A loving homage to the 1973 Bruce Lee kung fu classic Chinese Connection, updated with increased production values, a Romeo and Juliet-style romantic subplot, and a more temperate view of the Japanese enemy. A martial arts protege (Jet Li) leads his classmates in revolt after their teacher is poisoned by the invading Japanese. The final fight scene is arguably one of the best of all time. Fights choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping, action director of The Matrix.

This is by far my favourite retelling of Jing Wu Meng’s Chen Zhen, this time acted by Je Li with an awesome display of his superb martial arts skills. This version is unique for 2 reasons: 1) this is the only version with a happy ending where Chen Zhen gets thru this alive, 2) the Japanese in this movie are not all portrayed as bad. His Japanese love interest and her uncle are both shown in a very positive light  Don’t read this if you do not like spoilers. And believe me when I say this is the best version of the Chen Zhen story.

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One of the best period kung-fu actioners Hong Kong has to offer, Iron Monkey is produced by Tsui Hark and helmed by renowned filmmaker and action director Yuen Woo Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Action greats Donnie Yen (SPL) and Yu Rong Guang (My Father is a Hero) team up and face off in blistering martial arts set pieces. Set in the late 19th-century Canton folklore era of patriotic heroes, evil oppressors, and chest-thumping righteous action, Iron Monkey revolves around the heroic struggles of a patriotic vigilante, folk hero Wong Kei Ying, and his even more famous son Wong Fei Hung, here still an adolescent and played by actress Angie Tsang.

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An action heroine is born in the explosive new blockbuster Chocolate from director Prachya Pinkaew and action director Panna Rittikrai, the tag team behind Ong Bak and Tom Yum Goong. With only her first film, Jija Yanin Vismitananda already stands peerless as Asian Cinema’s next big female action star. Discovered five years ago by Prachya Pinkaew during casting sessions for Born to Fight, the 24-year-old actress makes a jaw-dropping debut with a full arsenal of Muay Thai moves that belie her petite frame. Originally trained in taekwondo, Jija Yanin Vismitananda underwent four years of training with Panna Rittikrai, plus personal tutelage from Tony Jaa, in preparation for her debut, and she certainly delivers the action in Chocolate. In an interesting international crossover, popular Japanese actor Abe Hiroshi (The Sword of Alexander) co-stars as Jija Yanin Vismitananda’s father.

Tensions are high as Thai gangsters and yakuza bump heads in Bangkok. Yakuza Masashi (Abe Hiroshi) further crosses the Thai underworld when his relationship with Zin (Ammara Siripong), an underling of Thai kingpin No. 8 (Pongpat Wachirabunjong), is revealed. Masashi is soon forced to return to Japan, leaving Zin and their unborn child behind in Thailand. Toughing it out as a single mother, Zin gives birth to an autistic daughter. Clearly a bit different from the rest of the kids, Zen (Jija Yanin Vismitananda) has unnaturally fast reflexes that she channels into learning Muay Thai. Though times are tough, Zen grows up healthy and happy until her mother is diagnosed with cancer. To pay for the medical care, Zen and portly buddy Moom (Taphon Phopwandee) decide to collect Zin’s old debts, speaking with fists when payment isn’t forthcoming – which is basically every time. Zin’s old cronies aren’t about to just sit around though while Zen blazes a path of damage through the underworld.

Very good muay-thai movie with a new face. Although the actress is not trained in muay-thai prior she did a very convincing take in this movie.

Trailer

Making Of:

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Jordan Chan takes center stage in the new period drama Chen Zhen, a follow-up to 2007’s Huo Yuan Jia. Chan reprises his role as titular hero Chen Zhen, a fictional figure that attained iconic status through Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and was previously portrayed by Donnie Yen in a popular ATV drama. Produced by renowned Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan, Chen Zhen co-stars Mainland starlet Dong Jie (2046) and Hong Kong actor Terence Yin (The Heavenly Kings), as well as Tang Yifei, Norman Tsui, Leung Kar Yan, Liu Zihao, and Chu Yinan. Veteran action director Benz Kong To Hoi (Twins Mission) stays close to Bruce Lee’s fighting style by spurring theatrics and wirework in favor of simple, intense action scenes.

After the passing of master Huo Yuan Jia, Chen Zhen (Jordan Chan) leaves Shanghai and moves to Beiping with Huo’s only son Dongjiao. Keeping his identity a secret, Chen takes on a job at the Fang manor and dedicates himself to raising and teaching Dongjiao, hoping that he can continue in his father’s footsteps. Though Chen wants to stay low, he is forced into action when disputes between the Fang family and their rivals explode to the forefront. With his identity revealed, Chen is pulled back into the conflicts of the time as tensions between the Chinese and Japanese reach a boiling point. On the eve of a Japanese invasion, Chen Zhen must rise to the occasion and lead his people to defend their homeland.

More info…….

Starring:

Jordan Chan