Vanishing Son

This was the series that introduced me to the martial arts of Russel Wong. I was pretty amazed that such sophisticated looking actor can do such good kung-fu action. He looks like a yuppie from Silicon Valley or a stock broker in Wall Street, but when he starts moving, oh, look out ! This series was unique in that an Asian actors were the main feature of the story. This doesn't happen often in Hollywood TV making. As such, the series maintained good mixture of scenes outside of Asian habitats, and wasn't confined only to say the Chinese community or China town as the back ground of story line. Russel Wong did carry his part well which I'm sure helped expand his career. If the plots were little more action oriented, like some of Chow Yun Fat's Hong Kong movies, this series would have been even better.

Since seeing this series, I started to look for Russel Wong's name on movies, and I'd say that I haven't been disappointed too often when he shows up to do his kung-fu action.

In China, the history teacher and violinist Jian-Wa Chang (Russell Wong) is a quiet man that lives with his father and his younger brother Wago Chang (Chi Muoi Lo), who is a college student and political activist with his girlfriend Lili (Vivian Wu). One day, Wago gets in trouble during a protest and Jian-Wa is forced to help him against the government army. They need to flee from China and they head to the United States. They are stowaways in a fishing vessel but they are arrested by the police and meet the Vietnamese gangster Fu Qua Johnson (Marcus S. Chong) in the cell. Jian-Wa and Wago get political asylum and are released from jail; however the job promised by Fu Qua is for gangster in his gang. Jian-Wa seeks for a honest job despite the difficulties, but Wago prefers to join the Vietnamese gang becoming a prominent gangster. Meanwhile Jian-Wa meets the musician Clair Armstrong (Rebecca Gayheart) and they fall in love with each other. But the blood ties of Jian-Wa with Wago are strong and he feels that his brother needs his support.

"Vanishing Son" is an unknown little gem with the saga of two Chinese brother separated by their mettles but connected by their blood ties in America. The story is engaging and full of action and romance, with great performances of Russell Wong, Chi Muoi Lo and the lovely Rebecca Gayheart. This film was surprisingly released only in video in Brazil in the 90's and even watching for the second time eighteen years later, it is still wonderful. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Dragões de Sangue" ("Blood Dragons")

Note: On 01 April 1999, my vote was nine.

All four Vanishing Sons are great.I love Jin Wa and Wago they were my heroes and they stir are.When i first watch Vanishing Son 3, i wan't to watch Vanishing Son 4 and i did't,later i won't to see the first two movies,later i watch the first Vanishing Son but i'did not see Vanishing Son 2,what can i say,probably the best movies of the 90's.When i'saw the first movie,i actually believe that Jian Wa is real and that he really lives somewhere in America and that he's have a adventures of his life.What can i'say,i love them both.I love Jian Wa and Wago when the fought with soldiers on China and when the were forced toe fled from China and then were captured by the police and were sand to jail,and than they must fought,with three other prisoners and later they were free and the movie shows how tough they live and fought for their survival.I love where Wago sad when gangsters run's this country then i' be a gangster.I t was the great words he ever said.I love Jian Wa who try to earned honestly his money and i love Wago when he goes back to live of violence and try to earn his money illegally,he wants to get power and respect.I love all four movies,they are the best.I love the stories,characters,and theme song.It is the best,but i'still can not believe that i'm the only fan of this movies,only four comments here and they ever not said how great this movies are and i still can not believe that the part 2 and 3 nobody comments,that's really sad.And when they were released on DVD all four when,it's hard to find this movie,i'wait one year to get the first movie.This is the best movies ever made.

I have been looking for this movie since I saw it round about 1995... I can't believe it I found it!!! :D

I can remember it so well, because I thought the story was really chilling, great fighting scenes and a very sexy love story (not corny at all) for the girls. *swoons* Russel Wong was amazing in this role, the story line was great... Alright when I saw it I was only 11 years old, so I might have higher expectations than I should have. It is unimaginable to me that I wouldn't like it. I fell in love with this movie when I first watched it, the music, the scenery and it's style. Not one boring minute.

Find it and buy it!!! NOW!

There have been many TV shows based on martial arts action. Most, if not all, do not last. As a kung fu enthusiast I loved Vanishing Son 1,2 & 3. Good story with some killer kung fu with no CG or obvious camera tricks. Too bad it is inrcedibly hard to find. I have it on tape, thank the Lord for that! It was a nice platform for the Noxema Girl,Rebecca Gayhart, to make a nice leap into acting.

Russel Wong has been around for a while and took another stab at martial arts TV with the short lived "Black Sash." Needless to say it was terrible. Also, Marcus Chong AKA Tank from the first Matrix was a big part of Vanishing son also...