Stars: Jet Li, Chin Siu Ho, Billy Chau, Yuen Cheung Yan, Yasuka Kurata, Yu Kan Ping

Director: Gordon Chan

Summary: A loving homage to the 1973 Bruce Lee kung fu classic CHINESE CONNECTION, updated with increased production values, a ROMEO AND JULIET-style romantic subplot, and a more temperate view of the Japanese enemy. A martial arts protege (Li) leads his classmates in revolt after their teacher is poisoned by the invading Japanese. The final fight scene is arguably one of the best of all time. Fights choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping, action director of THE MATRIX.

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Reviewed by: cooljimbop
Posted on July 20, 2005 3:34 PM

As martial arts fights go, this movie has some of the best, in particular a 9 minute long karate/kung-fu showdown at the end. The story mainly relies on the fights to propel it forward and the dubbing is awful. It is not as beautiful as Hero and not as raw as Ong Bak. It should appeal to most marital arts lovers, but not purists as there is wire work. The fights are the centre pieces, however, so I often skip the story and watch just the fights. Impressive nevertheless.

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Jet Li stars in Fist of Legend, a 1994 remake of The Chinese Connection(also known as Fists of Fury, which starred the greatest martial arts legend of them all, Bruce Lee). This film is set in 1937, when Shanghai was occupied by the Japanese and racial tensions were high. Jet Li is Chen Zhen, who returns to Shanghai to avenge the death of his master, whom he learns was poisoned. His popular freestyle fighting technique and Japanese girlfriend do not endear him to his former friend, now his master's successor at the martial arts school.

If Jackie Chan is inspired by Buster Keaton, Li seems to be channelling Steve McQueen here. He speaks softly and carries a big kick, and like Steven Seagal, even when he is under siege by a horde of attackers, no one can lay a finger on him. The dialogue and dubbing are atrocious, but the fight sequences are incredible (they were choreographed by Woo-ping Yuen, who lent his expertise to The Matrix). Perhaps most memorable is a bout between Chen and his girlfriend's uncle during which the combatants wear blindfolds. This is essential viewing for martial arts buffs and Li's growing legion of fans. --Donald Liebenson, Amazon.com

Main Language:	Cantonese, Chinese
Region:	Region 2
Year:	1994
Release Date:	April 1, 2004
Runtime:	99 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	B E D 888481
Keywords:	Action, General, Fist, Legend, Adventure, Elevation
Genre:	Action/Adventure