Dark Warrior (2007)

I'll tell you why so serious

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Jason Yee stars in this miserable dreck. He also wrote, directed, and produced it, so all the blame falls squarely on his shoulders. Honestly, I couldn't sit through it from beginning to end. I found it so boring I fell asleep about 4 times during the film and missed about half of it (mercifully). Obviously Jason Yee is a talented martial artist and he wanted to showcase his talents in a film. Unfortunately he has no talent as a filmmaker, and he should have stayed in the ring and out of the studio. He has some good moves, but the choreography for the fight scenes is awful. Timing and position are waaaaay off. Sound quality is horrendous and every time there is dialogue it is drowned out by an unwarranted and overloud score. The acting is wooden, stiff, and heartless. The plot is ill-defined and ambiguous. One has no sense of where this story is heading, where it originates, or why it is even being told. Watching this movie is a complete waste of time, unless you happen to be suffering from insomnia.

I rented this movie because I was curious who is this, Jason Yee guy on the DVD cover. I wasn't impressed with the movie making until I saw how it was made in the DVD bonus features. An action movie made for $80 Grand!!! That's like the cost for one day of catering on a Hollywood movie. Not bad for first-time film maker, my hats off. Jason Yee did an incredible job considering he produced, wrote, directed & starred!! Who the hell does that?! Maybe Clint Eastwood but, he's a seasoned veteran with millions of dollars. I would love to see Jason Yee in a big budget action movie with a famous director. I hope Hollwood producers are paying attention because he is the next action star, just look at him!

Watching Dark Assassin I was enthralled therefore, desiring more information I've watched the DVD extras, "Bonus Features/Making of" and read all that I could find on-line, related to the movie and Jason Yee. Dark Assassin is a very cool, low-budget indie action film. The $80,000 it's a minuscule sum for making a film, especially being shot on film. Comparatively, Hollywood spends millions to make a movie. The story is reality sad but compelling, peppered with surprising humor at times, intelligent twists, the driving element of love and a surprising ending that lets you wanting more. It features the sweet and wise Tony Todd (gotta love him), as the friendly, guiding ghost to Derek Wu in his nightmares. As a bonus, Dark Assassin uses topnotch, real martial arts fighters and champions such as Cung Le, Rudi Ott, Marvin Perry, and Yao Li with real combat skills devoid of wires and silly acrobatics. Camera skills and the post-production tie up the elements to deliver a product that could be a signal for new times in American martial arts movie making and style. Jason Yee who wrote, acted, directed and produced Dark Assassin, pays homage with this film to the 70's and to Bruce Lee, The Master and leading champion, who believed that anybody can be kung fu fighting. We miss you Master! Unlike a Hollywood movie, Dark Assassin is a labor of love for Jason Yee and those who believed in him. It is worth seeing and appreciated for what it has to offer in the present and for the future, while taking in consideration its meager means. By supporting Dark Assassin we might finally see some variation in the world of martial arts movie making, which are a bit stale and repetitive right now. Hurrah!

I just watched a screener of this film after a friend who worked on post-production insisted I watch it. I usually don't care for action films but, I heard this was made on a shoe-string budget so, I'm always interested to see what filmmakers can pull off.I must say, I was pleasantly surprised that there was a story!! A redemption story at that! I was told this was a kung-fu action film but, it seem to be more of a crime/ thriller, with some kung-fu action. Although, it's obviously a low-budget film and has some weak actors, this film holds together and has heart. I actually cared about the main character, and was sad at the end, which is more than I can say for most big-budget action films!! Kudos to Jason Yee, hope he keeps going because he is a star!! Where is he, what's he doing next? Viva, Your Independent Spirit, Jason!! I was looking on IMDb for more info on this film and I was compelled to write this after reading heartless comments left by immature users.