Evil Cult

This is currently one of my favorite Jet Li movies. Most, if not all, of the fight scenes are enhanced, but it is such a fast moving, whacky movie, I really enjoy it.You'll need to watch it more than once because it has a lot of characters and the plot is somewhat confusing, not too mention you need to be a speed-reader to catch all the subtitles. I recommend this movie because it is loads of fun.

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.

Jet Li is great to watch in wuxia/Kung-Fu films but this is directed in the style of Hong Kong films made 20 years earlier. That's why it seems a bit odd at first; until you see what is going on. Back in the 1970's much of the Kung-Fu films made had no real story line to them and many were just absolutely crazy to ridiculous in their ideas presentation. The thing was, it did not matter much back then because it was the Martial Arts fighting/styles the audiences wanted to see. Its what I loved, as both a practicing Martial Artist (Karate was my first study) and a Hong Kong Kung-Fu film fan; I loved going to the weekend all-nighters at my local cinema and watching 5 films in a row.

Its the usual wrongly done to character, Jet Li in this case, having to find the means and the skills to overcome the bad guys; which of course is what happens. Its not a very strong script or story-line but it makes up for it in outrageous fantasy and Kung-Fu moves. It took until 2022 for the sequel to be made/released but unfortunately we don't get any of the original cast, including Jet Li who is suffering a sickness that has taken a big toll on his health status.

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!!