Fist from Shaolin (1993)
Reviewed by: hkcinema on 1999-12-08
Not only does this film have a similar plot to other films (opium smuggling foreigners ruining China, etc.), it uses actual footage of some Jet Li movies (he has nothing to do with this film). Despite this I liked the movie a lot. The acting is excellent (especially from the woman who plays Shao Lan), the action sequences are smart and fun, and this version of Wong Fei Hung is different from most movies. He's not portrayed as a mischevious kid, but rather a mature martial arts master. He teaches virtue and principle above all else, but will fight for the right reasons (by the way, is it just me or does the actor that portrays Wong in this movie look a lot like Don "The Dragon" Wilson). Even though the plot is pretty standard, the people's interactions within the plot are really good. I would have given a much higher score but for the lifting of footage from other films and semi-unoriginal plot.

(8.5/10)



[Reviewed by Dale Whitehouse]