Review of True Legend (2010) by Ardhie H — 11 May 2010

The much anticipated return of Yuen Woo-Ping to the director's chair arrives, and Yuen proceeds kicking it predominantly old school with some great levitation skills and mad drunken fist, all enhanced by fancy CGI (and in Chinese theaters reportedly also 3D) that never diminishes the original wushu though.

Yuen's seemingly lifelong obsession Beggar Su is terrifically played by Zhao Wen-Zhuo, who most famously picked up where jet Li left things in Tsui hark's Once Upon A Time In China series. Apparently Zhao developed some acting skills while appearing in thousands of dramas on Chinese telly, since Su's transition from wholesome athlete to delusional alcoholic seems pretty authentic.

The fantasy world in which Su enters in the middle act feels less authentic in comparision however, and this borderline Storm Warriors-episode should perhaps have been toned down some. The final reels are also a bit confusing, featuring the late David Carradine in a final degrading appearance as a racist WWE promoter.