Released in 2006, Fearless stars Jet Li and is loosely based on the life of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia. The film takes place around the turn of the century, ending with Yuanjia's death in 1910. The plot isn't anything you haven't seen before but, it's done really well. As a child Huo Yuanjia wants to grow up and become a great martial artist and eventually he does, beating anyone who challenges him. The choreography and cinematography during these fight sequences and throughout the film is top-notch.
The problem Huo runs into is his ego and arrogance. He runs up debts, treats his oldest friend poorly, and eventually picks a fight with and kills a rival martial arts master. As revenge, Huo Yuanjia's mother and daughter are murdered, and he immediately stops fighting and leaves his home in Tianjin. He wanders around for months and nearly drowns before being rescued and nursed back to health by a grandmother and granddaughter in a small village.
While living in the village for several years, Huo learns compassion, patience, and the error of his ways. He eventually returns Tianjin a changed man, and tries to reconcile with those he had previously wronged. He finds that Westerners have taken advantage of a weakened China and Huo decides to return to fighting, but now it's in an effort to restore national pride. He even he founds the 'Chin Woo Athletic Association' in Shanghai with the help of his old friend Jinsun. In the end, Huo dies of poisoning during a fight that was setup in order to undermine his recent efforts, but instead his decision to fight up until the moment of his death is inspiring.
It's a really good movie, and if you're going to watch it and you have the time then I recommend checking out the 'directors cut' of the film; it's about 35mins longer than the theatrical version but, I think it's worth it.
I give this one a 4 out of 5.
Have a suggestion for a review?
Leave it in the comments below.
No comments:
Post a Comment