Hak kuen

This movie is beautifully shot with some of the greatest fight scenes of any film in recent years. Anytime there is a fight, even the brief ones, the film shines. However, the rest of the film is awful despite the excellent photography. This movie is plagued by bad acting and bad story. This movie is extremely stupid. Every non-action scene is terrible.

That being said it is still worth watching for the fight scenes. The fights go at a fast pace and are pretty believable. They are somewhat similar to Flashpoint and SPL.

This is an absurdly silly movie that expects the audience to be morons but the fights are well-done.

This is a martial arts movie with a story that for the most part isn't compelling. Only the ending is a bit crude and brutal and come to think of it completely ridiculous. I think the director wanted to add some drama to make this movie more interesting. What the director seems to have forgotten that he doesn't need the drama, because he has Jacky Wu / Wu Jing (known from Tai Chi Boxer). When he does his thing, you are in for a treat. The man has some skill and he shows it whenever he can. The martial arts in this movie is great and that alone is the reason to watch this movie. The pace however is a bit slow. This due to the story. If they really wanted to make a interesting story they should have used "The Captain" more, since he was a great character. Instead we are confronted with some abstract fatalistic love story that does not make any sense. Who is to blame for that? Dennis Law , ladies and gentlemen. If you want more proof of his incompetence then go watch Fatal Move which was meant as a sequel to S.P.L. with Donnie Yen. Director Dennis Law is an example of a film maker who really shouldn't be in the business since he lacks vision and creativity. He basically copies and pastes stories and themes and combines them without adding something fresh or original and then thinks he is finished. Most of the time he is lucky that he is surrounded by competent people who more than once improve the film considerably. But it does beg the question why talented people like Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Wu Jing would be involved with his productions at all.

In any case try to ignore the story and focus on the action. It's hard hitting and exhilarating.

Wu Jing is Kong Ko, a Chinese kung fu champion in Hong Kong briefly for a theatrical performance. He is approached by some influential figures in the underground fighting league who recognise his potential but turns them down as he has honourable intentions and wants to be "the next Jet Li" without resorting to illegal or underhand means. However, the intoxicating Siu Tin (Miki Yeung) convinces him to take part, and a delicately nuanced and tense action thriller/romance ensues. Kong is an honourable and respectful fighter, and is taught to be more brutal and ruthless by the brilliant and thrifty Captain (Ronald Cheng) as his tactics can only get him so far. To the end however he remains true to his principles, no matter how far he strays from his path. An action packed, moving and in places, beautiful and well characterised Hong Kong thriller. Definitely worth a watch.

I can understand why some people didn't like this, but on the whole I think this was a far superior offering than a lot of kung fu (or however you feel better classifies this type of film) offerings I have recently watched.

(I have been a long time fan of Hong Kong martial arts films, and I am trying to put this review in the context of both 70s/80/s classics as well as more modern takes on the genre. Also I have a wide ranging preference in kung fu films - from the serious, the comedic, through to plush high end productions.)

This film does start slowly, and perhaps is more in keeping with Asian dramas for the 1st quarter of the film. And I can understand why that would not be rewarding for some viewers. But if you hold out a little, as time goes on is increasingly riveting.

The plot, which tends to be incredibly thin in many martial arts films, is relatively rich. While, there are some guessable twists long the way, equally there are some surprising ones.

Perhaps more importantly, the action is very well choreographed and it's lead a very strong fighter. I was really impressed by Jacky Wu's technique - I wouldn't have wanted to be on any of his punches or kicks, and it wasn't all fantasy fight (e.g. loads of wires) either.

It is the momentary lapses in sentimentality that, for me, mark this down from 9 to about 7 1/2 (ish).

In a nutshell: if you can get past the 1st part's (and occasional) lack of pace, this is a well put together, well choreographed film, with a strong lead and impressive martial arts.

I give it a 10.It's a movie full of soul.It starts pretty funny, gets into serious talking.But the ending and the characters make everything possible.It's about life, it's about priorities, it's about the human soul.If the soul is too damaged it will never survive happier times, it will crumble under it's own weight.Gives perspective on life....most people won't understand or appreciate it. The actors are playing a serious and simple act, they don't have fancy words or eccentric habits. The scenes are pretty simple and focus on the characters. I would not miss this movie if i like to see the unseen. The main characters are like children, they are in a pure form of existence, they are mortals, they are human.