Memorable, crazy movie

Excellent, a Must See

Am I Missing Something?

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

This is the story of Chen Zehn, a Chinese living in Japan just after Japan's occupation of China. I believe Zehn (Jet Li) is a kung fu expert, but he is far from being a master. In fact, he returns to China when he learns that his master has been killed by a Japanese martial artist, and basically it is about how Zehn gets to the bottom of why he was murdered and deals with the bad guy that was behind it all.This is basically a Chinese against the Japanese film set in the late 1930's. The Japanese are bad, which is not surprising coming from the Chinese who have had a long seated hatred of them. Such a thing happens when you are neighbours and both want to be a super-power, as has been for a long time. Not all of the Japanese are bad though, because Zehn falls in love with a Japanese woman, and flees with her to escape persecution of his fellow Chinese, and he also fights with a Japanese martial arts master, but they do not have a deep seated hatred for each other - they only fight because they have to.There is not much that is deep about this movie, it is a remake of Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury (though I have not seen it). What it does show is how there is a Sino-Japanese rivalry, which isn't new. If we look at a number of Hong Kong movies we will notice that when it isn't the communist Chinese that are bad, it is the Japanese (and I am not considering the Hong Kong drug lords, which seem to be the most common).Another thing this movie does though is that it shows us that even though the nations may be hostile towards each other, it does not mean that the individual members of the nations cannot have a relationship. Even then these relationships will be hard because of the general dislike that exists between those two nations. This is clearly seen when Zehn is sent away because he seeks to protect a Japanese woman - the enemy.The question that arises is because a nation is the enemy, are all of its people bad as well? In the past this has been seen as such. During World War II, Japanese and Germans were imprisoned in both the United States and Australia simply because they were Japanese or Germans. There was no consideration to the fact that they were citizens and had a deep seated loyalty to the nation. In fact, such treatment is more likely to destroy one's faith in the nation than to increase it. But that is the way of the world.As a movie it isn't bad. The fight scenes are good and entertaining and the struggles that occur in the relationship are explored. The ending may be good, but it isn't happy because the good guy does not get the girl. The realism exists as she must flee because of who she is, even though Zehn desires to be with her. It is something that creates a desire in the person to search for her, but this is another story.

this movie might have had what Bruce Lee's Chinese CONNECTION (FIST OF FURY) hadn't, namely 30 years of time, better SFX etc, but fails on more than one level. Sure, cinematography is much better ( CC was clearly shot in some second-rate studio ); you get more extras, outdoor scenes, etc, BUT it isn't enough to cut it. While CC failed on the acting level, this remake fails trying to add too many subplots: you get the "interracial/ethnic" love story subplot ( daughter of Japanese minister falls in love with poor Chinese immigrant ); the divided heritage subplot ( the carnal & adopted son of the deceased master cross paths & clash over who's in charge of the school ); the torn friendship subplot; the anti-war subplot; the conspiracy subplot; the denial of the "other" subplot; the "there are good ones & bad ones" subplot...short too many subplots for a martial arts movie, especially a B movie. In his movie, although cheesy & over-head at times, Lee could convey tension and make a point. This movie struggles with making any point, and with trying to add so many angles it loses focus quickly. Fight scenes are very good; acting better than CC. While I have watched Lee's movie 57 times, I wouldn't bother twice with this one, that is after all a very loose remake: only a small segment of the story overlaps with CC. The overlapping segment is handled in almost comical manner, while it was more carefully built-up in CC. Rumor has it both movies are inspired by real events, so who knows.

First of all to all the negative people that commented, I truly am ambiguous about your points about weak plots, translations, clichés and what not. This movie is almost like a tribute to Chinese connection only refined, intensified and Jet lified. On that basis alone what the hell is it with your complaints about the plot, clearly only those unfamiliar with this genre is that stupid to do so.Personally this has to be one of my favorite martial arts flick if not the my fav of all. Simply because when I saw it for the first time it amazed and blew me away. The fighting scenes are purely awesome and raw as it is intense. The fewer use of wire works even made it so unique and natural. It really further showcased Jet li at his prime speed, strength, agility and flexibility projected on screen. The rest of the cast did good and that girl was cute. All the fight scenes are just mind blowing, specially the last one and the choreography's at it's finest level.I've seen this quite a lot of times and a must see for any real martial arts fans. Truly a martial arts masterpiece.

Jet Li at his prime. Jet Li's remake of THE CHINEESE CONNECTION by Bruce Lee not The Fist Of Fury by Bruce Lee is well done and slightly alterted so its not the exact same thing although Jet Li's and Bruce Lee's name is the same in the movie. Anyone who is a fan of Jet Li or old kung fu movies should love this movie and is on my top ten list of greatest kung fu movies. Very good fighting scenes that are realistic and not a lot of other fake things in them like wire fu and other things like that. Its a very pure kung fu movie and is a great homage to Bruce Lee's CHINEESE CONNECTION not Fist of Fury (although that is a great Bruce Lee movie).