Blade of Fury

Traditional Hong Kong styled Kung fu movie with intense solid actions, the actors are well trained and beautifully choreographed with actual martial arts styles, especially the antagonist role by Changjun Zhao who is an actual champion of nationwide martial arts competitions. The story is decent and loosely based on historic events, however the ending and acting is somewhat flimsy, which would have been better if the comedic areas were cut as they are just superfluous, lousy and somewhat damages the integrity of the story.

Yes, here there be spoilers!

The heroes of Blade of Fury are on a mission from the Emperor to force a conservative local king to embrace the Imperial reforms. He won't. Through various intrigues, incl. Martial arts contests, betrayals, and be-headings by best friends (!), our heroes end up... losing! Ahhh!

But, while the ending is less than satisfying, the movie as a whole features amazing action scenes with more martial arts choreography than in several hundred Western action movies put together. The characters are interesting (if not terribly well-developed) and the story is complex (as well as messy), and there are plenty of funny moments.

Cynthia Khan is cocky and headstrong, and interesting to see in a period piece (since she's mostly starred in movies taking place in modern-day settings). Ngai Sing - Seraph from Matrix Reloaded - is an appealing actor, but he doesn't have that much to do in this movie. Sammo Hung's part is very brief (blink to miss him!), and his kung fu moves are obviously inhumanly fast.

It really is too bad about the ending - the main characters were too likable to deserve such a fate. But all in all it is a very entertaining experience that I can only recommend, though you'd probably to have to be a fan of kung fu movies in order to appreciate it.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

A true martial arts movie that digs deep into the emotions of the viewer. Movies like these are rarely made so fantastic. Samo Hung directed this masterpiece and to me it's his greatest achievement to date. The martial arts is incredible eventhough there's a great use of wire work. The story is true and deep and reveals the justice of betrayal, loyalty, deceit and sacrifice. A martial arts movie of the highest calibre. By the way all the cast are excellent. A movie worth seeing.

Damn Damn Damn, sEE This movie. I first saw this movie one sat afternoon. I was bored as hell and there was nothing on TV. I was watching Cinemax because a new movie was about to come on and it's parental rating was MA. Now all of you know MA (mature audiences) movies only come on late at night on Cinemax (skinamax for those of you up late at night). Anyway this movie is the shiznit!!! The fight sequences are non stop unbelievable but most importantly HIGHLY entertaining. Many scenes with all kinds of limbs and other various body parts getting chopped off add to the entertainment of this film. Lot's of invisible wire effects in this movie, definately a must see if you are a fan of the genre.

Probably some of the best martial arts choreography in a film but some of the most hacky acting. Stay for the fights.