the dub on, keep the subtitles on, too. It is pretty funny seeing how far off the two versions are -- and some of the jokes appear in one version but not the other, so to get the full effect both parts are needed.
David Fu
The action scenes with Donny Yen are incredible. There is some Parkour in this film. (A few monkey vaults, impressive moves.)The film also alludes to one of Bruce Lee's greatest fighting scenes. However, those who see all martial arts films for just action will miss the themes of the movie. The importance in a film or a work is the message and meaning it conveys, not the plot.This is a film not fully based on historical events. Chen Zhen is a work of fiction, as is any superhero.Martial arts, Traceurs, and those who can connect to the characters all have a reason to watch this film.
Angelus2
Chen Zhen returns from France to save his country from the Japanese, and takes on the role of a superhero. That's the basic plot. The film draws out the plot, and places numerous characters with different stories.The opening fight scene was quite spectacular, as Chen Zhen lays waste to his enemies and protects his friends with amazing kung-fu, but then it just goes downhill, the plot is perhaps the main problem and the actors fail to provide a decent performance. After watching Ip Man and the sequel, I expected Donnie to ascend the ranks of his fellow Martial Art movie stars, but instead he descends to a place far lower. The rest of the fight scenes are too fast and rely heavily on wires, therefore Donnie's true Kung-Fu potential is never seen.Sure, a tribute is wonderful to watch. But when you bring a legendary character back to life, you better get it right...Yen failed miserably. I loved the Ip Man films, and Dragon Tiger Gate; and envisioned Donnie as the saviour of Kung-fu movies..But something went wrong along the way.
