Jet Li’s Fearless (2006) review

Dir. Ronny Yu

By: Steve Pulaski

Rating: ★★★

At 46-years-old, Jet Li declared he was done with traditional martial arts movies. The stunts had taken a toll on his body, and perhaps he saw a bit of himself in Huo Yuanjia, whom he plays in Fearless. Both men are noble and skillful in the perfection of their craft, but perhaps if Huo had slowed down later in life, traded fighting for influence, he would’ve been known as something of a philosopher in his second act. One gets the idea that Li initially choosing Fearless to be his last true martial arts film — he’d keep such a promise for five years, until he opted to be a part of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, for it was the first 3D wuxia film — was because it afforded the opportunity to flex his proclivity for drama in the quieter moments of Huo’s life.

Huo Yuanjia was a martial artist in early 1900s China, renowned for his ability to defeat foreign fighters in well-attended, heavily promoted matches in order to establish a nationalism that was missing from the country. When viewed through a modern prism, it’s almost science-fiction to consider morale and status being among a concern for the country, even prior to the birth of the Republic of China. More than 100 years later, China’s influence on America and the world continues to grow rapidly, and the country still fittingly considers Huo a hero worth celebrating.

Hybridizing the warm nostalgia of chopsocky and the vastness of historical epics, Fearless examines the life of Huo Yuanjia in three definable acts: the first shows the budding legend as a defiant child, eager to pawn his calligraphy homework onto a friend while he practices the art of mizongyi. He envisions competing in (and winning) various street fights in the city of Tianjin. Eventually, he achieves that very dream. His routine is enviable. He trains several understudies, wins a match, and then racks up enormous bills at a local eatery, where they liberally pour wine at his request.

In so many words, he breaks one of Biggie Smalls’ Ten Crack Commandments (#4: “Never get high on your own supply”). He also disobeys his mother, who tells him from a young age that the real “art” of martial arts is self-improvement and selfless teaching. When challenging rival Qin Lei (Chen Zhihui) at his birthday party leads to a tragic twofer, Huo exiles himself to a life of meditative farming, which dominates the second act. On one hand, it’s an excuse for this biopic to have some tranquility mixed into what at first seems like a montage of beat-em-ups, but its purpose is to show that even when overflowing with hubris, the Chinese fighter was capable of some necessary introspection at the right time in his life.

The third act has Huo returning to Tianjin where he seeks to restore China’s respectability on a global scale. He erects the Chin Woo Athletic Association in Shanghai (still active to this day), and challenges fighters from all across the world, including the aptly named Hercules O’Brien (Nathan Jones), a muscle-bound Irishman who looks like he’s double Huo’s size. It’s a riveting sequence.

Fearless was directed by Ronny Yu, who established himself as one of the most notable chopsocky directors throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He found some success in America, directing a pivotal horror sequel (Bride of Chucky) and a highly anticipated, flawed crossover (Freddy vs. Jason). Despite the ups and downs of both films, he’s right at home capturing the slick combat sequences and graceful moves of a master like Jet Li. Regardless of whether you’re viewing Fearless for the martial arts or the story of Huo Yuanjia, you’re getting a very well-done movie either way.

Starring: Jet Li, Nakamura Shidō II, Sun Li, Dong Yong, Chen Zhihui, Nathan Jones, Collin Chou, and Masato Harada. Directed by: Ronny Yu.