“The Grandmaster of Kung fu”, a popcorn action film. Nothing more, nothing less.
TITLE: The Grandmaster of Kung Fu
FILM RELEASE: 2019
DURATION: 75 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio, Subtitles: English
COMPANY: WellGo USA Entertainment
RATED: Not Rated
Release Date: January 31, 2022
Directed by Cheng Si-Yu
Starring:
Yu-Hang To (Dennis To Yue-Hong) as Hyo Yuanjia
Yang Feng
Mei Xue
Naomen Eerdeni as Takeda
Liu Aiguo as Master Sun
Chu Pangching as Yu Chenhang
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Huo, a renowned expert in martial arts, must engage in a heroic life-or-death battle with a feared military commander in order to prevent Japan’s surprising and ambitious plan to seize the city.
When it comes to martial arts action films, you can always expect an action film that would feature Ip Man (grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun, who had a student named Bruce Lee who many are familiar with) or Huo Yuanjia (co-founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association, who had a student named Chen Zhen, who was portrayed by Bruce Lee in the 1972 film “Fist of Fury”).
While film adaptations have are not 100% non-fiction, they are popular among tales of being heroes during a time of foreign imperialism and of course, fighting foreign fighters. “Ip Man” (2008) starring Donnie Yen is probably the most popular Ip Man film. While, “Fearless” (2006) starring Jet Li is probably the most popular Huo Yuanjia film.
Some films that are very good, some films that are merely popcorn action films to pass the time and to appease those wanting a kick ass martial arts action film.
“The Grandmaster of Kung Fu” is probably the latter. It’s a film that focuses on action more than storytelling, but sometimes that is more than enough.
The background of the film is that the evil Japanese empire is defeating other martial arts schools and trying to rule with an iron fist and everyone who has tried to fight against their best fighters get their asses kicked.
That is until they come upon Huo Yuanjia (portrayed by Dennis To Yue-Hong, best known for playing Ip Man in “The Legend is Born: Ip Man” and also as other characters in “Ip Man” and “Ip Man 2”). A porter who just wanted to raise a wife and his son but now an evil Japanese soldier uses dirty tactics to make the Japanese Imperial Army as a stronger presence.
It’s a storyline that many of us have seen before, so in a way, it’s no surprise. So, for those wanting to watch the film, is focus on the action and the fight choreography and just marvel at how Dennis To Yue-Hong as an actor has improved as a martial arts action hero.
As many of the famous action stars that graced the big screen are now nearing or are over 60-years-old, there is always an interest of who would become the next martial arts action hero. The next Donnie Yen, the next Jet Li, the next Jackie Chan. I think the only one that ever came close was martial arts actor, Vincent Zhao.
Granted, the film industry has changed a lot and the legendary stars that we watched in those films developed skills and also did their own stunts and literally sacrificed their lives. A lot has changed these days and finding the next action star, it seems it has been proven difficult these past 15 years, but Dennis To Yue-Hong has now played the role of both Ip Man and Huo Yuanjia, so that’s a major plus for the actor.
But as for the film, it is primarily a popcorn action film. There is no major storyline and that is what I feel will be the sore spot for martial arts action films of today.
When you watch a Jet Li and Jackie Chan film, you know there will be a good story (not including American films) alongside the action, but I do feel that filmmakers are pushing out these action films with a simple story.
We have seen it done well. With films that feature the Japanese imperial army, Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury” (1972), Jet Li’s “Fist of Legend” (1994), Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” (2008) are three of the most memorable.
Those films of the past, featuring solid story and action scenes that remain memorable, “The Grandmaster of Kung Fu” doesn’t event try to become memorable. Just more of a film to pass the time.
While I do want to support Dennis To Yue-hong as an action film star, I just feel he needs the same treatment as the other mentioned films to showcase not just his action scenes, but to be surrounded in a film with a solid storyline.
“The Grandmaster of Kung fu”, a popcorn action film. Nothing more, nothing less.