75
NPR by Mark Jenkins
Flashy and fun, and a nifty showcase for Yen.
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (精武風雲)
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- Hong Kong,
- China
- 2010
- · 105m
Director
Andrew Lau
Cast
Donnie Yen,
Shu Qi,
Huang Bo,
Anthony Wong,
Yasuaki Kurata,
Shawn Yue
Genre
Drama,
Action,
History,
Thriller
Seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after discovering who was responsible for his teacher's death (Huo Yuanjia) in Japanese-occupied Shanghai. A mysterious stranger arrives from overseas and befriends a local mafia boss. That man is a disguised Chen Zhen, who intends to infiltrate the mob when they form an alliance with the Japanese. Disguising himself as a caped fighter by night, Chen intends to take out everyone involved as well as get his hands on an assassination list prepared by the Japanese.
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What are critics saying?
67
Portland Oregonian by Shawn Levy
This isn't at the same level of quality as Yen's "Ip Man 2," which played earlier this year and was one of the best martial arts movies in a long time. But it is entertaining, even if it does ask you to suspend boatloads of disbelief.
67
The A.V. Club by Noel Murray
It's just too bad that Legend Of The Fist breaks up that action with long scenes of well-dressed men and women sitting around in nightclubs, talking politics.
60
Boxoffice Magazine by Steve Ramos
Pleasantly old fashioned, with plush period sets of '20s Shanghai and actual hand-to-hand combat.
50
New York Post by V.A. Musetto
Too bad it lacks a substantial story to go along with the kick-ass combat scenes.
50
The New York Times by Mike Hale
It's generally fun to watch Mr. Yen move and not much fun to watch him act, and Legend of the Fist is no exception.
50
Variety by Justin Chang
This superhero spin on a largely Eastern legend will appeal primarily to Asian genre aficionados on homevid.
40
Los Angeles Times
Unexpectedly flatfooted when it should be light on its toes, Legend of The Fist fails to pack much of a punch.
40
Time Out by Nick Schager
The movie's infrequent martial-arts centerpieces deliver the feeblest of punches.
40
Village Voice by Nick Pinkerton
Anyone who's seen a martial-arts picture expects a certain amount of thumb-twiddling between the big numbers, but director Andrew Lau's handling of exposition is markedly poor, distended with rubbish plotlines, flashy sadism, and overwrought jingo.
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