Review for True Legend

You don't have to be a Kung-Fu fan to enjoy this frighteningly entertaining movie. Based on an ancient legend there is something comforting about watching a film with such a simple but satisfying plot, particularly in an age where larger than life fantasy adventures often feel bloated, over-written and highly convoluted. What you get with 'True Legend' is just short of two hours of solid entertainment, with a strong moral core, making the inevitable ending (which I won't spoil here) incredibly satisfying.


It's worth noting up-front that, whilst this film will appeal to boys of all ages (due to its pure Boys Own adventure narrative) it does get incredibly violent - though always on a hyper-real, almost cartoonish way where, no matter how hard our hero is beaten (breaking his head against statues and so on), somehow he is always able to shake it off and get on with the battle.


It's also full of the most unlikely odds. One man against whole armies - a precedent set in terms of suspending disbelief way back in the day with 'Enter the Dragon'.


Apparently it was shown in cinemas in 3D and it's not difficult to imagine that, particularly in the early part of the film which is heavy on the CGI.


Whether it's CGI or physical dexterity or (most likely) a combination of both, the fight scenes are impressive. Still - with world-renowned and critically acclaimed martial arts choreographer and director Yuen Woo Ping (The Matrix Trilogy, Kill Bill 1 & 2, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) at the helm, it's hardly surprising!


The all-star cast includes Bond girl Michelle Yeoh(Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha), Vincent Zhao (Once Apon a Time in China, Blue Encounter), Xun Zhou (The Message, The Banquet) and Jay Chou (The Green Hornet, Curse of the Golden Flower). Budget, or lack of it, doesn't seem to have been an issue here. The film exudes high class production value from every pore. This is no folksy Chinese import - but rather a major block-buster, initially intended for a huge Chinese and Asia Pacific audience, though also finding quite an audience in the west. It's also notable for being David Carraddine's last movie - a symbol of the bridging between movies of the east and west - and the film is actually dedicated to his memory.


So what is it about? Chinese Folk hero Su Qi-Er retired from his life as a renowned Qing dynasty general in order to pursue his dream of a family and his own martial arts school. However, Su's peaceful life is shattered when his vengeful adopted brother, Yuan Lie, (bald and blue for much of the movie) kidnaps his son and leaves Su for dead. Saved from death by his wife Ying and the reclusive doctor Yu, Su resolves to perfect his technique so that he may defeat Yuan Lie and reunite his family. Aided by the mystical "God of Wushu" and the eccentric "Old Sage," Su masters the art of Drunken Boxing, and embarks on the path that will eventually give rise to the legend of the 'King of Beggars.'


The 'drunken boxing' scenes are verge on the hilarious, as the falling, faltering wine-sodden Su Qi-Er still manages to take on a veritable army!

The extras are predictable but present, with a nice making of documentary throwing some light on to the story, the principals and some of the effects used in making the movie.

All in all - essential viewing for fans of high octane martial arts, and a pretty good wheeze for everyone else besides. Recommended!