Movielogr
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010)
Directed by Andrew Lau
Twitter Facebook Google+Most recently watched by noahphex, sensoria, schofizzy, seanCduregger, jenerator
Overview
The Japanese forces occupy Shanghai and slowly start spreading terror in the city. Chen Zhen, who was presumed dead, returns to fight against the Japanese and put an end to their tyrannical rule.
Rated R | Length 105 minutes
Actors
Donnie Yen | Shu Qi | Huang Bo | Anthony Wong | Yasuaki Kurata | Shawn Yue | Ryu Kohata | Huo Siyan | Zhou Yang | Akira | Ma Yue | Karl Dominick | Jiajia Chen | Alex Ahlstrom | Yale Varty | Shi Feng | Yasufumi Minowa | Tony Ho | Miao Chi
Viewing History (seen 2 times)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27/2021 | TV | DVD | Owned | 7 stars |
| 09/29/2010 | Movie Screen | Film | Theater | 7 stars |
| (Average) 7 stars |
Viewing Notes
A Very Good Revisit™ for my mini FF project. Another one I have not seen since I saw it at my first FF in 2010. Totally forgot that Kurata is in this during the flashback scenes! Anthony Wong is lowkey great in this as is the huge Shanghai street set they built that always looks so fake (and I’ve seen used in other movies, that same street corner configuration w/the club or theatre or whatever on that primary central corner). The TMDb description for this movie is woefully inaccurate, btw.
Feel p much the same about this movie now and still find it v entertaining despite the suspension of belief required to accept everything that happens. Chen Zhen is otherworldly great at kung fu and destroys dozens of karate dudes at that Japanese dojo at the end… but gets easily beaten by the JP commander in the first round? Granted he was a bit winded having destroyed dozens of dudes but still…
Also, Kiki (Shu Qi) is not believable at all as a JP spy. As much as I love her she’s one of the weaker aspects of this film. It is crazy to me that she was 33 or 34 when she made this and radiant as ever. Seeing her in this period piece set in Shanghai reminded me of when I discovered Gong Li films in the late 90s / early 00s. Shu Qi has similar qualities but not nearly as capable here.
There’s a few scenes that could be removed wholesale and wouldn’t hurt the film but only make it tighter. I just find it hilarious how bad the Japanese are made to look here (and they are awful!). Plus I’m always down for Donnie Yen and his stunt double annihilating dudes.
I got this DVD at Big Lots back in the day for $3. Not bad but definitely noticeable less-than-ideal PQ compared to what a Blu would look like. Still better than broadcast SD stream. One thing that is interesting is that this is a 2-disc set from Well Go USA. One entire disc for bonus content. It’s interesting bc anymore most (all) new releases from Well Go USA have zero bonus features outside of promo trailers. I was just lamenting this last night after viewing the Rigor Mortis blu. It’s a shame. If the same features are on the Blu I would consider getting that.
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