Today’s quick review: Iceman. He Ying (Donnie Yen), a royal bodyguard from the Ming dynasty, wakes up in modern-day Hong Kong when the truck carrying his frozen body crashes. With the help of May (Shengyi Huang), a money-grubbing party girl, He Ying adjusts to modern living. But two of his fellow bodyguards, Sao (Baoqiang Wang) and Niehu (Kang Yu), were unfrozen as well. Believing He Ying to be a traitor, they hunt for him across Hong Kong.
Iceman is a Hong Kong martial arts fantays action comedy. Iceman mixes high-flying wire stunts with bits of light comedy and an elaborate fantasy plot involving a trio of frozen warriors, a corrupt police commissioner (Simon Yam), and an artifact capable of traveling through time. The movie aims to be a carefree romp that mixes the best parts of several different genres. However, only its action really shines, leaving the movie an uneven watch.
Iceman’s greatest feature is its action. Imaginative fight scenes with sharp choreography and varied stunts give the film plenty of flash, and although not every fight makes full use of the actors’ martial arts prowess, the ones that do are a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the film’s comedy is something of a miss. Lowbrow humor, uninspired comedic performances, and predictable jokes about adapting to modern life leave the comedic side of the film lacking.
The story is similarly weak. The basic elements of the plot aren’t bad, but there’s more going on than the movie knows what to do with. Between the bodyguards getting used to Hong Kong, the commissioner’s plans, He Ying’s supposed betrayal, the hunt for the artifact, and a subplot involving May’s ailing mother, Iceman struggles to fit the pieces of its story together, culminating in a sequel-bait ending that resolves none of the major plot threads.
Watch Iceman when you’re in the mood for a schlocky action flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously. In spite of a jumbled story and mediocre humor, Iceman’s strong action and light tone make it a fun watch for any viewer who isn’t too picky. Steer clear if you’re looking to be impressed by the plot or comedy. For a more effective martial arts comedy, try just about any of Jackie Chan’s movies.
4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 impressive action sequences hurt by mixed execution elsewhere in the film.