Jet Li's "Fearless"

[jaw2929]

I've not seen any trailers for this movie... But I knew it was released as "Jet Li's final Martial Arts movie" and I loved him in "Hero" so I figured 'why not?'

I'm glad I saw this, cuz what this was, was Jet Li pretty much fucking OWNING everyone for all of about 20 minutes.... Just a beautiful movie with phenomenally choreographed action scenes... Hand-hand, swords, nunchuks, all sortsa shit going on... And it really only drags for about 20 minutes (in the middle) but the story wasn't too bad...

Nothing ground-breaking... Just about a kid who grows up to wanna be the BEST fighter in his city... And does, and is just obsessed with kicking ass and being arrogant about it... And he ends up learning a lesson about how NOT to be so arrogant about things (see: self discovery ala "The Last Samurai") and ends up starting his own sports/fighting business...

It's set in the early 1900's in China when wester culture was just starting to come in and pretty much take over how people do things, etc.

This movie was fucking great, and if you enjoy kick-ass kung-fu films with brilliant cinematography, and Jet Li showing that he's more of a bad-ass than Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan could ever HOPE to be, then definately check this one out! :D

[anakinsrise]

Jet Li's Fearless is a feast for the eyes,heart, and mind.
Sure it has terrific ,well choreigraphed action(could of used a bit more IMO)but i liked the fact that it also contained some lessons about life.The standout being how arrogance and a lust for power,and prestige can blind us and seperate us from whats truly important in life.
Jet Li is outstanding in one of his best roles ever.Great story about friendship,loyalty,respect and love in all levels of life.
Scale of 1-10 a 9

[CreeperBEATNGU]

The most moving piece of Asian cinema I've ever seen.

While I was blown away by the technical aspects of Hero (music, cinematography, choreography, art direction, costume design, etc... all stunning), this film had that too, plus a much more emotionally gripping story.
The ending of this film had me crying my eyes out, I loved Hero, but it never really got me near that point.
Definitely the best Jet Li film I've seen.

[Lost in Space]

Indeed, i enjoyed it btu i cannot say it moved me the way it did for the gentlemen above. The fights were marvelous, well choreographed and planned out. Overall 7/10

[Shockwave]

7/10

I really liked it, but it felt a little "choppy" as showing the guys life.

[Cronos]

Fearless bored the shit out of me...the acting was terrible and the few fight scenes were the only decent thing about it. should have been a hell of a lot better

4/10

[Agent of God !]

Fearless 9/10

An excellent film, I’m currently working on a full review to this definite DVD acquisition.

Agent out!

[bigred760]

The movie was alright, but not great. The movie's pace is all over the place - first starting off as an action flick with Jet Li kicking everybody's ass and then it comes off as a drama where he learns life lessons and all that. I hate the wire work that some martial arts flicks use also - it's distracting and really unbelievable. I'll admit that the unexpected events in the movie threw me for a loop, and the ending was a pleasant suprise. And I like that type of stuff - keeps the movie interesting. But all in all, it's not that epic a movie, and I've seen Jet Li do better.

5/10

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by bigred760
The movie was alright, but not great. The movie's pace is all over the place - first starting off as an action flick with Jet Li kicking everybody's ass and then it comes off as a drama where he learns life lessons and all that. I hate the wire work that some martial arts flicks use also - it's distracting and really unbelievable. I'll admit that the unexpected events in the movie threw me for a loop, and the ending was a pleasant suprise. And I like that type of stuff - keeps the movie interesting. But all in all, it's not that epic a movie, and I've seen Jet Li do better.

5/10
I was surprised to learn that there was little to no wire work in this movie. That's rare for a Jet Li movie (Kiss of the Dragon and Danny the Dog are of course the exceptions)

[Shockwave]

..was this movie edited down? There felt like there was alot missing.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by Shockwave
..was this movie edited down? There felt like there was alot missing.

Yes.

I know the original version was heavily violent and (from what I've read) did a better job of showing his transformation from a savage brute to a man of honor.

I just found this...

FEARLESS extended cut coming to DVD
News | by Mark Pollard | 2006.09.28
In his excellent interview with Grady Hendrix of Kaiju Shakedown, FEARLESS director Ronny Yu dropped the news that an extended director’s version is headed to DVD by the end of the year.

The version of FEARLESS currently playing in theaters is a great movie, but something is definitely missing. Turns out, it’s 40 minutes worth of footage that was trimmed in the name of commercialism. In the interview Yu breaks it down pretty well regarding the realities of theatrical distribution.

Yu’s confirmation that some or all of the missing footage will be restored on DVD is welcome. However, he may only be speaking for a Hong Kong release, which may or may not include English subtitles.

The real hope is that Rogue Pictures, in an act of enlightened foresight and benevolence will grace us with the extended cut on their forthcoming region 1 DVD release.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
Yes.

I know the original version was heavily violent and (from what I've read) did a better job of showing his transformation from a savage brute to a man of honor.

I just found this...

FEARLESS extended cut coming to DVD
News | by Mark Pollard | 2006.09.28
In his excellent interview with Grady Hendrix of Kaiju Shakedown, FEARLESS director Ronny Yu dropped the news that an extended director’s version is headed to DVD by the end of the year.

The version of FEARLESS currently playing in theaters is a great movie, but something is definitely missing. Turns out, it’s 40 minutes worth of footage that was trimmed in the name of commercialism. In the interview Yu breaks it down pretty well regarding the realities of theatrical distribution.

Yu’s confirmation that some or all of the missing footage will be restored on DVD is welcome. However, he may only be speaking for a Hong Kong release, which may or may not include English subtitles.

The real hope is that Rogue Pictures, in an act of enlightened foresight and benevolence will grace us with the extended cut on their forthcoming region 1 DVD release.
Sounds good. Even if they don't drop it on Region 1, I'll import it. I always like to see the director's intended version (unless Richard Kelly is involved...)

[JCPhoenix]

This is a pretty good Jet Li film but not one of his best - I'm definitely gonna see the extended cut cause it felt like a lot was missing...I mean, they cut out Michelle Yeoh's entire storyline out of this cut...

the action sequences were fantastic as usual whenever Jet Li works with Yuen Wo Ping though the storyline is pretty close to his other films like OUATIC, Fong Sai Yuk, etc, in a general way anyway...

And Tyler_Durden_208, you forgot one more great one - Fist of Legend (which Kiss of Dragon was trying to be like)...probably near the top for me in terms of his best films...the action sequences in that are amazing.

I'd give Fearless 7/10 but I'm really eagerly awaiting the longer cut.

[Criminal Rock]

Try ebay if you're that eager to see the original cut.

i got an official region 1 copy of Fearless before it even came out in America... original cut, and with great subtitles to boot.

Only ten bucks.

[Shockwave]

HELL YES!

:cool:

Thank u CreeperBEATINGU!

[kubotakhan01]

I liked this movie.

Of course it gave nothing new to the genre, and was borderline "Chop Socky", but it was a fun movie and a descent way to kill two hours and say goodbye to Jet Li's Martial arts acting career(if he is indeed finished.) I commend him on wanting to move on from doing these types of flicks, but I'm the "if it ain't broke,don't fix it" Type. His amazing wushu style will be missed.

***1/2
out of 5