The Legend (1993)

Most martial arts movies have a few good fight scenes and practically no plot - just random wandering to transition between the fight scenes or some kind of revenge vendetta. This one, however, has enough plot devices for five movies (secret societies, secret identities, romantic misunderstandings, petty jealousies) and some of the most elaborate martial arts scenes ever staged. Jet Li is likable as Fong Sai Yuk (a genuine hero to the Chinese, about whom tall tales are spun, sort of like Daniel Boone), a young do-gooder who seems perpetually caught up in one mess after another despite his good intentions. Veteran action actress Sibelle Hu, not surprisingly, steals the picture as Fong's future mother in law Tiger Lily, a sentimental romantic and kick-ass martial artist. She winds up accompanying him on his adventure to make certain he doesn't cheat on her daughter, thereby becoming a rare thing in the movies - a mother in law who is also an action sidekick! Any of the big set piece fight scenes are worth the rental, especially the one early in the movie on a huge and rather unsteady looking tower. Plus there is real humor here which is integrated into the situations rather than tacked on in the fashion of so many Chinese movies.

Very entertaining and can be watched again and again.

Fmovies: I had the privilege of watching this movie at the local theater recently and this is easily one of the top five Jet Li films of all time. The movie incorporates, comedy, action, a well-written plot, and good old gender-bending fun. There is a slight bit of gore in the beginning, but after that it's typical light hearted HK kung-fu action.

This movie also includes one of the most memorable martial arts fight scenes which takes place in part on the heads of the audience. Fun for all ages and a breath of fresh air from Western cinema.

i didnt think this was going to be filled with humor, and the humor turned out to be HILARIOUS! i was really suprised at how funny this movie was. it could have been a comedy all by it self, it didnt even need action. but we got brilliant action, and thats awesome. one to check out.

The Legend fmovies. And I think his Hong Kong/China movies are far better than his Hollywood ones. I saw this movie literally years ago, when I was a kid, so I don't remember it as well as I want to. I do remember it being kind of sad, but nevertheless, it's one of my favourite films. Jet Li simply rules.

Believe it or not, this was the movie that introduced me to Jet Li. I was immediately hooked. I've read reviews that discredit the dub into English, but I found it easy to overlook this -- in fact, I found it to be somewhat hilarious. This film has all the makings of a great movie. There are no sub-plots that do not get resolved. The servant who always bawls whenever Jet Li's character get's set to go away for a minute or two is downright hilarious. That's one of the unique things about this movie: with so much drama they managed to make a hilarious movie, as well. As usual, the kung fu is extraordinary. In particular, there are a few scenes in which the opponents face off and the camera takes a moment to pause and let the viewer see the poses from a brilliant perspective. This will always be one of my favorite Chinese films.

Jet revives another Chinese folk-hero into traditional action with a spirited portrayal of Fong Sai Yuk, kung fu wonderkid with a happy-go-lucky attitude and gleaming smile: despite their moral standings and martial artistry, Fong couldn't be more different than Jet's other alter-ego Wong Fei-hung. FSY is mostly played for laughs, and succeeds in all departments. Plots run parallel: one, in which Fong enters a kung fu competition held by former bandit Tiger Liu (Chen Sung Yung) offering his daughter as the prize, only to lose out to Liu's wife, Siu (Sibelle Hu), so his equally-spirited mother presumes male garb and takes over: she not only wins the competition but also wins Siu's heart! The other reveals Fong's father to be a key member of the Red Flower society and in possession of a list of its members, gutlessly pursued by an evil Manchu general (Zhao Wen Zhou). Everything simply falls into place and we're left with a truly delightful action romp, with special turnouts from charming comedienne Josephine Siao (as Fong's mother) and the always-exciting Jet Li.