Fearless Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Fearless

This, apparently, is Jet Li's last pure martial arts film. What the 43 year old will do from here on out is unclear but at least he's quit while still in good enough shape to go out with an interesting film.

For the first hour Fearless is everything you want from a martial arts film. The fights are tightly packed together with only a little space left for plot and character. The fights are coreographed by the great Yuen Woo Ping, best known in the US for The Matrix but reknowned among Kung Fu movie fans as the director of, among others, Iron Monkey and Drunken Master. Here his coreography is graceful but hard hitting, it flows beautifully but remains largely grounded with only minimal use of wires and CG.

Even as he approaches his mid 40's Jet Li is still a breathtaking martial artist, his speed really is awe inspiring and, crucially, you believe he could best each of the fighters he comes up against.

What Jet Li isn't, though, is a great actor and this hurts the second half of the films. Huo goes into exile and learns some life lessons and here the pace flags badly as the fun of the fights vanishes and the whole thing becomes rather po faced. Even on his return home much time is eaten up with worthy speeches before the ineveitable last reel showdown.

Ronny Yu returns to China for this film and it looks just as good as his Hollywood work and the fight scenes retain all Yu's customary style but he too seems a little lost when the films slows down in the middle.

If you can retain patience and interest over the half hour of, essentially, waiting time in the middle of the film then this is a decent finish to Li's martial arts movie career, fight wise it's often brilliant but if you simply want to see a great Jet Li movie start with Once Upon a Time in China or Hero.

A customer from London, what do you know?

Having read the review from 'a customer in london' who obviously has no idea about cinematography or film making, how can you not say this is a masterpiece when out there at the moment are innumerable film being literally processed and distributed by Hollywood as the greatest kung fu film ever. Maybe you should go and watch 'no retreat, no surrender' or one of the many Van Damme movies where you can appreciate cheap moves by a cheap actor who can't act! RENT THIS EPIC FILM, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Not the film Jet Li wanted it to be

Don't often write reviews. I really liked this film but only gave it 3 stars as the director's cut (available in hong kong & USA) is the true film. There was around 30 to 40 mins cut from this film to appeal to commerical markets and a whole sub plot of the film is missing as well as another fight. If you liked this film or if you felt the film was a little lacking i would advise you to try and get hold of the director's cut which is over 30 mins longer (try ebay or search online)

Fearless - What a film

As this was his last Martial Arts Epic, Jet Li has certainly gone out with a bang! Although not really an epic, the film works on many levels as we see not only the story unfold, but the characters journey of self discovery. Easy to follow and an engaging experience - highly recommended

[Highly rated reviewer]

Magnificent.

If this is truly Jet Li's final martial arts epic then all i can say the wee man has gone out with a bang. This film is a joy to watch with everything an epitome of what Asian filmaking has achieved over the last fifty years. The cinematography is superb, the sets first class, the locations beautiful, the acting magnificent and best of all the incredible fight scenes which shows up Li's grace, agility and abilities brilliantly and shows to all and sundry that he is THE true heir to Bruce Lee's martial arts crown.

The film is based on a true story with Li playing an arrogant martial arts master who goes one step too far in trying to prove to everyone he is the best which has tragic consequences to all around him.

Realising his mistakes he goes on a journey, meets a beautiful blind girl who teaches him humility before he goes back to his homeland a changed an humble man.

This is easily the best martial arts film since Hero and even if your not a fighting fan i challenge you not to enjoy this film.

I just hope Li decides to go back on his word and makes more films of this ilk and not back to shambolic fodder like Unleashed and Kiss of the dragon.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Going out with a bang, of sorts.

Shown mostly in flashback this film shows the consequences of ignorance and vengeance.

Some brilliant fight scenes, directed well and with a plausible story aswell make this a five star film.

I'm so glad they didn't go for the flying over tree tops and over mountains thing they used in Crouching Tiger, which was very very silly.

Worth Watching

Because this story, at least appears to be biographical, its course seems already set.

There seemed something unsatisfactory in someone going through such a long process to reach redemption, without being able to fully enjoy its fruits.

Released from the constraints of a biography there could have been a much more satisfactory happy ever after ending.

An inspiration

This movie is not just an simple story of a martial artist. It is a biography, an inspiration, a valuable lesson and a way of thinking and behaving in life. Martial arts are synchronised in perfection and the environment is perfectly equilised with the story’s narration. Take your time to read the subtitles allowing yourself to ‘live’ the moments. It is worth watching for those who enjoy mental stimulation, adrenaline and purity in romance.

Fearless

Thoroughly enjoyed this film. Jet Li plays a good role and the story was very interesting. Found it quite sad at the end although I knew it was going to happen.

Jet Li at his best

The only thing I didn't like about this film was the ending - I'd have liked a happier one.