This Hong Kong action film follows the lives of Junbao and Chin Bo who grow up learning Kung Fu in a Shaolin temple. They are eventually expelled when Chin Bo goes too far and nearly kills a fellow student who cheated in a fight. In the outside world the two initially stick together; they get into a number of fights as they help people but eventually they go their separate ways; Chin Bo joins the army of the oppressive local governor and Junbao helps the local rebels. Inevitably they will ultimately have to face each other.
Those looking for lots of action and spectacular over-the-top fight scenes should enjoy this. The story is simple but effective and the characters are fun. Jet Li is on great form as Junbao and he is ably supported by Michelle Yeoh as a fellow rebel. Siu-Ho Chin is also impressive as Chin Bo; making the character likable in the earlier part of the film but believably despicable when he joins the army and becomes more and more brutal. The fights aren't exactly realistic but that is part of their charm. As well as plenty of action there are lots of genuinely funny moments. There are quite a few deaths and a fair amount of blood but this isn't too disturbing as the blood is unrealistically orange tinted! Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting plenty of martial arts action and lots of laughs.
This comments are based on watching the 'Tai-Chi Master' version of the film in Cantonese with English subtitles.
Those looking for lots of action and spectacular over-the-top fight scenes should enjoy this. The story is simple but effective and the characters are fun. Jet Li is on great form as Junbao and he is ably supported by Michelle Yeoh as a fellow rebel. Siu-Ho Chin is also impressive as Chin Bo; making the character likable in the earlier part of the film but believably despicable when he joins the army and becomes more and more brutal. The fights aren't exactly realistic but that is part of their charm. As well as plenty of action there are lots of genuinely funny moments. There are quite a few deaths and a fair amount of blood but this isn't too disturbing as the blood is unrealistically orange tinted! Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting plenty of martial arts action and lots of laughs.
This comments are based on watching the 'Tai-Chi Master' version of the film in Cantonese with English subtitles.