Donnie Yen has done a admirable job choreographing and starring in this series.It has many great fights with some of them being the best I've ever seen.The Kung-Fu is dense and fast, the actors-martial artists are top notch. The soap-opera is not as good as the martial arts, but who cares? Chen-Zhen's master is played by an incredible martial artist whose name unfortunately I'do not remember.There is an awesome fight when the master meets with the other Chinese masters to discuss the future of martial arts, where he fights with all of them. Don't miss it! If you really like fast and furious Kung-Fu fights like me, this is for you!
6 Reviews
Great action for a TV series
potidaean27 August 2005
Though clearly shot for TV, the packaged 2CD set I rented was still fantastic for all the action. Generally, such detailed fight choreography is rare for the small screen. They squeeze down 10+ hours to a mere 3.5 in the CD version, so the plot doesn't make too much sense. But it just means that the fighting comes more often. And with Donnie Yen at the action helm, you know it's quality.
If you are looking for good acting, logical events, maybe even a good romance story, then give this a pass. This is driven mainly by one-dimensional ideals of loyalty, family, revenge, and testosterone. But if you're a huge kung-fu fan and love typical HK TV plot lines, then this is definitely worth a watch!
If you are looking for good acting, logical events, maybe even a good romance story, then give this a pass. This is driven mainly by one-dimensional ideals of loyalty, family, revenge, and testosterone. But if you're a huge kung-fu fan and love typical HK TV plot lines, then this is definitely worth a watch!
Not One Of Donnie Yen's Best.
Blackace7 August 2004
I watched this movie at my cousins house a couple years ago. He has a projection screen, so it actually looks like you're watching it at the movies. As one reviewer noted, Donnie Yen is trying to act like Bruce Lee in this movie, instead of the actual character. He tries to duplicate Bruce Lee style of fighting, but it doesn't come off very well. Donnie did the choreograph in this film and it's pretty bad. The fight scenes weren't very exciting and the camera was way to close at times. I'm a little shocked, since Donnie is usually excellent at choreographing fights. There were a lot of boring drawn out scenes that would put you to sleep.
The story doesn't even follow the original Fist of Fury. In some areas it does, but then it drifts away from it. I know this is suppose to be a sequel, but the script isn't written that way. I really didn't like much about this film at all. It was below average for me. I picked up Fist of the Red Dragon (1993), one of Donnie Yen's earlier films and it blows this movie away. The fights were decent and the story pretty interesting. It's out on DVD now, so I suggest people check that movie out instead. I gave Fist of Fury: The Sequel 5 out of 10. Rent it if you must, but be warned that it's not very good. If you want to see some better movies with Donnie Yen in it, get Once Upon a Time in China 2, Iron Monkey, Hero or Wing Chun.
The story doesn't even follow the original Fist of Fury. In some areas it does, but then it drifts away from it. I know this is suppose to be a sequel, but the script isn't written that way. I really didn't like much about this film at all. It was below average for me. I picked up Fist of the Red Dragon (1993), one of Donnie Yen's earlier films and it blows this movie away. The fights were decent and the story pretty interesting. It's out on DVD now, so I suggest people check that movie out instead. I gave Fist of Fury: The Sequel 5 out of 10. Rent it if you must, but be warned that it's not very good. If you want to see some better movies with Donnie Yen in it, get Once Upon a Time in China 2, Iron Monkey, Hero or Wing Chun.
Donnie Yen is Great-Show is Not
tkdlifemagazine20 May 2023
Based upon the same premise as the Bruce Lee classic, this Chinese television show from the 1990's is very ambitious. Donnie Yen is actually terrific in the role made famous by Bruce Lee. There is a lot of action and fighting in this 10 hour version of the film that was less than two hours. The problem is that is is low budget and very inconsistent. Much of the fighting and action scenes, especially those without Yen are very shaky and poorly filmed. Many are also very silly. The Direction and cinematography are not great. There is a great through line of Chinese oppression in their own land from Japanese and Western colonization. It is great to see the progression of Yen's career. Worth watching with limited expectations.
Surprisingly good. . . if you're a Bruce Lee fan.
Huang_Gai15 February 2003
Warning: Spoilers
As most should know, this is a remake of an old Bruce Lee movie, Fists of Fury, also known as Chinese Connection. I personally have mixed feelings about it.
Seeing only two Bruce Lee films (Fists of Fury "The Big Boss" and the second half of Enter the Dragon), and being unimpressed by both (I'm spoiled by the likes of Jet Li and Donnie Yen :-P), I'd have to say this movie is pretty good.
Donnie Yen does his best to recreate the EMOTION, not physical appearance, of Bruce Lee. So while he's not a dead ringer in appearance, his displays of rage are rather convincing. Also, considering the quality of his materials (this was a tv series, not intially a movie) he managed to pull off a rather good production.
The story is that Chen Jun's (Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen) master, Fok (his surname, his full name escapes me at the moment) is trying to gather all the martial artists and create a universal style based on the strengths of each martial art. He does this to give China some fighting power against the foreign invaders of Imperialism: Japan, Russia, Italy, Britain, France, and others. Japan, being the key antagonist of the movie, has an official poison Fok. Hellbent on revenge, Chen goes on a campaign of kick ass to drive out the Japanese.
For the most part, because of the legendary limited budget of TV shows, Donnie had about 4 or 5 actual martial artists: himself, Eddy Ko, a guy playing a japanese Karate master (limited experience), and maybe a few others. The rest were all either unexperienced in both acting or martial arts. Considering this, he pulled off the fight scenes masterfully (Donnie was the fight choreographer) by mainly using editing and quick shots to make use of stunt doubles and extras. Therefore most of the fight scenes look very awkward and close-up, but it's bearable.
The storyline in itself is basic, but effective. It really doesn't show many huge plot holes and presents itself well.
The main part of the movie that most will like is the last 30 minutes, Donnie does nothing but kick the crap out of Japanese martial arts students, martial arts masters, and even a Russian wrestler (taken from the original movie). Three of the fight scenes (two with nunchakues (I know I spelled it wrong) and one with escrima sticks) had absolutely no choreography and look amazing, even by today's high standards.
Personally, I had mixed feelings about the movie. Parts of it will make you groan while other parts you will geniuinely enjoy. Only get this movie if you have about $15 to blow.
(There are two major props that inspire silliness and laughter though, one scene Donnie uses a net that looks about 80 years ahead of its time (bright green nets in 1911?) and a Japanese flag that's 40 years ahead of its time)
Overall, I'd give the movie somewhere along the lines between a 4 and a 6. To some, it will be slightly above average, to others, it will be slightly below average. Anyone who rates it higher or lower either has a high tolerance for cheesiness or is a martial arts elitist and are asking more than me.
Seeing only two Bruce Lee films (Fists of Fury "The Big Boss" and the second half of Enter the Dragon), and being unimpressed by both (I'm spoiled by the likes of Jet Li and Donnie Yen :-P), I'd have to say this movie is pretty good.
Donnie Yen does his best to recreate the EMOTION, not physical appearance, of Bruce Lee. So while he's not a dead ringer in appearance, his displays of rage are rather convincing. Also, considering the quality of his materials (this was a tv series, not intially a movie) he managed to pull off a rather good production.
The story is that Chen Jun's (Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen) master, Fok (his surname, his full name escapes me at the moment) is trying to gather all the martial artists and create a universal style based on the strengths of each martial art. He does this to give China some fighting power against the foreign invaders of Imperialism: Japan, Russia, Italy, Britain, France, and others. Japan, being the key antagonist of the movie, has an official poison Fok. Hellbent on revenge, Chen goes on a campaign of kick ass to drive out the Japanese.
For the most part, because of the legendary limited budget of TV shows, Donnie had about 4 or 5 actual martial artists: himself, Eddy Ko, a guy playing a japanese Karate master (limited experience), and maybe a few others. The rest were all either unexperienced in both acting or martial arts. Considering this, he pulled off the fight scenes masterfully (Donnie was the fight choreographer) by mainly using editing and quick shots to make use of stunt doubles and extras. Therefore most of the fight scenes look very awkward and close-up, but it's bearable.
The storyline in itself is basic, but effective. It really doesn't show many huge plot holes and presents itself well.
The main part of the movie that most will like is the last 30 minutes, Donnie does nothing but kick the crap out of Japanese martial arts students, martial arts masters, and even a Russian wrestler (taken from the original movie). Three of the fight scenes (two with nunchakues (I know I spelled it wrong) and one with escrima sticks) had absolutely no choreography and look amazing, even by today's high standards.
Personally, I had mixed feelings about the movie. Parts of it will make you groan while other parts you will geniuinely enjoy. Only get this movie if you have about $15 to blow.
(There are two major props that inspire silliness and laughter though, one scene Donnie uses a net that looks about 80 years ahead of its time (bright green nets in 1911?) and a Japanese flag that's 40 years ahead of its time)
Overall, I'd give the movie somewhere along the lines between a 4 and a 6. To some, it will be slightly above average, to others, it will be slightly below average. Anyone who rates it higher or lower either has a high tolerance for cheesiness or is a martial arts elitist and are asking more than me.
Kung Fu soap opera
lonewolf10515 May 2002
As a fan on Donnie Yen and Bruce Lee , I had high hopes for this movie. Instead I got a Chinese kung fu soap opera which only slightly followed the Bruce Lee classic. Yen seems to be playing Bruce Lee playing Chen Jen , not Donnie Yen playing Chen Jen. He even does the howling that Lee was famous for. I would have rather have seen Yen play the role in a new way and use his own style martial arts instead of striking the same poses as Lee did.
At first I had a problem with the way the film looked (seemed like TV). Then I found out it was a TV series,OK that's fine. Second, the fight scenes were poorly filmed (most of the movie was poorly filmed). Next the fights sucked. I have seen many martial arts films and have studied martial arts for many years and know good fight scenes. I was shocked to see Yen choreographed the fights. After seeing Iron Monkey, BladeII, and Highlander:Endgame which Yen choreographed as well and were awsome. What the hell happened Donnie?
Can anybody tell me way the love interest Yumi(Japaese) dresses in Chinese clothes the first half of the movie and Japanese the second half? I mean first she loves Yen then his rivel then Yen again.This is what I mean by "soap opera". According to IMDB Yen also directed and edited this film too. Donnie,why?
I thought a remake of a Bruce Lee movie was a cool idea. Maybe I way mistaken. Even with all this I think Donnie Yen has a future as an action movie star. He has a better look than Jet Li and I look forward to his next movie.
At first I had a problem with the way the film looked (seemed like TV). Then I found out it was a TV series,OK that's fine. Second, the fight scenes were poorly filmed (most of the movie was poorly filmed). Next the fights sucked. I have seen many martial arts films and have studied martial arts for many years and know good fight scenes. I was shocked to see Yen choreographed the fights. After seeing Iron Monkey, BladeII, and Highlander:Endgame which Yen choreographed as well and were awsome. What the hell happened Donnie?
Can anybody tell me way the love interest Yumi(Japaese) dresses in Chinese clothes the first half of the movie and Japanese the second half? I mean first she loves Yen then his rivel then Yen again.This is what I mean by "soap opera". According to IMDB Yen also directed and edited this film too. Donnie,why?
I thought a remake of a Bruce Lee movie was a cool idea. Maybe I way mistaken. Even with all this I think Donnie Yen has a future as an action movie star. He has a better look than Jet Li and I look forward to his next movie.
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