Ive known about Jet Li for a long while now, my first exposure came around 96-97 when I saw Tai Chi Master (Twin Warriors) and Fist of Legend for the first time. Then in 1998 Jet got a role in the american film Lethal Weapon 4 and with that the whole world came to know Jet Li for his lightning fast moves and incredible agility. Since Lethal Weapon 4 Jet has been in a bunch of films some good, most pretty bad. The best of the group being: Hero, Kiss of the Dragon, and Unleashed. Then in 2006 Jet decided he had enough, with the release of Fearless, a fictionalized telling of the life of Chinese legend Hou Yuanjia, it was announced that it would be his final “Martial Arts Epic”; what exactly does that mean you ask? Well basically hes tired of martial arts being portrayed as the first and only resort in motion pictures so the best thing for him was to step away all together. He will still make action movies but no more period piece kung fu films. So does Jet go out on a high note or does he belly flop into obscurity?
Film and Features
Already a boxoffice hit in Asia, Jet Li’s Fearless, directed by Ronny Yu (helmer of the Hong Kong classic The Bride with White Hair), is Jet Li’s final martial arts masterpiece, capping a tremendous body of work in that genre. Jet Li’s Fearless reunites the actor and martial arts superstar with producer Bill Kong (Hero) and action choreographer Yuen Wo Ping (Unleashed) as he portrays martial arts legend Huo Yuanjia, who became the most famous fighter in all of China at the turn of the 20th Century. Huo faced incredible personal tragedy but ultimately fought his way out of darkness and into history, forever defining the true spirit of martial arts. His self-discovery, and the choices he made, inspired his nation. The son of a great fighter who did not wish for his child to follow in his footsteps, the bullied Huo Yuanjia resolves to teach himself how to fight - and win. After an ill-advised fight leads to another master’s death, members of Huo’s family are slain in revenge. Grieving and ashamed, Huo wanders the country in shock. Near death, he is rescued by women from an idyllic village, and is offered simple kindness and generosity that help him heal and regain his equilibrium over a period of several years. Huo realizes that the future of martial arts lies in sportsmanship and not brutality, and he rejoins society to apply what he has learned. Returning to Tianjin, Huo takes steps to come to terms with his past and restore his family’s name. His evolving, graceful Mizong Fist method of fighting brings Huo renewed success, and he forms the progressive Jingwu Sports Federation. Taking note, duplicitous members of the Foreign Chamber of Commerce engineer a Shanghai tournament pitting Huo against four fighters, each representing the major foreign powers in China. Huo commits to the bout and faces off against, respectively, a British boxer, a Spanish swordsman, a Belgian soldier, and a Japanese martial artist. What happened that day in 1910 has never been, and will never be, forgotten in China.
My only gripe with the film were its historical inaccuracies, the early part of the film did not mention his family properly as he had older brothers as well, also in the film, Huo did not have any other children as his only child and mother was killed; however he actually has 7 grandsons and 11 great grandsons so the name still lives on in China today.
The DVD is pretty sparse too you get the Unrated Version of the film (a whole minute longer) as well as the Original Theatrical version, no commentary track, no real historical information about the period, or people involved. The only special features are:
• A Fearless Journey - which is basically an 18 minute EPK piece with interviews with Jet Li and director Ronny Yu.
• A Deleted Scene - Which takes place early in the film and was cut for all the right reasons.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Tech Specs
Presented in its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio Fearless sports a less than stunning anamorphic transfer. Halo’s are clearly present in the films opening sequence, some of the colors are a little washed out and soft. It may be a great movie but I just wish this movie looked better. On the bright side the audio is fantastic, you can choose between either the original Mandarian (with or without English subtitles) or English 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtracks. Dialouge is clean and clear in the center channel where it belongs and the surrounds are used with great effect to create the ambient noises (birds chirping, crowds cheering, etc…)
- Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Overall Review
Well at the beginning of the review I asked if Jet would go out on top or fall flat on his face, well I can honestly say Jet Li ends this part of his career on a total HIGH NOTE!
- Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Jet Li’s Fearless
Film and Features: 4.5
Technical Specs: 3.5
Overall Review: 4.0
Studio: Universal Studios
Genre: Action/Drama/Martial Arts
Aspect: 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio: 5.1 Mandarian & English Dolby Digital
Pick Up Fearless
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