official description
Chen Zhen, first brought to life by Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury, is not only a cultural hero and symbol of Chinese strength and pride, but a character who redefined Chinese martial arts cinema, propelling it to its Golden Age. Donnie Yen, one of the finest martial artists of his generation, first portrayed Chen in a 1995 television series and now returns to the role under the assured guidance of Andrew Lau. By uniting history, suspense and dazzling action sequences, Lau reinvents the well-known tale of one man’s stand to defend a nation’s dignity, transforming it into a highly entertaining action epic.
Presumed dead after single-handedly defeating all the Japanese fighters at the Hongkou Dojo to avenge his master, Chen Zhen joins the Labour Corps during the First World War. Deciding to return home to defend his country, he arrives in Shanghai disguised as a wealthy businessman named Qi. He quickly befriends the notorious mafia boss Mr. Liu (Anthony Wong), owner of the nightclub Casablanca, and Kiki (Shu Qi), the club’s star hostess. With the rapid expansion of Japanese influence in China, the military releases a death list, sending Shanghai into complete panic. As assassinations become rampant in the city, Chen disguises himself as the Masked Warrior to protect those who have been targeted.
Yen’s magnificent Chen is no longer the boastful youth that Lee immortalized, but a man filled with regret and responsibility. Lau, who draws memorable performances from the supporting cast, expertly handles the complex relationship between camaraderie, trust and love. The grandeur of Shanghai is recreated with sets that are nothing less than breathtaking.
While this latest adaptation of Chen Zhen is grand in scale and ambition, it is still anchored to its legendary hero, whose passion for his homeland is at the heart of the film.
Giovanna Fulvi
Principal Cast: Donnie Yen, Shu Qi, Anthony Wong, Huang Bo
Producer: Andrew Lau, Gordon Chan
Executive Producer: John Chong, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Guoli
Cinematographer: Andrew Lau
Editor: Azrael Chung
Sound: Kinson Tsang
Music: Chan Kwong Wing
Production Designer: Eric Lam
Canadian Distributor: Well Go USA, Inc.
International Sales Agent: Media Asia Distribution Ltd.
Production Company: Basic Pictures c/o Media Asia Films Ltd. Basic Pictures c/o Media Asia Films Ltd. Basic Pictures c/o Media Asia Films Ltd.
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