Jet Li 2 Movie Collection (Fist of Legend & Tai Chi Master) (Blu-ray Review)
Starring: Jet Li, Siu-hou Chin, Cheung-Yan Yuen
Rated: UR/Region A/1:85/1080p/Number of Discs 2
Available from Ronin Flix
Fist of Legend (1994)
In 1937, a Chinese martial artist returns to Shanghai to find his teacher dead and his school harassed by the Japanese.
If you are looking for a heck of away to kick off a Jet Li double feature, then you won’t be let-down at all by starting things off with 1994’s Fist of the Legend. The plot is whatever, that really isn’t import. We’re not heading into something like this looking for the most complex or even compelling thing. We’re here looking for action and you get tons of action with this one. So much that if you are only here looking for that, then you might even toss this one into an upper level of action movie rankings. One of the coolest things about this movie is it’s a tribute to Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and action-wise it does it’s job at doing just that.
Outside of just a solid action movie, Ronin went above and beyond with the release in general. We have both movies in their own cases with one big slip over the set. They also gave each movie some exclusive extras as well as other sweet things you can watch after you’ve seen the movie. This one has an exclusive interview with the director as well as other exclusive interviews with others in relation to this movie. If you want to just turn your brain off and watch a solid movie with some darn good action, then this is one for you.
Extras
- The Man Behind the Legend: An Exclusive Interview with Director Gordon Chan
- Brother In Arms: An Exclusive Interview with Kung Fu Impresario Chin Siu-ho
- The Way of the Warrior: An Exclusive Interview with Japanese Action Legend Kurata Yasuaki
- The School of Hard Knocks: A Screen Fighting Seminar at the Celebrated Kurata Action School
- A Look at Fist of Legend with Director Brett Ratner & Film Critic Elvis Mitchell
- Deleted Scenes
- Original Theatrical Trailer
Tai Chi Master (1993)
Two friends, ex Shaolin monks, part ways as they brush with the ongoing rebellion against the government. The ambitious one rises up to be a powerful military commander, while his betrayed friend resorts to learn the calm ways of Tai Chi.
Ah yes, the old tried and true story of two former best friends that meet up on opisite ends of a battle field. So not only do we get the action stuff here, but we also have a story with a bit of a more deeper touch on friendship and doing what’s right regardless. I found the plot of this one to be better than the other film, but I do think this one takes a small step back in the action department if we are just looking for comparisons of the two films. Again, I’m not at all saying this is a bad movie because it isn’t. This movie in its own right has great action sequences, but in comparison I think the other one is better. But the two still seem to level out once we’ve compared everything else. Still, classic Jet Li from a great action director and you can never go wrong with a combination of that.
Extras-wise, this one only packs one exclusive and that’s an interview with star Chin Siu-ho. But you get other interviews and even a visit to the location as well, so you do get some stuff to sink your teeth into if you are all about extras on your Blu-ray discs. Also, it should be worth noting that both movies look great to me in HD. While we live in a world these days that seems to be all about 4K, I don’t think we need to underestimate how well just basic Blu-ray seems to benefit movies and these films are prime examples. I highly recommend these movies to action fans.
Extras
- Nemesis: An Exclusive Interview with Star Chin Siu-ho
- The Birthplace of Tai Chi: On Location in Chen Village
- Meditations On The Master: Film Director Brett Ratner & Film Critic Elvis Mitchell Discuss Yuen Wo Ping
- Twin Warriors: Film Director Brett Ratner and Film Critic Elvis Mitchell Discuss Jet Li & Michelle Yeoh
