Jet Li kicks some serious arse in his this, his supposed final martial arts film wherein he plays real martial arts legend Huo Yuanjia, the most honored Wushu (martial arts) fighter in China at the turn of the twentieth century.
The film follows Yuanjia from his childhood through adulthood, and features flashbacks with child actors that would have even the toughest Wushu fighter cooing. From an early age, Yuanjia vows to become the undefeated champion of his home, Tianjin. He finds success, but in doing so, loses sight of what's important — family and integrity. A blind woman in another village helps him see his errors and he returns to his village a changed man, sharing his newfound commitment to sportsmanship with the fighting world and founding the Jingwu Sports Federation, a martial arts school.
Fearless' story is a good one — funny at times and both sincere and serious at others, though it does stumble occasionally when the plot gets predictable and sappy. But because it was made with an awareness of the weakness of English translation, neither detracts too much from the overall film.
The cinematography is grittier than a lot of modern Asian cinema but just as beautiful. The fighting is ... wow. In a market saturated with Matrix-cribbed technique, Jet Li's 30 years of skills have a grace and power all their own. His moves leave the viewer gasping with every one of his opponent's bones cracked and egos shattered.
But Fearless is really about the true spirit of martial arts and China. Jet Li isn't just fighting for blockbuster appeal but, as his character eventually realizes, to recapture the essence of Wushu and the pride of his home country. Early in the film, his character says that politics are for the intellectuals, but coming full circle, he later realizes national unity should be important to all countrymen. Despite some amusing jabs at America's influence on traditional China, this film leaves even this American viewer feeling oddly patriotic (or maybe just wishing she lived in China.)
Copyright © 2008 Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.