The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk Collection
review by Bobby Blakey
I love all things martial arts and since the 80s Jet Li has been putting his mark on the genre. Most notably in his earlier wuxia films with maybe only being rivaled by Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan. In 1993 director Corey Yuen teamed up with Li for the The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk (original released in the US as The Legend) and its sequel The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 2. Now Ronin Flix is bringing the films together in an all-new set on Blu-ray.
The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk follows a carefree young martial arts expert who gets involved with a government official's daughter just as he discovers his family is part of a rebel resistance movement. While his fighting ability and charm made him a local champion, his epic battle for freedom would make him a legendary hero.
I have seen this film numerous times and it always entertains. The tone is a balance between serious period action film and sometimes just silly, but that is par for this genre at the time. The story is fine and all over the place, but we are really here for the action and there is plenty of it. The wire work is always fun to watch and here done to perfection. There is a reason Jet Li is an icon and it is on full display here. He can be the fun
loving family man or switch gears to an ass kicking machine and does to perfection.
There are obviously some silly moments as well including a sequence with a horse hat is clearly fake and laughable, but that is even more of the charm of it. I love this flick and it is no wonder why it is a classic in Jet Li’s filmography.
The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 2 follows the heroic Fong Sai Yuk having fought to save his father from the wrath of the Chinese government has now joined his father's underground revolutionary organization, the Red Flower Society! But in the camp of rebels, a traitor lurks! Now, at a time when few can be trusted, Fong Sai Yuk must utilize his every skill in the fight to overthrow his nation's brutally powerful empire!
To my surprise I had never seen this follow-up so was eager to dive in. It’s pretty much the same tone and structure of the previous film with what seems to be more silliness to it. I found myself not as engaged in this one right out the gate due to the focus on more comedy, but the action is still top notch and sucked me right back in with that.
Once again the film works due to Jet Li and how likable and insanely skilled he is. More great wire work and brilliantly executed action helps to make it a sequel worth investing in despite the goofy nature and uneven plot.
Grab your copy of The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk Collection available now from Ronin Flix.
For more information or to get your copy head over to https://roninflix.com/