CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

*goes into Hype-a-Jet-Li-Martial-Arts-Movie mode.*

Alright, this movie will arrive in theaters this week. So, I need to let the word out.

Jet Li's best and most revered movies were filmed in the context between the Qing dynasty to the period of Western colonization. (One can tell with the male hairstyle called the Manchu queue, a combination of a shaved head and pontail.) For some reason, Jet Li's performances in this context produced some of his best work like the Once Upon a Time in China series, and Fong Sai Yuk.

Well, after getting over his gangsta-rap modern-day fighting movie phase *cringes at the thought*, Jet Li has came to his senses and has put on his Manchu queue for one last time. Teamed with fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Once Upon a Time in China 2, Fist of Legend) and producer Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero), Jet Li seems to be in his vintage form, which was what made me a big fan of his work in the first place.

This also seems to be his last martial-arts focused film. So this might be the last time anyone really gets to see him in his best form. I am really looking forward to watching this film.

Here is a Quicktime trailer.

And the movie website.

Oh, it is rated PG-13.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the fighting choreography more resembles Once Upon a Time in China. It is not the "floating" style of CTHD or Hero.

I'm glad it's not like the "floating" type. I tend to dislike them.

Anyway I'll be sure to look into this. Unfortunately this is his last Wushu movie he will be in.

I love Jet Li's films. This will be a must-see this year. I normally don't go to cinemas, but perhaps that will be possible for Fearless.

i really want to see this movie. i saw the previews and it looked pretty crazy. i read a review off pluggedinonline.com and it said that it featured no nudity or sexual content. only violence. and the violence isn't that extreme either. that's pretty good for a PG-13 jet li movie.

(Yes, I am back...) I want to see this movie so bad! It's looks wicked awesome!

Well, I saw it on opening weekend.... (It is unfortunate it could not beat that stupid MTV movie garbage....)

Either way, like I anticipated, it is Jet Li back in his best element. The historical setting always suits him. And this is obviously a well-financed production, and it really makes a difference. I particularly like the photography and the camera placement in many fights. Very fast-paced fights with interesting choreography. The plot is rather simple, but very effective, and the moral message comes across rather easily. In fact, it is kind of a nice change to see Jet Li play a spiritually tormented martial artist rather than the usual "perfect" hero.

My only complaint is that it is rather short for a Jet Li wushu film. Not even 2 hours. I cannot help but think that is a sign that Jet Li does not have the same stamina to do these films. He has been doing these films for a long time, and I guess it takes its toll.

Oh yeah, my favorite dialogue exchange, on the fight on the elevated platform.

Jet Li (mockingly): "Cat's Paw?"
Opponent (enraged): "TIGER'S CLAW!"

I went to see Fearless today. It was very good indeed, once a person gets over the middle hill. The way they catch you to want to watch more and more was very clever. The basics for this story are very classic. (don't want to give away the plot, though)

From a girl's P.O.V., it was an emotional roller coaster, but the action and morals made it all worthwhile.

Hurray for bumpage!

I saw this movie last night and absolutely adored it. I haven't seen a WHOLE lot of martial arts movies before, but I knew that I liked them and this was no exception. Sure, the plot was VERY clichéd, but for some reason I really enjoyed it. I couldn't help but pick up on some Hamlet-esque themes (though I doubt they are intentional, but maybe?) and wondered if in his last speech Jet Li was giving a farewell to his fans as well as staying in character.

The nationalistic element was a little hard to swallow at first. Maybe it's just because as an American it feels like everyone hates us right now, and then we get reminded what a buffoon we were in other countries and it's just not a pleasent image.

I did very much like Tanaka's character though. And I loved that they made him switch between Japanese and Chinese (it made me proud that I could understand him without the subtitles!). Overall I just really enjoyed this movie and was quite pleased with it.

I find it interesting that some women found this movie appealing. In my experience, usually, this type of wushu film turns women off.

But then, that is what make these ladies so cool.

oro! wrote:From a girl's P.O.V., it was an emotional roller coaster, but the action and morals made it all worthwhile.

I am trying to understand why do you feel the movie was an emotional roller coaster. Could you please elaborate?

Ashley wrote:I saw this movie last night and absolutely adored it. I haven't seen a WHOLE lot of martial arts movies before, but I knew that I liked them and this was no exception. Sure, the plot was VERY clichéd, but for some reason I really enjoyed it. I couldn't help but pick up on some Hamlet-esque themes (though I doubt they are intentional, but maybe?)

Well, the plot may be simple, even predictable, but it illustrated a lesson that many people can sympathize: the consequences of ambition and pride, the search for peace and redemption. These themes are universal in appeal. They just have to be executed well and creatively to be enjoyed.

Ashley wrote:wondered if in his last speech Jet Li was giving a farewell to his fans as well as staying in character.

Maybe. He is going to do a movie co-starring with Jackie Chan later, but it will not be a martial arts film. *shrugs.*

Ashley wrote:The nationalistic element was a little hard to swallow at first. Maybe it's just because as an American it feels like everyone hates us right now, and then we get reminded what a buffoon we were in other countries and it's just not a pleasent image.

Yeah... that is kind of hard to explain especially to people raised in a Western culture. Let us just say there is an issue of "face" underlying the whole film, which is crucial to understanding the Far East cultures.

Ashley wrote:Overall I just really enjoyed this movie and was quite pleased with it.

Glad I am not the only one.

I was also very pleased with this movie. It was one of the best, if not the best of the recent kung-fu epics that have been released in the last few years.