Da Tang You Xia Zhuan (Paladins in Troubled Times)
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Adapted by China director/producer Zhang Ji Zhong from Liang Yu Sheng’s wuxia trilogy and released in Aug 2008. This is the producer’s latest work right after his epic Bi Xue Jian.
It tells the story of Tie Mo Le’s adventure in wu ling as he hunts the killer of his family. Brought up from young by a leader in the Flying Tiger Mountain clan he was schooled in martial arts but endowed with a hot temper that controlled him.
He was repeatedly defeated by the henchmen surrounding his sworn enemy An Lu Shan but fortunately encountered a very highly skilled begger who imparted to him various martial arts skills. As he became better in his martial arts he also was able to restrained his bad temper. He made friends with other righteous fighters as well as some court officials of the Tang Dynasty.
Collaborating with director Wilson Yip for the fourth time, action star Donnie Yen takes the leading role in a momentous biopic of martial arts legend Ip Man, the Wing Chun grandmaster whose many students included Bruce Lee. Set in 1930s and 40s China during the Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man follows in the spirit of blockbuster period actioners like Fearless and Once Upon a Time in China with a rousing bout of folk hero patriotism and a breathtaking display of martial arts. Endorsed by Ip Man’s son who served as a consultant for the film, Ip Man takes some liberties with history, but cuts no corners when it comes to the intense action scenes choreographed by Sammo Hung. Donnie Yen delivers perhaps the best acting performance of his career, along with his usual jaw-dropping martial arts machismo. Ip Man co-stars Simon Yam (Fatal Move), Gordon Lam (Sparrow), Wong Yau Nam (AV), martial artists Fan Siu Wong (The Moss) and Xing Yu (Kung Fu Hustle), and Japanese actor and judo black-belt holder Ikeuchi Hiroyuki (Karaoke Terror) as Yen’s main rival.
Ip Man opens in 1930s Foshan, a town steeped in kung fu heritage and lined with an abundance of martial arts schools. The undisputed toast of Foshan though is Ip Man (Donnie Yen), known not only for his superb martial arts, but also for his great humility and integrity. Content with his wealthy, low-key life with his wife (Lynn Xiong Dai Ling) and son, Ip Man refuses to take disciples, though he is at times forced to give sound beatings to rash challengers. Everything changes, however, when war hits. There’s no more time for martial arts as Ip Man works hard to support his family through this time of poverty and oppression. But he can stay silent no longer when a Japanese general (Ikeuchi Hiroyuki) begins challenging Chinese martial artists to fatal duels.
I have to say this is one fantastic martial arts movie.
Ratings: 4 out of 5
Local Foshan master challenges Ip Man.
A northern martial arts master challenges the various Foshan masters and easily defeated them. Ip Man saves the day.
After the Japanese forces occupied Foshan commerce collapsed and everyone is reduced to scrapping for food. The local Japanese commander organises martial arts fights for Chinese to win rice bags.
The local Foshan master enters the arena and takes on a Japanese fighter.
Local Foshan master takes on 3 Japanese exponents in the arena.
Ip Man fights the Japanese in the arena.
Ip Man fights to protect his family.
The northern master has turned bandit and harasses the Foshan automotive plant and Ip Man comes to their rescue.
A classic tale of a chivalrous swordswoman seeking revenge and ended up falling for the son of her sworn enemy. A further sub-plot of the tragic romance between a Princess and her imperial guard captain.
Very unique ending theme song.
Rating: 3.5 of 5
Great acting from all except for some very draggy moments.
In this kung fu saga set in 17th century China, the Manchurians have taken over the country from the Ming dynasty rulers. As the new Ching government begins a crackdown on martial arts practitioners, seven kung fu masters, each of whom carry a sword that represents one of the seven states of being, must struggle to keep their art and themselves alive. Based on the classic martial arts novel by renowned novelist Liang Yusheng, SEVEN SWORDS is an epic story of love, betrayal, friendship, heroism, and masterful swordplay.
Infernal Affairs meets Water Margin in the hit 2004 TVB drama Shade of Truth. Like Infernal Affairs, Shade of Truth ventures into the gray world of the undercover cop, and the dangerous battle for truth and justice. In an innovative twist, the 25-episode series transports characters from the classic Chinese novel Water Margin into the modern drama, reimagining Song Dynasty heroic outlaws Wu Song and Lin Chong as present-day police officers played by Julian Cheung and Wong Hei. Fates collide in the ancient past and the murky present as the case heats up and both men fall for the reincarnation of beautiful temptress Pan Jinlian, played by Gigi Lai. Shade of Truth also co-stars Tavia Yeung, Yuen Wah, Halina Tam, Gordon Liu, and Hawick Lau.Undercover cop Yin (Julian Cheung) is the right-hand man of mob boss Sung (Yuen Wah), while inspector Chung (Wong Hei) is the star of the police force, determined to bring Song to justice. Fighting for the same cause from different sides of the law, Yin and Chung often bump heads in the course of action. After experiencing a concussion, Yin begins to recall memories of his previous life as Wu Song. What’s more, he’s convinced that his compatriot in his former life, Lin Chong, is now none other than Chung.
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