5 comments about Unleashed (R-Rated Widescreen Edition).

1. This was thrilling and disappointing all at once. It takes western martial arts movies to a whole new level, then lets you down gradually, instead of sucking from the very start. As much as I love Jet Li, most of his American movies suck, which is not his fault in the least. Nor is it the fault of his choreographers like Cory Yuen, or in this case, Yuen Woo Ping. These large Hollywood companies just butcher the hell out of the fights in post-production, and this is almost an exception. Does Hollywood believe that that's what we want to see? Six angles for one punch, filmed on a shaky hand-cam? Not me. I hate that. This is still easily Jet's best film since he came to America and blows away crap like "Cradle 2 the Grave" and "The One". Though I must admit that for some reason, I loved "Kiss of the Dragon".
   
   Jet plays Danny, a "dog", raised since childhood by gangster Bob Hoskins to help with collections and other assorted tasks. Hoskins will warn potential deadbeats by threatening to remove Danny's collar, which has a Pavlovian effect on Danny where he knows it's time to kick the tar out of everyone. An accident later leaves Danny injured, wandering, assuming that Hoskins is dead, and into the care of kindly old blind piano-tuner Morgan Freeman and his step-daughter Victoria. Under their influence, Danny starts to come out of his very shy shell and appreciate the nicer things in life, like music, ice cream, warmth (temperature and human), cleanliness, and non-violence. Hoskins isn't dead of course, and Danny will have to fight again for his own freedom.
   
   What bothers me about this movie is that is sets up a silly premise and almost, almost pulls it off. Which wouldn't have bothered me as much if I wasn't so engrossed in Danny's plight. The acting is good all the way around, with an especially impressive performance by Jet. He really pulls off a combination of vicious and deadly under the care of Hoskins, and sweet, shy, and inquisitively wide-eyed under the care of Freeman. It totally sucks you in to the contrasting duality before falling short. It certainly raises some interesting questions about our own feral nature and the effects of civilization. Even more so than Tim Allen's "Jungle 2 Jungle".
   
   The fights are really what attracted me to this, as it should be. After all, this is a Jet Li movie. It likely won't disappoint. All the fights are good, but I am bothered by a film that fails to improve on the opening rumble. The final fight is flawed only by its absurdity of origin, otherwise it rocks. Jet and a bald dude duking it out in a bathroom that's barely larger than a phone booth. These brawls are quite a bit different than any that Jet & Woo Ping have done in the past, together or otherwise. Again, they are over-edited, but in the grainy, dark, "Snatch"-like film quality, they don't suffer as much.
   
   If you like American martial arts films (even though it's technically European), you should see this. It's in a league far beyond most, if not all, in that genre, and nearly transcends several others too... but not quite.



2. Unleashed (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
   
   This is a great DVD featuring an incredible movie. Unleased is probably one of Jet Li's best films, featuring him as a poor, mistreated "slave" fighting for a cruel master. One day he tastes freedom, and the rest is a dramatic roller coaster. The DVD itself is pretty thin on features, but what's there is pretty decent (behind the scenes, fight sequences, etc). Pick it up! For such a low price, you should unleash it on your home theatre!



3. Not at all what i thought it would be like based on other jet li movies. He is a good actor, but this movie is gross and hard to follow much less understand. Surprised Morgan Freeman got involved in this one.



4. basically its a story of hope, redemption, and rebirth. Danny(Jet Lee) has been raised as nothing more than an attack dog for his entire life(that he can remember). he has been forced to hurt. forced to kill. he never gets anything in return for the atrocities. he is forced to live in a cage. its the first movie in a while that actually made me care for any characters.
   
   one day a hit is taken out on his owner and company. after things quiet down and the smoke clears Danny is the only man left breathing. he takes his first steps out of the car and to freedom.
   
   He ends up being taken in by a blind Morgan Freeman and his step daughter. their kindness awakens the humanity inside Danny.
   
   i dont want to elaborate on the story beyond that. ill just say this was an amazing movie, and anyone should see it (even non action fans)
   
   great action, great story, great soundtrack, and great acting(the most and best acting ive ever seen from Jet Lee)
   
   apparently the violence was a bit much for some. now, while it was the most brutal violence ive scene in its own stylized subgenre, theres deffinitely more violent fights out there. if the sound of bones bones breaking bothers you, walk away.



5. This is a cool martial arts flick that has heart. Its not just about fighting. Its along the lines of Jackie Chan's Heart of the Dragon in that both films show people caring for each other. Both movies show characters who are mentally handicapped and are helped by someone. The non-violence side of the movie shows that Jet Li can really act. That only makes the action scenes where violence is needed all the more better. The martial arts scenes are execellent with Li fighting like a mad, stray dog. Some of the best fighting is in the pit scenes, especially when weapons are dropped in. It isn't as good as Fearless or the Once Upon a Time in China, Tsui Hark series but it does have better acting between Morgan Freeman and Jet Li then pervious Li movies.

5 comments about The Bodyguard From Beijing.

1. After Christy Chung wittness a mob killing she needs protection 24/7. Jet Li a secret agent is sent to protect her at all cause. Her house has nothing but hidden cams to watch for bad guys. At first Christy didn't want Jet Li's help and start giving him a hard time until she was being chased in a mall by the mob tring to kill her. Lucky for Li he kill all of them and saved her. Now she is starting to appericate him and tring to get to know him even be his lover. But it's good for Jet Li to blow her off cause she should of gave him a chance at first. She thought she was too good for him so served that Bi*ch right.



2. I'm a big fan of Hong Kong action movies, but Bodyguard from Beijing was merely okay. Jet Li stars as a doughty tough bodyguard from the mainland hired to protect a spoiled rich girl from Hong Kong. Sparks fly when he tries to restrict her movements and jet-setting lifestyle. The two eventually fall in love, despite the fact that his new girlfriend is already the mistress of a wealthy man.
   
   I liked the film, but didn't find it anything to shout about. The girl's nephew Billy was way irritating. Jet Li was handsome and there were some great martial arts feats but this DVD was nothing to write home about. 3 stars. Average.



3. 
   This movie was made in Hong Kong, starring Jet Li, directed by Corey Yuen. Although it is not Jet Li's best, it is nevertheless worth watching.
   
   The bodyguard (Jet Li) is assigned to protect the rich Christy Cheung, the only remaining witness to a murder case (the other two witnesses were killed weeks before the trial). At first, they don't get along, largely due to the stiff bodyguard violating her privacy, installing security cameras not only throughout the house but also her bedroom. However, a romantic relationship develops after she violates security procedures and goes shopping, only to be saved from being narrowly killed by several assassins, due to the first rate fighting skills of the bodyguard.
   
   The movie starts slowly but it builds up to excellent martial arts towards the end. The major disappointment is that the producers forgot that this was supposed to be a martial arts movie and introduced guns unnecessarily, which spoils the action. The action is not as much as I would have wished. However, the fight, towards the end is first rate, particularly when Jet Li fights Ken Lo (Jackie Chan).
   
   However, for those who like guns and also like martial arts, then this movie will excite you.



4. The Defender is perhaps one of Jet Li's more different and original of all his HK made films. The movie relies on a pretty good story filled with multiple aspects of conflict and suspense, rather than a lot of action. The lesser amount of action never phased me because I thought the movie does well without it. Thats not to say there isn't any, just not as much as most of Jet Li's movies. Fortunately, if you can't help but desire a good fight, the finale of the movie presents one of Jet Li's better fights scenes I have ever scene, a fight of originailty etched with emotion.
   
   There are a few set backs from getting a 5 star rating. The English dubbing, as always, gives the movie a cheesy feel sometimes and makes the acting seem a little week. Aside from the dubbing, there are some moments in the movie that are a bit cheesy. Jet Li's character and the woman he is ordered to protect endure continuous scenes of tension that are great to watch, since he takes his work seriously and she has a rich boyfriend who has hired the bodyguard. Though entertaining and suspenseful moments arise from these two, they also present the cheesy moments, especially the ending of the film.
   
   The Defender is a great addition to anyone who loves Jet Li movies. I'd have to say this is one of his better ones overall. Great story filled with suspense, and a wonderful final fight scene that is amongst the best. If you are looking for movie filled with action throughout, it may not please, but this is a good all-around film, giving more than most martial art films would.



5. the eng dubbed version i find kindna cheesy, so i'm glad i purchased the original version. although the video quality is poor (Average) and the eng sub (harddubbed) is hard to read, quality of the eng sub is excellent; that's what I always look for - good to excell eng subs. i wish/hope that in the near future the producers can optimize this movie with better vid quality and same quality eng subs (not eng dubbed, that is). also, yes, i highly recommend this movie to any jet li fan/collector.

5 comments about Kiss of the Dragon (Full Screen Edition).

1. After seeying the for me quite dissapointing "Romeo Must Die", I saw this film: Kiss of the Dragon. This film I found way better than "Romeo must Die" and it was very entertaining. It is a very serious and dark film with an energetic Li who shows what he's got!
   
   The story follows a Chinese Agent (Jet Li) who is sent to Paris, France to help the local cops there with an ivestigation. When on the mission he finds out that he is in a web of traitors who will try to kill him at any costs. Now, with the prove of a crime on a cassettetape, he has to run for his life!
   
   Kiss of the Draghon features 5 energetic and well choreographed action sequences that gets the adrenaline pumping. Li is absolutely fantastic and kicks and punches his way through the movie with great speed. There is one scene where Li has to fight with about 25 men, which is a may it be short but spectacular scene to see. Next to being good in the fighting, he also succeeds in giving his caracther some dramatic depth. He acts good and gives a satisfying performance.
   Bridget Fonda stars next to Li as the hooker with the golden heart. She acts good as well. She manages to stay on her feet and knows how to play the dramatic scenes well.
   As the bad guy there is Tchéky Karyo, who plays his character with such evil and anger that you just can't wait till Li gets the chance to kick his butt good!
   
   So overall, Kiss of the Dragon is a good film with good acting performances and great action. Action fans will not be dissapointed and Jet Li fans will love this film. So, an absolute must for Jet Li fans and a good film to see for action fans.



2. This is has to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen . It ranks up there with Godzilla 2000 ...



3. The crew that has something to do with Luc Besson seem to rotate jobs as films are made. From Besson there comes a line-up of action films created by Cory Yuen, Louis Leterrier, Pierre Morel, and more, all taking turns at direction, cinematography, or choreography.
   
   These movies have always been fun and easy to watch, with charming moments of clever action and a smart twist on the normal plate. "The Transporter," "Unleashed," "District B13," "Wasabi," the upcoming "War," and, of course, "Kiss of the Dragon" are among this collection.
   
   I give my review of "Kiss of the Dragon" by pointing to the contributions of Cory Yuen, the director and fight choreographer, and actors Jet Li, who co-wrote, and Cyril Raffaelli.
   
   Of the actors, this latter one is the silent blonde martial artist Jet Li fights in the climax of the film. Though examples of him are not prolific, he is swift become my favorite martial artist of the day, due partially to his enthusiasm for le parkour.
   
   "Kiss of the Dragon" features very fine action from Jet Li at the hands of Cory Yuen, highlighted with Jet Li's defeat of a room full of karate students, a brutal fight in a noodel shop with a much larger gentleman, and the seminal moment, the fight against Cyril Raffaelli. The acrobatics and speed on display in especially this final conflict are a pleasure to watch.
   
   Of course, it is the action which shines, more than making up for decent connections. One staple of the films produced by this crew is an unusually intelligent script or, instead of plot, a unique and refreshing take on the action scenes themselves. The action was great, but the plot seemed to rely too heavily on crutch of the female protagonist's status as a prostitute. Dealing with her destructive personal life in a serious way was an admirable attempt for an action film, but not enough to justify calling the script intelligent, making this an anomaly among the collection of films I've mentioned.
   
   It's a fun movie, especially in a nostalgic way- it's one of the earliest movies put out by this group of filmmakers, and for an early attempt it does well for itself. They've certainly polished themselves up with time, sort of leaving "Kiss of the Dragon" behind. But it's still fun to watch, and fun to see the early stages of some of my favorite industry names.



4. The moive itself is your standard low-budget, over the top action film. It has the usual plot and the usual action. I am not here to talk about the film, but the BD quality.
   
   The BD quality is very good and pristine - for a single layer BD with DTS-HD MA! I see the specs on Amazon do not mention that! DTS-HD Master Audio is THE reason to get this disc! It is also the reason the price is so high.
   
   The film is not bad, but if you were looking for a true martial arts film or a believable action film, this is not it. Jet Li had great promise, but most of his movies do not compare to his scenes in Lethal Weapon 4. It is something to watch, but not something to keep.



5. This movie makes me want to kill myself.
   
   F*** Bridget Fonda. Shes terrible.

5 comments about Once Upon a Time in China and America.

1. Although they managed to drag Jet Li back to the series for this installment, I personally wish they'd left the saga on the more respectable note that was the fourth sequel. Though the production values are high, with the American locations and actors being considerably better than in most HK films, the movie's plot is the weakest of the lot.
   While Sammo Hung's direction makes the best visual use of the settings, it's suprisingly the action sequences that are the biggest let-down. The number of them is fairly frequent and the choreography is reasonable, but they are just too short to hold the attention. The failure to have a strong villian for Wong Fei-Hung to battle is also a major minus point.
   There is also no attempt made to develop the characters and their relationships, as it seems the filmmakers think that dumping WFH and the gang in the middle of a Western is enough to justify making the film. It isn't.
   It's a shame such a great series of movies signs off with such a weak parting shot. One for OUATIC completists only.



2. who cares about what the indians look like, or the main bad guys overuse of an eyebrow pencil?
   This had everything you look for in a kung fu movie: action, humor and NO PLOT!!
   All the people watching this who are taking it seriously, are watching the wrong movie.

   This is the first movie i saw out of the "once upon..." series. I tried watching the first 3 after this one, and they paled in comparison.

   So if you want to watch a first rate, cheesey kung fu movie, this is for you. If you want a documentary on Native American wardrobe, go watch the Discovery Channel.

   ...




3. Well, on the outside, it would appear that Jet Li had made a triumphant return to the series that made his career. In reality, this sequel falls short of the glory of the past titles. You should know that Jet Li was replaced for Once Upon a Time in China 4 and 5. (This being the sixth) Those movies were also very much below the quality of the first two. I suppose this movie does a better job than the Vincent Zhao vehicles that are OUATIC 4 and 5, but not by much. I must say these movies are very similar. I can tell you this, the storyline deals with the whole fish out of water ordeal. The big twist in this movie is that Jet Li bangs his head on a rock and thinks he is a native american indian. Then with some coaxing from his friend, Clubfoot, (read: fighting) he goes back to normal. In my opinion the romance between Jet Li and Roseamund Kwan has never been a strong point in the series. Much like Shanghai Noon, this movie goes out with a whimper, not a bang when Jet Li fights some evil looking goth cowboyesque character on top of a platform. I have to say, the fina fight scene is sub par for any Kung Fu Film and especially Jet Li. So in the end, go enjoy Once Upon a Time in China one and two. Go enjoy the gangster masterpiece Once Upon a Time in America, but be weary of the sub-par Kung Fu/Westerner that is Once Upon a Time in China and America. I recommend "Rikki-Oh" cause as far as Kung Fu movies, it's the poorest produced flick i have ever seen, but it's also the funniest. Check it out now.



4. So Sammo Hung decided to put his name into the history books by making the last Wong Fei-Hung movie starring Jet Li. The movie starts off with Wong, Clubfoot, and Aunt 13 travelling across America to go visit Bucktooth at his new Po Chi Lam school. Wong befriends a man named Billy and they become good friends even though they can't speak eachother's language. Billy loves everything abouth the Chinese once he meets them especially their fighting skills. During an attack the group gets split up and Wong hits his head on a rock and loses his memory. He knows how to do everything he did before but he just doesn't know who he is or remember anythign liek that. So Wong lives with Indians for a while before Clubfoot finally reminds Master Wong who he is. As an injected subplot there are robbers who Master Wong, Clubfoot, and Billy have to take on in the final fight.
   
   Overall I was pretty dissapointed in this movie but it still had enough good moments to recommend it to people who have seen the other 4 Wong Fei-Hung films with Jet Li. The movie just really doesn't know what it wants to be. Some parts are over violent and while that wouldn't be so bad, Jet Li and everybody else can't make a single movement without it being wire assisted. This does become bothersome but luckily Sammo slows down on it as the movie moves along. As expected in a Sammo movie, it is hilarious at times but they should have made it just a comedy or a very serious movie and not tried to have a perfect blend of everything becasue they do anythign but. The final fight is good but still below standards of other movies in this series, even the hard to watch #3.
   
   Also this movie has to be the best showcase for Xin Xin Xiong ever right up there with 'Hero of Heroes'. Sadly he doesn't do much in the final fight but it is still a rare showcase for him. Truly one of the best, or would have been if he could have gotten more of a chance.
   
   The version I have of this movie is from China Star Entertainment Group and also has the name of Win's Entertainment group on it. The DVD is somewhat dissapointing with slightly below average picture quality and subtitles that constantly show up 5 seconds after the person has spoken making the dialogue very hard to follow. There is a 30 minute making of on the DVD and even though most of it is is Chinese, about 7 minutes are interviews with Americans and overall it is very fun to watch.



5. Okay, I have to admit that this movie is just for fun, nothing more. I think my wife and I laughed more in this Western than any Western since Cat Ballou. It is King Fu meets the Wild West! I think this must be the only movie made where there had to be more stunt men than film crew! Forget about a good story or drama - just watch the most unusual Western ever made and laugh out loud. It'll do you good!

5 comments about The Evil Cult.

1. Jet Li plays Chang Mo Kei, a young fellow who was injured as a child by a life threatening Kung Fu move called the "Jinx Palm", which has made him weak and unable to learn Kung Fu. Plus on the same day his parents were both forced to commit suicide, which, as you might expect, was also no fun. Mo Kei is raised by his father's former master, a spry 100 year-old played with great aplomb by an unrecognizable, white-haired Sammo Hung, who also did a very good job as the fight choreographer for the film. The plotline is too complex to summarize, but needless to say Jet Li starts kicking ass and taking names pretty quickly. The film is of the fantastic Kung Fu variety, with people flying through the air, and using magical Kung Fu powers which put Jedi Knights and Neo to shame.
   
   "The Evil Cult" has a variety of english titles and is based on a chinese martial arts novel which hasn't been translated to any western languages as far as I'm aware. It was supposed to be the first in a trilogy, but it didn't make enough money and so even though Jet Li, Sammo Hung, and the others involved fought to make them, it never came to pass. Apparently there have been some other films and TV Series made following the same story, but the most recent TV Series from 2003 hasn't made it to North America yet.
   Still this first part of an incomplete saga is a great kung fu flick, primarily because of the incredibly quick pace, intricate plotline, bad humour, and non stop ass-kicking fun. It overwhelms the senses and if this type of flick is your cup of tea, I think you'll find this is as good as it gets. It seems to be a style of film you either get or you don't, so don't be put off by any bad reviews you see. This isn't Proust, but has its own virtues. If you like it, you likely be frustrated when it ends before resolving much of anything plot-wise, but just hold on, I'm sure they'll do a proper remake in ten years with genetic clones of the original cast or thereabouts. We'll see.



2. I didn't care for this movie the first time I watched it. It is pretty far from believable. But the 2nd time I watched it and I knew what to expect I enjoyed it a lot more. No, humans don't shoot lightning colored chi out of their hands. And people can't live being strapped to a large boulder. But it is still a good kung fu flick.
   
   This one is SUB-TITLED and sometimes hard to read. White letters on a white background. I would like to find another version of this movie that has been dubbed in English for my collection.



3. Now I will go over later about the version that I have which has very easy to read subtitles.
   
   This movie is so freaking weird, I still cannot figure out what the hell is going on. Jet li's parents are killed in a very dramatic scene, and jet gets touched by a cursed palm. The cursed palm makes it so jet cannot become good at martial arts. So guess what, he is gonna get his skills. Ya probably did not have to guess that, but this movie really goes out of it;s way for jim to learn. Definintely not your average revenge tale.
   
   So I can't tell you exactly what I liked about this film because nothing really stands out too much, but there are so many crazy things that happen it would be impossible to list half of them. So for all you people like me who are always looking for that next great hand-to-hand movie, then this is a pretty good break.
   
   Also this movie has a ton of stars in it. And it really tries to be a BIG movie, just doesn't quite live up to what it was supposed to be, but maybe it did, give your opinion.
   
   Also-the version i have comes from widesceen, good picture quality, and BLACK OUTLINED subtitles. So you won't miss a thing, the sunbs are imbedded, but are easy to read, a first in my mind. The subs do run a little fast sometimes, but you can always pause. This has Dr. Wai on the other side(unwatchable picture quality), and comes in the JET LI COLLECTION. Don't get that boxed set with twin warriors and the bodyguard, but get the one that is like 11.99, and has a disc that has early jet li footage and also has a lengthy crowd lethal weapon 4 interview.
   I would call those special features and when I classify them like that they are certainly some of the best special features that I have ever seen.
   
   So get the jet li collection that HAS 4 MOVIES IN IT. Evil Cult master, Dr. Wai(unwatchable), lee-thal weapon, and I can't remember what the early footage feature is called.
   
   Good stuff but don't buy this version unless it is longer than 103 minutes. Also people are saying you can't read the subs for this version which is a shame bacuse it didn't have enough action in it to excuse unreadable subs.



4. Of all the movies I've heard, "Lord of Wutang" is undoubtedly the one... with the fastest pace.
   
   Really. This movie never even pauses for breath, hurtling from one plot development to the next, and barely allowing the viewer to catch up. But if you can keep up with the rapid-fire pace, it's a rewardingly bizarre and comic adventure story with a fantastical little twist.
   
   As a child, Mo-Kei (Jet Li) was hit with the deadly Jinx Palm, just before the terrible deaths of his parents. Mo-Kei grows up under the tutelage of a great master, but the Jinx Palm leaves him unable to fight or have sex -- until he and the sprightly marial artist Siu Chiu (Chingmy Yau) fall off a cliff.
   
   There, Mo-Kei encounters a wacky old hermit embedded in a boulder, who teaches him the great "Solar Stance" kung-fu and cures him of the Jinx Palm. Now Mo-Kei can seek revenge for his parents' deaths, but he and Siu Chiu find themselves in the middle of a massive power struggle between the martial-arts schools, Shaolin monks, and the Evil Sect (which doesn't seem that evil).
   
   "Lord of WuTang" is really kind of confusing -- revenge vendettas spring out of nowhere, battles start without warning, and the plot is so fast-moving that the whole thing seems to be about a day and a half's worth of action -- as soon as one subplot ends, another instantly starts. And yet, somehow despite all this craziness, it's still pretty entertaining.
   
   Perhaps that's because this isn't intended to be a serious revenge epic. It has lots of verbal and physical comedy ("Get my head off of my a**!") and bizarre characters who are thrown in just to be bizarre, like the Red Cross sex freaks and the old hermit who rolls around inside a boulder.
   
   But they don't neglect the kung-fu aspect, with lots of energy blasting, flying shields, and a great fast-paced duel between Li and a roaring Shaolin monk. It strikes a pretty good balance between the fantastical violence (flying killer shields?) and the realistic stuff that looks pretty bloody.
   
   It's hard to keep the dozens of characters straight, especially since some of the girls are almost identical in dress and body language. But Li is appealing as the naive, peace-loving guy, and Yau is just as fun as his sprightly, spunky love interest. She even gets the kung-fu equivalent of a catfight.
   
   "Lord of Wutang" is almost too fast paced to follow, but it still has a bizarre charm. Definitely worth watching.... so long as you don't leave the room.



5. Many people do not know that this is only part of a 60 volume serial.
   The main reason most people are confused about what is happening is a lack of understanding about internal energy or "Chi". This is the magic of the Orient. Many various legends of certain types of "secret" Kung Fu have existed for centuries in China and the chinese audinces are not so confused by the plot line.
   If you suspend you dis-belief this is a fantastic, fuuny, deadly serious, bloody tale of sweat revenge; betrayal and ultimate victory for the underdog. I can't find a better movie that works on all these levels.
   The english sub-titles are washed out by the background in some frames but can be gleaned if the movie is watched enough which you are sure to do.

5 comments about The Legend.

1. ... ruined by bad dubbing. Unfortunately there is there is nothing in the Amazon listing or even on the DVD case indicating that this is dubbed. A nasty trick to play on buyers who prefer the original language.



2. I recently viewed this with friends who are not versed in martial arts movies...and had a distaste for them as phony. The really enjoyed this movie...the main comment being that they had never seen anything like it. They were not expecting the humor, and the Lego Set fight scene that spills into the crowd really impresssed them. Special effects help the stunts but one has to be incredibly strong and nimble to be able to pull off the effects. I have watched Fung Sai Yuk a few times and will undoubtedly watch this movie again and again.



3. I just watched (actually by fast forwarding) "The Legend 2" and another Jet Li starrer called "Red Dragon" (not to be confused with the Hannibal/Anthony Hopkins movie of the same name) and I implore you to not waste a second of your precious time or a dime of your money on this so called martial arts crap, chinese style. First and foremost dubbing of any of these movies takes out the authentic flavor out of the original making the comedy, villiany, romance and any other kind of human emotion sound, look and feel pathetically lame. That's the big and only difference between these 'B'grade action movies from Honkong and a slicker production like "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" (slicker only, read my review of CTHD for details on that fiasco). This is no serious martial art and the comedy like those innumerable chinese martial art movies, SUCKS. I can only give some credit for the flexible acrobatics. If you wish to watch sensible Jet Li action check out his Holywood movies.



4. If you want UNCUT ORIGINAL version, ALWAYS look for ORIGINAL LICENSED Production. NOT US Release. Its a foreign film, it should not be US version to begin with~! HELLO!!!?? Why settle for LESS with US Version where they edit and cut so many excellent scenes especially with Jackie's Fighting Scenes. And US Release ruins the speed and sound as well. I have been collecting JET Li movies both HK and US Release Version for quite some time now. I found HK Version to be MUCH MORE in enjoyable, and HIGHER in Quality. American Market always like to "Americanize" and "Control". Regional Code Regulation thing is one of the example to CONTROL the Market. Why not let everyone enjoy the same HK Original Release move the same way REST OF THE WORLD enjoys it ?? No one makes Hollywood American movies to "French version" or "Chinese Version" ~! This what Americans are doing~! Well, enjoy the cheap "American version" then~! LOL



5. This movie definitely wasn't for me, I like dark movies the most, but like the occasional comedy too. This one wasn't funny enough too keep my interest. The dubbing really ruins this, but it's not quite on the badness level of Twin Warriors. The movie itself is a pretty lighthearted adventure.
   
   If you wanna see Jet in a Jackie Chan role, than this is for you.
   
   Also----------------------my pick for Fong Sai Yuk is Ho Hsoua(Md Monkey Kung fu) His performance in disciples of master Killer really stole the show for me, also it's a much better overall movie, so I would suggest disciples for anyone who like this.

5 comments about Last Hero in China.

1. I'm not sure what movie Amazon thinks this is, but it's actually a Wong Fei Hong pic starring Jet Li. And it's not his best, either. Yuen Woo-Ping did do the action choreography so it does have great fight scenes. Story was lacking though. Please, Amazon, try to get the titles and stars on these Chinese movies correct for once.



2. Not widely regarded as an extension of the "Once Upon A Time In China" series, "Last Hero In China" tends to go unmentioned as far as guilty-pleasure entertainments go. I believe that the film's quality (though the Wong Jing humor is debatable) is right on par with the series, as once again Jet Li braids his hair to assume the identity of Wong Fei-Hung and rip some naughty miscreants a new one. Yes, Jet Li is in the role NOT Jackie Chan, as Amazon's blurb mistakenly implies. Though both actors have personified the role, it is in this film's final fight that I finally got to see Jet Li's bout at Drunken Boxing for my first time ever (thus the review's title). If he does it in older movies, I haven't seen it yet. But he demonstrates the stance with all the effortless acrobatic ability his legions of fans have grown accustomed to. Plus, Yuen "you only wish you could choreograph action like me" Woo-Ping offers us a shot at Fei-Hung delving into Chicken Style against a ten-man centipede, plus numerous other wire-fu goodies that'll put a stoned grin onto any viewers face.
   No real special features on the disc to even mention save the inherent but ever-necessary widescreen, but then again I own the HK version. The only drawback...? Where's Auntie 13 (Rosamund Kwan)? She writes Fei-Hung a letter in the movie, but that's all we get. Sigh... But enjoy -- this is as ridiculously fun a movie as you could want from Sir Jet.



3. This was such an awesome movie.
   
   Remove everything you ever knew about the Once upon a time in china series from your head, except for Jet Li playing the serious Wong fei-hung. Then make this movie one of the craziest and funniest movies ever and stick Wong fei-hung in the middle of it. What you have is a very enjoyable movie. And as much as I did like it, the music was the best part for me. For those of you that know the OUATIC series, you know Tsui Hark was the first ones to put lyrics in a movie to the Wong fei-hung theme song. Well then Jing Wong was the second. Great Soundtrack.
   
   All you people trying to stick through it all the way, please wait until the end fight.



4. But if you are a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of Jet Li playign wong fei-hung, like I am, then this will be a VERY funny movie for you.
   
   The story starts out with a some outlaws being chased by the government, and these guys are pretty tough. One of the guys took a guard by the head and threw his body onto like a shelf or something and the guys body cripples in half like he was holding a pillow.
   
   You are going to get a lot of that type of action. I am a HUGE fan of the old school peking style that Lau Kar Leung used, I love the hand to hand. And while you don't get too much of that, you get enough and the stunt are really cool.
   
   Now my favorite part of this movie are the ones where he has this CRAZY general talking to Wong, I can't even explain the way the guy was acting, it was sow eird and it was also kinda cool. So Jet is sitting in a chair and the general is asking to see his kung fu skills and the general is so close to the face(on purpose of course) to Jet's face you can just see how great of an actor for making it this whole scene without busting out laughing. CAUSE THE GENERAL WAS THE MAN, HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES THIS MOVIE FUNNY, JUST TRY TO TELL ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE GREATEST VOICE ACTING JOB IN THE HISTORY OF DUBBING, but I will get back to this when I tell you the dvd that you should seek out.
   
   So I don't want to give the story away cause it's not that great but very very funny.
   
   So like I said in another review of this, remove everything you knew about the OUATIC series except leave wong as a serious guy. Then make everything that happens around him just a strait up slap stick comedy and see how wong react, it is absolutely hilarious.
   
   Now I wanna go over some of the reasons you should see this movie.
   
   WONG FEI-HUNG VS. MASTER KILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   Beardy and bucktooth reunited, to know about this you have to go 11 years before this film was made and watch legend of a fighter. It is my favorite MA movie EVER, and I have a review on this on the vhs side under secret master. The chemistry was absolutely beautiful in that movie.
   
   IF YOU ARE A FAN OF JET LI, THEN I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND TELL YOU THIS IS MY 2ND FAV JET LI AS WONG MOVIE EVER. so in other words I rate it #2 out of the 5 he was in.
   
   BUT I ALSO RATE THIS MOVIE ABOVE LEGEND 1 AND 2, ENFORCER, EVIL CULT, KISS OF THE DRAGON, OK I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE LISTED THE ONES I LIKE MORE INSTEAD CAUSE THIS IS LIKE A TOP 3 JET MOVIE FOR ME.
   
   I'm not a fan of most of of Jing Wong's stuff, but this one I feel is one of his better efforts, ALSO JET'S ACTING PERFORMANCE IN THIS RIVALS THE 1ST OUATIC MOVIE. SO DEFINITELY ONE OF HIS BEST ACTING JOBS.
   
   
   Now the dvd that I have is 105 MINUTES LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   i mean it wass almost too freaking long for me, now how often does that happen in kung fu. How many people said in secret rivals like oh I wish they would have cut out some of the training sequences or that funny part could have gone or the final fight could have been a bit shorter? The version that I have is from Red Sun. It is full screened but the movie has a very good picture and the full screened seriously does not even affect anything!
   
   SO OVERALL A VERY WEIRD MOVIE AND YEAH JUST VERY WEIRD. BUT DEFINITELY FOR ANY JET LI FAN, SO PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME TO SEEK THIS OUT AND DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION, CAUSE IT SI NOTHING BUT BAD REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   
   Also the sountrack to this is the freaking shiznit.



5. I am writing this review without having even seen the movie itself, for the shock I got as I received this product was enough. I got the dvd, and the first thing that hit me was that the cover did not fit on the box well.. why? because it was printed on a home printer, and when I opened it, the product itself apparently was burned at home as well. Basically, I paid for an original movie and got a bootleg.

5 comments about Deadly China Hero/Killer.

1. I'm not sure what movie Amazon thinks this is, but it's actually a Wong Fei Hong pic starring Jet Li. And it's not his best, either. Yuen Woo-Ping did do the action choreography so it does have great fight scenes. Story was lacking though. Please, Amazon, try to get the titles and stars on these Chinese movies correct for once.



2. Not widely regarded as an extension of the "Once Upon A Time In China" series, "Last Hero In China" tends to go unmentioned as far as guilty-pleasure entertainments go. I believe that the film's quality (though the Wong Jing humor is debatable) is right on par with the series, as once again Jet Li braids his hair to assume the identity of Wong Fei-Hung and rip some naughty miscreants a new one. Yes, Jet Li is in the role NOT Jackie Chan, as Amazon's blurb mistakenly implies. Though both actors have personified the role, it is in this film's final fight that I finally got to see Jet Li's bout at Drunken Boxing for my first time ever (thus the review's title). If he does it in older movies, I haven't seen it yet. But he demonstrates the stance with all the effortless acrobatic ability his legions of fans have grown accustomed to. Plus, Yuen "you only wish you could choreograph action like me" Woo-Ping offers us a shot at Fei-Hung delving into Chicken Style against a ten-man centipede, plus numerous other wire-fu goodies that'll put a stoned grin onto any viewers face.
   No real special features on the disc to even mention save the inherent but ever-necessary widescreen, but then again I own the HK version. The only drawback...? Where's Auntie 13 (Rosamund Kwan)? She writes Fei-Hung a letter in the movie, but that's all we get. Sigh... But enjoy -- this is as ridiculously fun a movie as you could want from Sir Jet.



3. This was such an awesome movie.
   
   Remove everything you ever knew about the Once upon a time in china series from your head, except for Jet Li playing the serious Wong fei-hung. Then make this movie one of the craziest and funniest movies ever and stick Wong fei-hung in the middle of it. What you have is a very enjoyable movie. And as much as I did like it, the music was the best part for me. For those of you that know the OUATIC series, you know Tsui Hark was the first ones to put lyrics in a movie to the Wong fei-hung theme song. Well then Jing Wong was the second. Great Soundtrack.
   
   All you people trying to stick through it all the way, please wait until the end fight.



4. But if you are a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of Jet Li playign wong fei-hung, like I am, then this will be a VERY funny movie for you.
   
   The story starts out with a some outlaws being chased by the government, and these guys are pretty tough. One of the guys took a guard by the head and threw his body onto like a shelf or something and the guys body cripples in half like he was holding a pillow.
   
   You are going to get a lot of that type of action. I am a HUGE fan of the old school peking style that Lau Kar Leung used, I love the hand to hand. And while you don't get too much of that, you get enough and the stunt are really cool.
   
   Now my favorite part of this movie are the ones where he has this CRAZY general talking to Wong, I can't even explain the way the guy was acting, it was sow eird and it was also kinda cool. So Jet is sitting in a chair and the general is asking to see his kung fu skills and the general is so close to the face(on purpose of course) to Jet's face you can just see how great of an actor for making it this whole scene without busting out laughing. CAUSE THE GENERAL WAS THE MAN, HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES THIS MOVIE FUNNY, JUST TRY TO TELL ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE GREATEST VOICE ACTING JOB IN THE HISTORY OF DUBBING, but I will get back to this when I tell you the dvd that you should seek out.
   
   So I don't want to give the story away cause it's not that great but very very funny.
   
   So like I said in another review of this, remove everything you knew about the OUATIC series except leave wong as a serious guy. Then make everything that happens around him just a strait up slap stick comedy and see how wong react, it is absolutely hilarious.
   
   Now I wanna go over some of the reasons you should see this movie.
   
   WONG FEI-HUNG VS. MASTER KILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   Beardy and bucktooth reunited, to know about this you have to go 11 years before this film was made and watch legend of a fighter. It is my favorite MA movie EVER, and I have a review on this on the vhs side under secret master. The chemistry was absolutely beautiful in that movie.
   
   IF YOU ARE A FAN OF JET LI, THEN I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND TELL YOU THIS IS MY 2ND FAV JET LI AS WONG MOVIE EVER. so in other words I rate it #2 out of the 5 he was in.
   
   BUT I ALSO RATE THIS MOVIE ABOVE LEGEND 1 AND 2, ENFORCER, EVIL CULT, KISS OF THE DRAGON, OK I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE LISTED THE ONES I LIKE MORE INSTEAD CAUSE THIS IS LIKE A TOP 3 JET MOVIE FOR ME.
   
   I'm not a fan of most of of Jing Wong's stuff, but this one I feel is one of his better efforts, ALSO JET'S ACTING PERFORMANCE IN THIS RIVALS THE 1ST OUATIC MOVIE. SO DEFINITELY ONE OF HIS BEST ACTING JOBS.
   
   
   Now the dvd that I have is 105 MINUTES LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   i mean it wass almost too freaking long for me, now how often does that happen in kung fu. How many people said in secret rivals like oh I wish they would have cut out some of the training sequences or that funny part could have gone or the final fight could have been a bit shorter? The version that I have is from Red Sun. It is full screened but the movie has a very good picture and the full screened seriously does not even affect anything!
   
   SO OVERALL A VERY WEIRD MOVIE AND YEAH JUST VERY WEIRD. BUT DEFINITELY FOR ANY JET LI FAN, SO PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME TO SEEK THIS OUT AND DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION, CAUSE IT SI NOTHING BUT BAD REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   
   Also the sountrack to this is the freaking shiznit.



5. I am writing this review without having even seen the movie itself, for the shock I got as I received this product was enough. I got the dvd, and the first thing that hit me was that the cover did not fit on the box well.. why? because it was printed on a home printer, and when I opened it, the product itself apparently was burned at home as well. Basically, I paid for an original movie and got a bootleg.

1 comments about Hero (Extended Edition) DVD + Booklet Package.

1. Hero genuinely impressed me, much to my surprise - I'm not a fan of the humourlessly one-note Jet Li, who has always struck me as a character from Mystery Men who didn't make the final cut (useless `super' power - the ability to wave a flagpole around very, very fast) and after all the fuss made over the tedious, overlong and undernourished Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was expecting the Western critical praise to translate into another tired and overfamiliar movie that appealed mainly to people who hadn't seen much Eastern cinema. Boy, was I wrong. A gorgeous looking epic with a real sense of scale and amazing visuals allied to a complex plot, I was kicking myself for not seeing this one on the big screen. Not everything is successful (the duel on the lake never quite works), but more than enough is to guarantee repeat viewings. Li's limitations are used well for once and while Ziyi Zhang's petulant acting still doesn't entirely convince me, it's surprising to find the weakest performance coming from the film's best actor, Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Never at his most convincing in fantasy swordplay movies (the introspective Ashes of Time excepted), he seems a little underpowered for such an iconic role. But these are minor quibbles with a major delight.
   
   There is one irritating problem with the directors cut disc, however - a watermarked logo that periodically appears in the upper corner of the frame that can only be gotrid of by skipping the disc back a second or two when it appears. The behind the scenes documentary isnn't subtitled into English, but the feature is.

5 comments about New Legend of Shaolin.

1. offers enough novel action and cute humor to satisfy. For us guys, the female thief is cute, sexy, funny. Standout scene for me is when Jet, as a bodyguard, is courted by her when she tries to measure him up for some badly needed new clothing. The kid also deserves mention: evidently this kid is the real deal and his fight with other kids is a somewhat rare sight. Fight scenes are more stylised than actual but they are choreographed with style. Toward the end there is a big surprise when the vile baddie shows up. He is really different and nasty as hell. You won't believe what he has and Jet has a real challenge to beat him. Overall, should please anyone who likes the feudal period.



2. This is not a bad flick and there are 2 or 3 fight scenes worth watching again - but Jet Li's stoic performance is overshadowed by unrealistic wire stunts and silly gimics. Surprisingly, I was not annoyed by the young kung fu kid in this one (I'm almost always annoyed by these "cutsey" kid kung fu interludes)... it was actually rather amusing - but (yes another but), the villian just wasn't good enough, and that's always a downer. The villian rides around in some metalic shiney future mobile that is so dumb it surpasses absurd insanity and falls into the "what the hell was this movie about anyways."? Still can't figure out what the director was thinking.



3. The only collaberation between Jing Wong and Jet Li that I thought was great was 'Claws of Steel' AKA 'Last Hero In China'. The other 3 movies were not a complete waste though. The only 3 reasons I can think of why he would ever work with Jing is Woo Ping, Corey Yuen, and Sammo Hung. And Corey Yuen really goes over the top with this one but there are a few fights worth seeing. Jet Li plays a stone-faced character and he does it so well. He looks as serious as he can be and it definately goes hand in hand with the way that he can do such a quick action movement and then just be so still afterwords. His awesome performance is so out of place in a Jing Wong movie it is sad to see but still worth a watch.
   
   Now when watching a Jing Wong movie expect a lot of things to not make sense, expect not to see any action for a couple of long periods of time, but expect it to have energy and that drive it needs to keep going. Right away comes a scene played out from 'Lone Wolf and Cub' with Jet being serious like Ogami Ito and Jet's infant son decides to pick the sword and live on the run rather than pick the ball and go to heaven. Even in a scene like this that should be great he has to change it from LW&C and make it so Jet guides the boy to the ball. The first action sequence of the movie is by far the best. In a Jing Wong movie you know that you will have a super low budget and filming will last 2 weeks max(seriously), so that means Corey Yuen has to do as much as he can with limited everything. Luckily he has Jet and his son in the movie Xie Mao who you can also see with Jet in 'My Father Is a Hero'. Xie Mao has AWESOME skills, or at least did and since there are not a lot of great kid screen fighters, he gives the film a bit of a unique feeling.
   
   So the movie starts out with Jet's Shaolin brother(Gai Chun-wa) betraying him and the best fight of the movie comes first sadly. Gai Chun-wa from Jet Li's Shaolin Temple movies and 'Fong Sai Yuk 2' is as good of a villian you will ever find. His Wolverine claws are freaking sweet and even when Jing Wong puts a bunch of stupid makeup on him and makes him a monster, you still can't cover up his intensity. Now again, since this is a Jing Wong movie and you get a bunch of mindless plots that come and go. The mother and daughter as thieves work best only because Chingmy Yau is good in her role and Deannie Yip is such a wonderful actress. I wouldn't recommend this if you are not a Jing Wong fan but if you are then you will love all butt in the face jokes and such.
   
   There is actually a recent commentary on this disc so Tai Seng must have re-released it again since I just recently bought this movie. I hadn't seen it in a long time and last time I saw it was the Sony Pictures version which is cut and English dubbed. Tai Seng has the original audio on here though they didn't put on an English track and it is in it's original 16:9 screen format. The commentary is from Ric Myers, Frank Jane, and some guy who I think they said is the presodent of Marvel Comic movies. The commentary is not bad but they should have at least talked more about what is going on with martial arts movies today. I haven't heard many Tai Seng commentaries in the past few years and it just could have been much better. Frank Jane of course gives you the most info just like all the commentaries but he only says a few words here and there as Ric rambles on throughout. I don't like to rate commentaries but this was slightly above average.



4. This is a fun film and one of the few from the period where Jet just seems to have some fun and go off. But this is a pretty sorry release for it. So Tai Seng is releasing widescreen laser disc masters again? Niiicccee. Wait for a better release. At least that one might not have a Ric Meyers commentary on there. If there's a sure sign of a lack of care from a company releasing kung fu films, it's Meyers' name anywhere on the product.



5. The customer review currently featured first here urges us to buy the New Legend of Shaolin DVD, but many will actually prefer the Legend of the Red Dragon DVD. (For those not aware, these are different releases of the same movie, and the reviews are mixed together here. The Shaolin release is from Tai Seng, a company with a mixed reputation for importing Hong Kong movies; the Red Dragon release is from Sony/Columbia Tristar. What appears to be essentially the same Tai Seng DVD is also here.)
   
   There are two main differences between the two versions.
   
   1. The Red Dragon version is edited so that it's 12 minutes shorter than the Tai Seng Shaolin version. I don't think that necessarily makes it worse. This isn't Citizen Kane, or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. After the misleadingly grave beginning, this is mainly a low-budget, wacky martial-arts comedy, with over-the-top fights and characters, humorous throughout. Judging from comparisons at Hong Kong movie websites, the cuts don't change anything of great importance.
   
   And the 95-minute Tai Seng Shaolin release isn't really the fullest version anyway. Amazon also lists a 100-minute version. I'd happily watch a longer version, but I didn't feel any great gaps that interfered with anything all that important in Legend of the Red Dragon, or find myself wishing it was longer.
   
   2. The other main difference is that Red Dragon offers the English dub only, while Shaolin offers Chinese with optional English subtitles only, with no option for an English dub.
   
   As it happens, the English dubbing on the Red Dragon version is hilarious; it's hard to imagine that the original Chinese is any funnier, especially to those who don't speak Cantonese, or that the subtitles bring out some subtle humor missed in the dub.
   
   So, if you're taking this movie the way it appears to be intended, that is, not so seriously, and you don't speak Chinese, you might prefer the Red Dragon version with the English dubbing. It's currently very cheap used.
   
   If you're not familiar with Jet Li, he's a great martial artist with a long career in Hong Kong and some American movies, capped by the recent Fearless (which is the kind of film that's better in its longer version). If you like Jackie Chan's cheaper outings, or want to see some impressively choreographed martial arts action in a mainly comedic setting, try out whichever version of this movie and you'll have a good time.
   
   Both versions are in non-anamorphic widescreen. The image quality is good.
   
   ("Red Dragon" is a key place name in the move, by the way, so perhaps not entirely gratuitously chosen for the title. Not that it really matters. A final note: don't confuse this with the movie called simply Red Dragon--that's a completely different animal, and not half as much fun, in my view.)