Review of Fearless (2006) by Chadshiira — 04 Oct 2006
If you know Jet Li only from his American films, you're in for a shock. He's a Chatty Cathy. It's debatable if Li is more effective when he lets his fists do the talking, but watching him speak in his native language is a revelation; he's a fighting machine, and an actor.
Although "Fearless" bears a superficial resemblance to "House of Flying Daggers", this film has a moral center in which Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" sort of echoes(another echo: Elvis Presley), as if the filmmaker is doing the demythologizing thing for martial arts films(as Eastwood did for the western).
Like "Unforgiven", the anti-hero returns as a hero when it's time to fight again. During the obligatory climactic altercation, the violence is senseless, but it's performed with a sense of honor and righteousness.
If the action didn't take place in such a formal setting, the film's message might've registered stronger.
This review of Fearless (2006) was written by Chadshiira on 04 Oct 2006.
Fearless has generally received very positive reviews.
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