Fearless (2006)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Pretty Good

Best movie of this year hands down!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Jet Li has some excellent fight scenes from fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping. "Fearless" is based on the true life story of Huo Yuanjia, who took on all foreign fighters during a time of Chinese occupation and boosted national morale. It's a story that's ripe with possibilities, but it's sadly used as merely an excuse to stage one fight after another. Another disappointment is that director Ronny Yudoesn't bring a lot of style or energy to the fights nearly as well as Li's other frequent collaborators like Corey Yuen or Tsui Hark. Still, Jet LI is amazing and Yuen Woo Ping always delivers the goods, and that is more than enough to carry this film.

Fearless chronicles the true story of Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia who was one of the best fighters of his time and also the founder of the Jin Wu Sports Federation.Fearless throws us straight into the action and we are treated to an explosive beginning with several impressively choreographed fights. Through beautifully choreography, the Asians seemed to be able to make fighting look like art (when compared to the fight choreography that we witness in films from other continents). This film certainly has style, but it also has more than enough substance to go with it...In the early days of his life Yuanjia just wants to fight for 2 main reasons; 1) So that he is able to defend himself 2) In order to continue to defend his father's legacy. In later life, he sticks to these values and works his way to the top, however he seems to lose touch with his original values along the way. Once he's at the top, Yuanjia seems quite content with his new found popularity and is happy with his new found legendary status. However, being popular and being the toughest can evidently be a double edged sword and both aspect result in devastating consequences for Yuanjia.The second half of the film is much less action orientated than the first half mainly because the second half of the film spends the majority of the time developing Yuanjia's character. Following his time with some villagers, he returns with a new outlook on life and attempts to build some bridges. I think that this is one of the main reasons why this works so well; not only is it stylish, well-choreographed and generally beautiful to look at, but the characters are also well-developed through the narrative.Jet Li was excellent in this film (probably the best I've seen from him). Essentially more is asked of him in the second half, but overall he was solid whether he was in 'martial arts' mode or 'acting' mode.I can't praise this film enough and loved everything about it. The ending is particularly moving and it's a wonderful feeling knowing how influential the real life Yuanjia has been in the martial arts world. This simply has to be seen.

This is the best movie that Jet Li has done since Fist of Legend, the action and fight scenes are epically choreographed. These Chinese period pieces definitely make for the best of the Hong Kong produced movies.You can kind of view this as a prequel to Fist of Legend even though Chen Zhen the main star of Fist of Legend doesn't appear in this movie. The story is about Huo Yuanjin the man who was Chen's master in Fist and that character dying in the beginning of Fist sets up the story for that movie.I don't know how you can be a red blooded male and not be a huge fan of kick butt movies like this, honestly if you're a male and don't get entertained by this movie then I seriously question your manhood.

FEARLESS stars Jet Li in what is supposedly his final martial arts epic. The actor has mentioned that this is a summary of his thoughts and philosophy of wushu, an art he has so breathtakingly performed for decades, that has seen him not only become one of China's biggest movie stars, but also labeled possibly the greatest wushu practitioner in the contemporary era. Li plays legendary pugilist Huo Yuan Jia, who is depicted here as a talented but cocky fighter from a well to do family. His own arrogance soon results in tragedy, which leads him to undergo a metamorphosis that lets him understand the true meaning of martial arts, and ignites his desire to enlighten others in an oppressed China marred by invaders. Yuen Woo Ping shines again and puts Li's talents to wonderful use for one last time. Apart from the brilliant unarmed combat sequences, he also utilizes various weapons, the highlight certainly being the three section staff which Li maneuvers with such audacity and elegance. There is something about his performance that always makes him special; a personality of sorts. Amidst the mechanical choreography, he presents beautiful rhythm and fluidity, like investing emotions to a piano piece.Kudos to Ronny Yu for presenting a film that is able to identify martial arts not as a tool to protect one's pride, but a path for liberating people. While the film still utilizes the typical foreign antagonists as a foil for Huo to defend Chinese pride(again), Yu can be forgiven for portraying them as respectful martial artists who, rather than wanting Huo dead, were shared his knowledge and qualities derived from wushu, humility and compassion among them. All in all, FEARLESS is a wonderful film which not only showcases the artistic side to Jet's beloved craft, but also carries an important message about overcoming yourself and treasuring life, which is a rarity among kung fu movies.Thank you, Jet Li, for your countless, brilliant performances of this magnificent art. It's been one hell of a ride.