Fist Power

(2000) Fist Power (In Chinese with English subtitles) ACTION

Starring Wenzhuo Zhao as professional martial art cop getting himself mixed up a father Charles Chau (played by Hong Kong film veteran Anthony Wong) trying to get back his kid after he was abandoned by his mother who's mixed up with some gangsters. Of course, this stupid plot only serves only as a backdrop to showcase the fighting sequences and they're plenty of it, it's some of the worst I had ever seen since they're just boring without convincing fighting choreography or charismatic camera angles. Some of the Hong Kong action movie influences are very evident upon watching this-"Pedicab Driver" is one of them. I couldn't stop falling asleep whenever I had this on and I can adapt to stupid thin plots as long as the action holds up on it's own, this was just terrible particularly the beginning where the martial arts star walks to the corridor and he's beating several cops with batons which anyone can tell wires were used with really bad pretending-to-be-hit acting.

Chiu Man Cheuk is sent out to rescue Anthony Wong's son from an illegitimate father before Wong himself,who is holding a school hostage,kills a bunch of people.Plenty of humour and crazy fight scenes,but the movie is relatively non-violent.This is not a perfect film,but it still manages to be entertaining.It's simply one long chase sequence with fighting interspersed.The bad guys manage to show up at every turn without any explanation.However I enjoyed it and you should too,if you're a fan of Hong Kong cinema!

This is the fourth film I have seen starring Chiu Man-Cheuk (The Blade, The Blacksheep Affair, Body Weapon and Fist Power) and, of those, only The Blade left me impressed. Chiu Cheuk is a leading man with great screen presence and obvious Wu Shu talent, but he seems to pick bad projects in which to showcase his abilities.

In Fist Power, he plays Brian, a security officer who is visiting Hong Kong and becomes embroiled in the plight of Chau (Anthony Wong). Chau is an ex-soldier whose stepson is being repossessed by his ex-wife and her evil husband Chiu (Lung Fong), who doesn't care about the kid. They only need the boy in order to secure an inheritance. In a last desperate effort to be reunited with his stepson, Chau holds a school hostage until his demands are met. It is up to Brian to deliver the boy to the school before time runs out, and Chiu will do anything to try and stop him.

Basically, this plot is an excuse for one long chase interspersed with loads of fighting. This wouldn't be too bad, if it wasn't for the terrible direction and editing. Fights are shot too close-up and edited with too many quick cuts, resulting in confusion.

And don't even get me started on the scene with the lighter....

With a bigger budget and tighter direction, this could've been a lot better. According to IMDb, Chiu Man-Cheuk hasn't made anything since Fist Power – I hope someone gives him a chance soon to star in a film worthy of his skills.

Fist Power is a fairly fast paced and action packed film vehicle for martial artist actor Vincent Zhao. However watchable, the movie is with not without flaws. The direction and editing is not the greatest and really sells the fighting talents of our hero short. The support cast(mostly utilized for comic relief) Sam Lee and good looks and love interest for Vincent Zhao, the very pretty Gigi Lai also appears. The legendary Cheng Pei Pei from Come Drink With Me and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon also makes a memorable, but brief appearance as Vincent Zhao's mom. The plot is driven and grounded by sympathetic antagonist Anthony Wong who is an ex British Marine that is trying to get back his son from the boy's biological father by holding up an elementary school. Anthony Wong's performance is about the only thing about this film that is excellent. But Fist Power is pretty decent for sure. While not a classic by any means, this should entertain most action fans for an hour and a half. I have not seen too many films with Vincent Zhao, but he is utilized much better in Yuen Woo Ping's True Legend. However, compared to a lot of stuff out there Fist Power is not bad at all.

This movie's fun...Chiu Man Cheuk plays a security expert from China who came down to Hong Kong for a visit. In the course of his journey, he met up with Anthony Wong who plays a frustrated ex-army man. Chiu Man Cheuk gets to show off his amazing agility in the opening sequence and later on board the ferry...and towards the end. Chiu's nephew happened to attend the same school as Anthony's son...whom his ex-wife, now married to another man, wanted the take away to the US. The angry ex-army man, together with some colleagues took over the school and demanded the returne of his son. Our hero, Chiu got into the picture as he wanted to save his nephew. He promised to bring Anthony's son back to him...within the day. Along the way, he met a feisty reporter (whom his auntie was going to matchmake him to) and a nutty driver (Anthony's brother-in-law...played by Sam Lee).

The plot is easy to follow and Chiu gets to display his humourous side...apart from his considerable wushu talent! It's worth a watch so get it!