Zhang: O Bárbaro

OK people, ever ride on a fast roller coaster and the g-forces pin you back to the seat?? Then, you know how watching this film: it's a non-stop, fast paced adventure!!

Interestingly enough, Jet Li's character doesn't know kung fu, which is a big disadvantage for him. It's really cool (and strange) how he learns martial arts. Soon, Jet's shooting fireballs like Ryu and battling all the different clans. There are a lot of people and fight scenes sometimes have fifty or more people at once on screen! This movie also gets high marks for the beautiful ladies who do try to seduce Jet Li (love that awkward look!!). Man Cheung is visually appealing as the "cunning" Chao Min. Chingmy Yau plays Jet's love interest (lucky guy!!) and she can kick some butt!

Whether it's Wu Tang, Shaolin, Green Bat, or the Jinxes, this was one kung fu fantasy that has to be seen to be believed. On a side note, I was saddened that no sequel was made since things get very interesting towards the end.

Ok, I understand the large amounts of confusion surrounding this movie. Yes, the plot as is (especially the cut versions) is completely incomprehensible. However, this is another one of those movies that is adapted from a series (book and tv) called Dragon Sword and Heaven Sabre. Thus, 60 or so hours of tv show are crammed into 90 minutes doing no justice to the plot. That being said, if you are familiar with the plot (from the book or tv shows) you'll have a fun time watching all the over the top action and filling in the plot holes by yourself. One of the viewers before did a pretty good job giving a general outline of the story line. I do have to quarrel with the ending. On my version, it ends with Mo Kei having to go after the princess. They could have added another 20 minutes and wrapped it all up instead of leaving an incomplete film. Oh well, I'm not expecting a sequel.

This is definitely my favorite Jet Li film. This movie has it all: truly original characters for the genre (the guy in the boulder and the vampire bat kung fu master are the two which come to mind most prominently), unusual Kung Fu styles and abilities, decent stylized production value, kick ass wire stunts, and even more guignol than "Duel to the Death" . The version I saw was called "Lord of Wu Tang" from a company whose releases are renamed with "Wu Tang" attempting to cash in with the urban hip hop video market. The plot in this film isn't that confusing,( I like grey area when it comes to heroes and villans) it's simply a souped up version of the swordsman genre flick. Don't let any of the preceding negative reviews sway a decision to search this one out. If you're a Hong Kongophile you'll LOVE IT!!

This movie feels like the second part of a trilogy. After the first ten minutes of confusion, the viewer is quickly pulled into the plot. It starts recapping an epic story with SO many characters your head starts spinning. As the story progresses the characters become relevant.

It's a fun movie with cheesy special effects that make the film endearing rather than ostracizing. For those looking for your standard Kung Fu movie it may be a disappointment as it is more of an epic/adventure; giving the feeling of an RPG. There is so much story that is packed into this film that you wonder how they are going to wrap it up. Well they don't. It is complete in the fact that the immediate story is finished, but their are many loose ends. This leaves you wanting more. Unfortunately there is no more. What is there though are great characters, wonderful interaction, and Jet Li in some over the top action sequences.

I believe this movie is based on an old chineese story. it has been made as a tv series too. the first time you watch it you dont understand a thing. Who is he? is a question you will ask a lot. I have seen it many times, and the more you see it the more you like it, as you come to understand the plot eventually. there are great fight scenes in it and Sammo Hung has truly done a great job as an action choreographer. I particularly like the scene where sammo teaches tai chi to Jet li. there are good babes in this movie too. and they are good at kung fu. you should watch this and enjoy it.