12-04-2014, 01:16 PM
This is a kick-ass Donnie flick, the kind we've all been waiting to see again. The fights are some of the best stuff Donnie has delivered in years. There's wirework and CGI but it's done well and adds to the action.
It's a little like Gallants in that it has a high regard for the wulin and wude. It has that great old skool Kung Fu vibe too, although this time it's set in modern Hong Kong. What's more, it gives face to a lot of HK film veterans, showcased in the ending credits. HK is shown off really well, its tangled urban jungle, cluttered shore dwellings, and fast-motion panoramic city-scapes. It has a gritty police-procedural tone, but then it explodes into these outrageous Kung Fu duels. Most notable is that in HK, major Kung Fu battles can take place on highways full of cars and semis, and none of the drivers really bat an eye. This totally redeems the silly highway fight finale in Iceman.
Donnie plays an older role, which fits him well. He even shows some good acting chops, surprisingly good actually, more range than usual, especially given the nature of his character. He could have played it off much more simply but he reaches for a little more dramatic depth and it totally works.
Wang Baoqing is a revelation as the serial killer uber villain. He's a Shaolin guy and this film really showcases his skills. He's a great match for Donnie.
Shi Yanneng also has a role - a surreal fight on a giant skeleton. And there's even a sword fight with a sword hottie.
This might be my favorite Kung Fu film of 2014. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to seeing a better quality version. I watched a stuttering pirate without subs. That's the best version I could secure at this point or I'd bring it to DOOMXMAS 2014.
It's a little like Gallants in that it has a high regard for the wulin and wude. It has that great old skool Kung Fu vibe too, although this time it's set in modern Hong Kong. What's more, it gives face to a lot of HK film veterans, showcased in the ending credits. HK is shown off really well, its tangled urban jungle, cluttered shore dwellings, and fast-motion panoramic city-scapes. It has a gritty police-procedural tone, but then it explodes into these outrageous Kung Fu duels. Most notable is that in HK, major Kung Fu battles can take place on highways full of cars and semis, and none of the drivers really bat an eye. This totally redeems the silly highway fight finale in Iceman.
Donnie plays an older role, which fits him well. He even shows some good acting chops, surprisingly good actually, more range than usual, especially given the nature of his character. He could have played it off much more simply but he reaches for a little more dramatic depth and it totally works.
Wang Baoqing is a revelation as the serial killer uber villain. He's a Shaolin guy and this film really showcases his skills. He's a great match for Donnie.
Shi Yanneng also has a role - a surreal fight on a giant skeleton. And there's even a sword fight with a sword hottie.
This might be my favorite Kung Fu film of 2014. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to seeing a better quality version. I watched a stuttering pirate without subs. That's the best version I could secure at this point or I'd bring it to DOOMXMAS 2014.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse