Movie Review: "Fearless" (2006)

Billed as Jet Li's last martial arts flick. Fearless had to overcome a lot of expectations. In terms of combat wsequences, it doesn't dissapoint, though, however much of what comprises a good movie isn't very abundant in this one, such as a good story.

Fearless is the life story of Huo Yuanjia. The son of a famous kung fu teacher and martial arts practitioner who in the last years of his life, dedicated his work to the developing of Wuxia by founding the world reknowned Wu Jing Sports Federation.
Yuanjia started out as a hothead who just wanted to fight. Although his fighting skills are unparalleled, he lacks patience and is constantly consumed by the idea of being the best fighter in his home town Tianjin. This is to be fulfilled whe he challenges Tianjin's best. However, he loses his family to vengeance executed by the fighter's godson.
Yuanjia trows himself into exile and settles in a village where he learns that vengeance is a bla blah blah blah, you know how it goes..


Fearless is a story told one too many times. If you have seen The Last Samurai and Welcome To Dongmakgol and other movies where the protagonist realizes that his ways were wrong as he lives among simple folk, this movie is no different.
Like I said earlier, fights are abundant as you would expect in Jet Li film. One that stands out is his duel with his childhood rival in an elevated platform with stilts for stairs. other than that, its same old same old.
The story lacks hook and didn't grab my full attention. It was just too generic and linear and, well boring. Its a bit dissapointing that this would be Jet's last hurrah in the martial arts foray. Although, after all that kicking and flipping and consistent risks taken on his life for cheap thrills for the audience. I'm gland he won't end up like old Bruce.




Rocketboy's Rating: ** (2 out of 5 stars)