Today’s quick review: Fearless. Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li), the son of a wushu teacher, follows in his father’s footsteps and becomes an undefeated martial arts champion. But his arrogance causes him to make mistakes that cost him the life he had built. To redeem himself and make amends for his past, Huo must learn to fight for something greater than himself: the national pride of a weakened China.
Fearless is a martial arts drama set in early 20th century China. Fearless tells the true story of Huo Yuanjia, a martial artist known for the school he founded and his fights with several foreign champions. The movie focuses on Huo’s rocky path from cocky young champion to the mature warrior he would one day become. Between its excellent action and its capable writing, Fearless is an unusually well-rounded entry into the martial arts genre.
Fearless features an impressive display of martial arts. Jet Li’s skills make the fight scenes crisp and fast-paced. The variety of weapons he uses helps to keep the combat fresh without resorting to group fights or gimmicks. The stunts exaggerate the occasional jump or feat of strength, but on the whole the fighting is much more plausible than the typical martial arts film.
As far as the story goes, Fearless manages to be a fairly credible drama. Huo Yuanjia’s nuanced character shines through in Jet Li’s acting: playful, brash, and unable to see trouble until it is too late. The film’s tragic moments do make it a heavy watch, but the tragedy is offset somewhat by an undercurrent of optimism. The story’s main flaw is that it is too short to fully capitalize on its setup; a little more plot could have brought more out of its characters.
Watch Fearless if you are a fan of martial arts, Chinese history, or biographical dramas. Although the story leaves a little bit of emotional impact on the table, the action and the drama are both handled well, making Fearless a worthwhile watch. Skip it if you are looking for pure action, light escapism, or note-perfect drama. For a martial arts movie with a similar plot, check out Ip Man.
7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fast-paced martial arts action and a well-structured dramatic story.