This movie is definitely one of the best movie featuring Jet Li.
Let me tell you why, I personally am a Chinese, who speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, and several other dialects, but those doesn't matter as Jet Li has only featured in Mandarin and Cantonese movies. I have basically watched almost all of Jet Li's movies, not because I'm a big fan of his, but most of the Chinese movies starring him after the the "Once Upon A Time In China (Wong Fei Hoong)" series, he has rise to stardom, therefore making all his movies a big hit in Asia. And I'm pretty much into watching big hit movies.
What I would like to comment on Jet Li is that, he is one of the worst actors from China and Hong Kong (flame me if you wish, but, that's true, read on). Go ahead and watch all his movies in the past, and you'll realize he has no talent in acting, no expression at all. BUT, bear in mind, he is actually good in martial arts, graduating from one of the martial arts school in China, with distinction, winning multiple awards for acrobatic martial arts displays. Don't get me wrong, just because he's not good at acting doesn't mean I don't like him, his martial arts applied in movies are mostly his true skills, and fun to watch. But the truth is, he isn't as determined as compared to other Asian actors who has starred in Hollywood movies. A very good example would be, Jackie Chan. When he first came into Hollywood, he can't speak English at all, and now, he speaks fluent English. Whereas for Jet Li, he still can't speak fluent English. This shows how determined an actor is to build up his/her own acting career.
Regarding why I think this movie is one of Jet Li's masterpiece. Most of you who doesn't understand Mandarin wouldn't appreciate this movie as much as those who does. True, you might think that you understand the story, I never doubt that. But, Chinese, is a very beautiful language, where you can use many kinds of words to describe the same thing (bear in mind that Chinese has the most characters/words among all other languages ever existed). You can use a certain word to describe a scenario with mild tone, or you could use other words to make it more meaningful, and sometimes, make the whole sentence sound like a disaster, in the end, it serves the same purpose as sending the same message to the audience, but you would get different response from your audience on how you send the message to them. In this movie, Fearless (Huo Yian Jia), the appropriate words the producer chosen for the dialogue couldn't be any better than what it is. Words used were very touching, and perfectly executed at the right place, and the right time. Although Jet Li's expression in this movie still haven't reached the level of what I would classify him as a good actor, his actions, and synchronization in this movie, along with the storyline made this a masterpiece.
Although some of the martial arts actions may be a bit exaggerated, but what is in the movie is mostly true events occurred in the past. This movie gives you a brief idea of how Hua Yian Jia was brought up as a child, and got himself involved in the world of martial arts, how he went through highs and lows part of his life, and how he and his fellow friends started up the Martial Arts Association back in China in the early 1900's.
Trust me, this movie is worth the watch. You'll learn many moral values out of this movie. You will appreciate this movie no matter if you understand Mandarin or not, but if you do understand Mandarin, it would be an advantage, which would make you appreciate this movie more.
Overall, I would rate it a 9/10 as I am still somewhat not too satisfied with Jet Li's acting skills. But yet, he deserves my respect for creating a masterpiece for his very final appearance. I wish him all the best for his future.
Let me tell you why, I personally am a Chinese, who speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, and several other dialects, but those doesn't matter as Jet Li has only featured in Mandarin and Cantonese movies. I have basically watched almost all of Jet Li's movies, not because I'm a big fan of his, but most of the Chinese movies starring him after the the "Once Upon A Time In China (Wong Fei Hoong)" series, he has rise to stardom, therefore making all his movies a big hit in Asia. And I'm pretty much into watching big hit movies.
What I would like to comment on Jet Li is that, he is one of the worst actors from China and Hong Kong (flame me if you wish, but, that's true, read on). Go ahead and watch all his movies in the past, and you'll realize he has no talent in acting, no expression at all. BUT, bear in mind, he is actually good in martial arts, graduating from one of the martial arts school in China, with distinction, winning multiple awards for acrobatic martial arts displays. Don't get me wrong, just because he's not good at acting doesn't mean I don't like him, his martial arts applied in movies are mostly his true skills, and fun to watch. But the truth is, he isn't as determined as compared to other Asian actors who has starred in Hollywood movies. A very good example would be, Jackie Chan. When he first came into Hollywood, he can't speak English at all, and now, he speaks fluent English. Whereas for Jet Li, he still can't speak fluent English. This shows how determined an actor is to build up his/her own acting career.
Regarding why I think this movie is one of Jet Li's masterpiece. Most of you who doesn't understand Mandarin wouldn't appreciate this movie as much as those who does. True, you might think that you understand the story, I never doubt that. But, Chinese, is a very beautiful language, where you can use many kinds of words to describe the same thing (bear in mind that Chinese has the most characters/words among all other languages ever existed). You can use a certain word to describe a scenario with mild tone, or you could use other words to make it more meaningful, and sometimes, make the whole sentence sound like a disaster, in the end, it serves the same purpose as sending the same message to the audience, but you would get different response from your audience on how you send the message to them. In this movie, Fearless (Huo Yian Jia), the appropriate words the producer chosen for the dialogue couldn't be any better than what it is. Words used were very touching, and perfectly executed at the right place, and the right time. Although Jet Li's expression in this movie still haven't reached the level of what I would classify him as a good actor, his actions, and synchronization in this movie, along with the storyline made this a masterpiece.
Although some of the martial arts actions may be a bit exaggerated, but what is in the movie is mostly true events occurred in the past. This movie gives you a brief idea of how Hua Yian Jia was brought up as a child, and got himself involved in the world of martial arts, how he went through highs and lows part of his life, and how he and his fellow friends started up the Martial Arts Association back in China in the early 1900's.
Trust me, this movie is worth the watch. You'll learn many moral values out of this movie. You will appreciate this movie no matter if you understand Mandarin or not, but if you do understand Mandarin, it would be an advantage, which would make you appreciate this movie more.
Overall, I would rate it a 9/10 as I am still somewhat not too satisfied with Jet Li's acting skills. But yet, he deserves my respect for creating a masterpiece for his very final appearance. I wish him all the best for his future.