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Jet
Li’s Fearless
by Kai Van Dusen, Staff Writer
His
final film, Jet Li's Fearless was released September 22 tells the
intriguing and true story of Huo Yuanjia (Li) a Chinese wushu
martial arts master and his life in China.
A tournament has been organized by
the British in China to insult the Chinese by defeating them in
combat. One man, Huo Yuanjia has agreed to fight against the three
greatest fighters in Europe as well as an undefeated Japanese
martial artist for the honor of his people. The first three
combatants fall fairly quickly to Yuanjia's impeccable fighting
skills, leaving only the Japanese champion Tanaka (Shido Nakamura).
Before the final fight a flashback occurs showing Yuanjia as a boy
desperately trying to get his father (Collin Chou) to teach him the
wushu fighting style.
Later he has become an excellent
fighter.. But when his arrogance leads to the death of his opponent
as well as his mother and daughter, Yuanjia sails to a remote
village where he meets Moon (Betty Sun) a blind cook. He resides
with her for several years until he realizes the true meaning of the
martial art he has mastered.
He returns to his town which has been
overrun by the British who insult the Chinese and call them the
"weak men of the east." Yuanjia sets out on the journey to restore
his country's honor.
Ronny Yu does a great job of
directing Chris Chow's captivating story. The combination of the
movie's martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo Ping and Stunt
coordinator Mark Huzi Wu is amazing and does wonders for the movie's
plentiful action. The fighting scenes ranging from complex hand to
hand fights to flawless sword combat is spellbinding. The movie's
great storyline, flawless choreography and a great surprise ending
makes a great movie experience for any martial arts fan. Jet Li's
final cinematic appearance is worth seeing while it is still in
theaters.
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