Fearless (a.k.a. Huo Yuan Jia)

[dagamezmasta]

Brief Sypnosis:
Jet Li's last martial arts film, Fearless (named Huo Yuan Jia in the Chinese version) is a film based loosely on the life and times of Huo Yuanjia, a legendary martial artists who defeated foreign fighters and restored pride to the Chinese people during a time when Western Imperialism was eroding and ruining the country.

Brief Overview of Cast:
Jet Li - Huo Yuanjia
Betty Sun - Yueci
Dong Yong - Nong Jinsun
Shido Nakamura - Anno Tanaka (Japanese elite fighter)
Collin Chou - Huo's Father
Bao Qijing - Huo's Mother
Nathan Jones - O'Brien (American fighter)
Masato Harada - Mita

Acting:
Having just seen this movie, I have to say that it was indeed worth the watch. The acting by Jet Li, Dong Yong, and Shido Nakamura are all superb and exceptional. Other actors and actresses did an overall good job as well.

Music:
I first heard of this movie simply because Jay Chou composed the theme song for it, so I guess I was expecting some good music in the movie. Surprisingly, little music was used in the movie. Don't be disappointed if the music doesn't totally measure up to expectations.

Cinematography:
Certain parts of this movie are just pure beauty. There are scenes where you see terraces on mountains and scenes of China's landscape, and they are simply gorgeous. The nature scenes gives a sense of peace and wonder to the beholder.

Emotions:
This film really gives puts you through a lot of strong emotions, especially toward the end of the movie. Most importantly, it emphasises how much pride Huo Yuanjia brought to the Chinese at a time when Westerners referred to Chinese as "sickly Easterns." It is hard to put feelings into words, but numerous emotions were felt during the movie, including pride, wonderment, sadness, shock, and grief.

Overview:
This movie is more than your typical action-packed, shallow martial arts movies. This movie is about Chinese culture, Chinese history, and Chinese pride. It is about a man who stood up for his people and saved their pride at a time when his people were seen as about the most miserable, detestable, and despicable people on the planet by Westerners. This movie is about honor, morals, and pride.

[JianDan[Ai]]

Ok I had a long thing typed up, and now its all gone. Sigh =/

Anyways, what I basically said is, I think its a great movie, I really enjoyed it, but it still wasn't his best. As Jet Li's last martial arts movie I was hoping for something that was groundbreaking like "Hero" was. Then again, you need an outstanding director to do that kind of work.

I think the plot was a bit lacking. Compare it to 'The Last Samurai' while very different stories, the concept is the same. Prideful soldier/fighter gets disheartened, goes off to the countryside, through living a simpler life, learns a lot, then is forced back into battle and shows what he learns.

I'm sure without a doubt most people will say that 'Fearless' lacks a lot of the type of development, both character and plot, that you see in 'The Last Samurai.' That, and the fact that it was at times extremely predicatable, were the only things that really bugged me about this movie really. It has a great story/concept however which I think is ideal for Jet Li's final martial arts movie.

[dagamezmasta]

Yeah, I think you're right in that it was a bit predictable. And you brought up something I had never thought of before, that it is like The Last Samurai. But maybe saying that might spoil some stuff for people who are planning to watch this movie?
I'd probably agree with you in that I liked The Last Samurai better than Fearless, but I found Fearless an inspiring movie nonetheless.

For me, that last battle was moving, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at the same time.

[zhy378]

i already watched this movie three times. first time i watched was very emotional, so this movie might get a drop or two of tears from you or at least a watery eyes for a bit. but this movie is duable to be watched more than one time. beside the fighting scenes such as ones that give you a thought of ' >.< ooh that must hurt, heard the bones cracked" this movie kind of give you a mixed moral message being the known jet li's last wushu movie and being based on huo yuan jia life.

[petricia]

I would say I was disappointed by the movie.
The cinematography was great; the fighting scenes, as all Jet Li shows (esp. the non-Hollywood ones), were also awesome.
However, what's lacking is perhaps the depth in plot. Everything (including the portrayal of a prideful Huo Yuan Jia) is rather surface. I would not say that I was impressed by Jet Li's acting as a proud person. I like the comparison to "The Last Samurai". I wouldn't say that it is the greatest film ever made but still it was an emotion rollar coaster for me, unlike "Fearless".
It may be a personal preference but I prefer something that's more subtle.

[Fearless]

Fearless is easily the film whre Jet Li has shone the most in his career. Though aging, his skills are still great and his acting has improved greatly compared to film's like The One. The only similarity I saw between this and The Last Samurai was that the bad guy who dis-honors his country is played by the same guy. :D I can't wait for the American Theatrical Release to see it on the big screen. :excited:

[orangeman]

I wanted to watch this movie for some time. I think Jet Li usually makes better asian movies than his american movies. Though it was good, it's not one of Jet Li's best movies. I liked the "Once Upon a Time in China" series, which had very good action and fight scenes.

The plot was dull for me. I expected more action, and less of a "road back to fighting" thing. The love parts didn't help either. I don't play attention to acting/sounds much, as the fight scenes is what I anticipate the most for. Everytihng else tunes out.

Overall, it's an average movie. I watched it once, but it doesn't appeal me to watch it again.

[pumpkin21]

i thought the movie was rather good, but it was totally not what i ws expecting. i was kinda surprised by jet li's character at the beginning of the movie because he typically plays men with high moral and values... after awhile one begins to see the character development and journeys with his heartache to his sprititual redemption..

[MeGal]

I really liked this movie! Though I only did hear of it after knowing that Jay composed a song for it. But I like all Jet Li's kung fu movies! Mostly the ancient China ones, like Huang Fei Hong.

In this one, I was quite surprised at his character at the beginning of the movie. But of course I loved all the action scenes. The scene in which he lost his family was so touching and sad and I really felt for him. I liked how the "friendship" between him and the country girl developed and it seemed like he found love again, but then the ending moved me to tears again, for him to fight on for the pride of his country.

I admire the Japanese fighter for relinquishing victory, as he very obviously saw that Huo is a much better fighter and was only defeated due to other factors. The ending was very sad.

Overall I liked this movie a lot, as it took you through a lot of emotions. Shock at Huo's initial callous attitude, sympathy for his family, warmth for his relationship with the country girl, pride for his love of his country and finally sadness for the ending. I will definitely watch this movie again!

[Cardcaptor Stacey]

I really enjoyed this movie. Jet Li really brings his character to life. If you love kung fu and like a little change from Jet's other films, then this is for you! :-)

[karenyang]

i enjoy watching this movie alot....been rewatch it probably 5 times....i love the fighting part the most....:-)

[funkindagirl]

thanks for the reviews...ive been waiting to see this for ages..sounds awesome! and i love martial arts films

[nightshade]

I liked Fearless a lot--it's a fitting way for Jet Li to end his martial arts movie career. The only thing that sucked is in the North American release they cut out Jay's song.

[neena]

Hmm...I like this movie...its a good movie but not a great movie to me. Hmm...I found some of the scenes unnecessary because I felt like those scenes made the movie drag on. I liked the plot...how a man discovers himself, thats nice. I also loved the scenes where Huo Yuan Jia spent his time in the mountain side, most of the sceneries were spectacular. Hmm...I thought Jet Li's appearance looked the worst in this movie, I dunno. The fighting scenes were very good and of course with Jay's ending credit song, that was a double check for coolness. :-)

[lonely_boy]

I watched this movie like for a miliionth time already and I'm not sick of it yet. The story of the grand martial art master, Hou Yuan Jia, is great. However this probably applied only to eastern people. I asked my friend at school and they all said it's weird. In spite that, the movie is still awesome

[sinyee]

I really like this movie. I was kind of freaked out by some of the violence in the show though. An example would be the part where Huo yuan jia punched his rival somewhere near the shoulder and you can see the impact from the back. :wacko:

[Racheal]

i like this movie a lot and i like the way jet li acted in the movie as well.. but he looks quite old in that drama and it has a very nice and meaningful storyline... besides that the song is nice and it is sung by jay!!!!^_^