Fist of Legend

It's roughly based on a true story, set during the the
second World War. Jet Li (Li Lian Jie) plays Chen
Zhen of Jingwo Mun (a Kung Fu School)in Shanghai.
While Studying in Kyoto University Japan, Chen finds
out teacher Huo has been beaten by a Japanese
(Japanese might as well be translated as bad guy
for most chop socky flicks). Not believing his
teacher could be beaten by a Japanese master,
Chen sets off to prove his suspicions (via. Kicking
everyone's ass). Firstly he beats the Jap. Then he
beats up his own kind. Then he goes back for another
taste of Japanese. During all of this he stumbles on a
secret Japanese plan to invade China.
The final sequence is excellent. Chen is pitted against
the evil Jap General played by Billy Chow, who comes
across as a real life Terminator, cyborg with the help
of Balsa wood, Slow motion, thudding SFX, and of
course a bit of Kung Foolery. Anyway Chen wins the
day, and the last shot sees him gallivanting off to take
on another army single handily.

1. The story is simple yet it is very clear, and does
more than the trick as a vehicle for a chop socky film.
2. Visually the Film is very pretty. Firstly it is lit
extremely well which creates a very authentic feel.
The costumes are very well chosen for each character,
especially in Li's case. The black, tight fitting Japanese
School uniform with white socks and polished hard
black shoes is perfect for Li's tough, po faced
performance. The hard black shoes serve as a
particularly nasty shin denting weapon.
3. The Cast is perfect.
Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China,Shaolin Temple,
Lethal Weapon 4) is of course one of the most polished
and slick Wu Su performers, his movements are crisp
and sharp, he's the biz. Li's screen persona is perfect
for Chen Zhen.
Yasuaki Kurata (Shaolin Challenges Ninja) plays
Chen's girlfriend's uncle. Kurata has been Japanese
punch bag in many a chop socky film. He is a skilled
screen martial artist and a veteran to this crazy
industry. A valuable addition to this jet paced
rollercoaster of a movie.
Billy Chow (Sammo Hung's - Pedicab Driver) This tall
fighter gives the Jet a run for his money as he appears
almost indestructible, almost!. I don't know much about
Chow but he must be good if he can keep up with the Jet.
Chin Siu Hao(Tai Chi Master with Jet Li) Hao plays the
eldest senior in the school. This guy is yet another top
quality screen fighter. Again here's a guy who looks
good when pitted against Jet li, so I have to give top
marks there.
Girlfriend She's Just really cute in an elven kind of way.
4. Fight choreography combined with Hong Kong style
editing, ensure that the fight sequences fly along with
eye opening, jaw slacking, popcorn dropping action.

The man behind the choreographic madness is none
other than Yuen Woo Ping.
This guy has been a huge influence on the Hong Kong
movie scene. Yuen was the man that started the Kung Fu
comedy boom. The film was called Snake in the Eagle's
Shadow. The star was none other than Hollywood's new
golden boy Jackie Chan. The Two went on to make
"Drunken Master", an unforgettable masterpiece.
If you liked the sequences in the Hollywood blockbuster
of '99, "The Matrix". That was Yuen.
Quentin Tarantino liked Fist of Legend so much he bought
the distribution rights for the film in the USA.