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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Adapted from the 1982 kung fu classic The Prodigal Son, 2007 period drama Wing Chun teams legendary martial arts stars Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao with Hong Kong heartthrob Nicholas Tse. Twenty-five years after they starred in The Prodigal Son, Hung and Yuen now step into the senior roles, passing the baton to Tse, who is quickly emerging as one of the great action stars of his generation. The young actor has already displayed his fighting in films Dragon Tiger Gate and Invisible Target and dramas Big Shot and Proud of Twins, and to prepare for the shooting of this action-packed series, he especially trained with Wing Chun master Guy Lai. Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung unite for their first on-screen collaboration in years, and with the two veterans pillaring the series, Wing Chun is a welcome return to flying kicks and fisticuffs.

Yuen Biao is martial arts master Liang Zan, the same role he played in the The Prodigal Son, but he who was once young and rash is now a respected master and physician, not to mention the father of two sons. Liang Zan must pass on his kung fu skills to the next generation, but his son Liang Bi (Nicholas Tse) is reckless, aimless, and irresponsible, much like him in his youth. Growing up in the chaos of early 1900s China, Liang Bi encounters countless troubles and trials, romance (with Hong Kong actress Rain Li), and a certain playful white-haired kung fu master (Sammo Hung) who teaches him the art of Wing Chun.

The final fight scene was much criticized as not being a true representation of Wing Chun in action. Remember, this is a tv series adaptation, and the main lead; Nic Tse, is just a pretty face not trained in martial arts. Buy his opponent in the final fight scene is the son of Sammo Hung and has martial arts training.

The better scenes in this series were those of Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung fighting baddies.

Opening Theme:

Final Fight:

Sha Po Lang, an actioner produced in 2005 and starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Jason Wu-Jing, and Simon Yam.

Set on the eve of Hong Kong’s handover to China, the police force is clearing their cases. Inspector Chan (Simon Yam) is trying to bring a crime lord Wong Po (Sammo Hung) to justice but he had his key witness and escorting police officers killed by Wong Po’s henchman acted by Jason Wu Jing.
Inspector Ma (Donnie Yen) is sent in to take over Inspector Chan’s cases as the later is retiring but Inspector Chan is adamant to nail Wong Po regardless of methods used; including illegal means. Inspector Ma is a stickler for rules and tries to stop Inspector Chan and his men from using illegal means to apprehend Wong Po.

Realising that Inspector Chan and his men are after him, Wong Po sent his killers after the police and he starts stalking and killing them. These action sequences are show cases for Jason Wu Jing‘s awesome martial arts skills and finally climax in a long fight scene in a deserted alley. Jason’s fast knife is pitted against Donnie’s extended police baton.

Cast:

• Donnie Yen as Ma Kwan
• Sammo Hung as Wong Po
• Simon Yam as Detective Chan
• Wu Jing as Jack
• Liu Kai Chi as Lok
• Danny Summer as Kwok
• Ken Chang as Lee

Cops killing a cop killer

Wu King killing a cop in a stadium

Wu Jing killing 2 cops in a public plaza

End of Wu Jing the cop killer

End Fight

Rating: 4 out of 5
Donnie’s picked a better vehicle to showcase his martial arts than that awefully POS Dragon, Tiger, Gate. But in this movie, he is outshone by Jason Wu Jing who put aside his normal heroic roles to play a ruthless killer. Jason’s fast knife is really fast and his normally cute cherubic face had morphed into that of a cold-blooded killer.
For fans of actioners, this Sha Po Lang is a definite MUST-GET.