I Can’t Believe I Used to Say Martial Art Films Aren’t My Thing

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2
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Genre: Action, Comedy, History, Drama
Year Released: 1993, 2023 Ronin Flix blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 40m/1h 35m
Director(s): Corey Yuen
Writer(s): Kin Chung Chan, Jeffrey Lau
Cast: Jet Li (both,) Josephine Siao (both,) Vincent Zhao, Michelle Reis (both,) Adam Cheng, Amy Kwok, Corey Yuen
Where To Watch: Available for purchase from Ronin Flix www.roninflix.com

RAVING REVIEW: THE LEGEND OF FONG SAI YUK 1 & 2 are a dynamic duo of martial arts films that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The movies tell the story of Fong Sai Yuk, a young martial artist who discovers his family's involvement in a rebel resistance movement against an evil emperor who wants to rule China.

THE LEGEND OF FONG SAI YUK is a fun-filled comic kung-fu drama that showcases the impressive martial arts skills of Jet Li. The inventive and exhilarating fight scenes are mesmerizing and, while over the top, never feel like it.

THE LEGEND 2 takes a more serious approach to the story, resulting in a slightly darker tone. While the story moved almost above the first film, the fight sequences could have been better choreographed. Li's performance and phenomenal choreography make for an enjoyable viewing experience, bringing the standard to the extraordinary.

One of the issues with THE LEGEND 2 is that it feels more or less like a rehash of the first film instead of bringing enough new content to the table. However, the film still has many entertaining fight sequences worth watching, and seeing the whole story with both movies makes a big difference.

Overall, THE LEGEND OF FONG SAI YUK 1 and 2 are iconic entries into a genre I often found myself pushing to the side. They showcase Jet Li's impressive martial arts skills and Corey Yuen's phenomenal choreography. The two films complement each other, providing a complete cinematic experience that is action-packed and thrilling. Although the films have shortcomings, they are still enjoyable kung-fu dramas that will entertain martial arts enthusiasts and regular film-goers with just enough comedy to lighten the mood.

Special Features:
High Definition Blu-ray 1080p Widescreen Presentations of both films (1.85:1), digitally retouched from the best available high-definition masters, NEW Cantonese Mono and English Stereo lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, NEW Audio Commentary from the author of These Fists Break Bricks, Chris Poggiali on The Legend, Custom Slipcover / O-Card, plus bonus material from the prior releases including Hit Hard & Fly High: An Exclusive Interview with Director & Legendary Hollywood Fight Choreographer Corey Yuen, The Pen is Mightier than the Sword: An Exclusive Interview with Writer Jeff Lau, and the Theatrical Trailers.

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[photo courtesy of RONIN FLIX]