Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010)

Director: Andrew Lau

Writer: Cheung Chi-shing, Gordon Chan

Cast: Donnie Yen, Shu Qi, Anthony Wong, Huang Bo, Kohata Ryu, Yasuaki Kurata, Zhou Yang, Huo Siyan, Shawn Yue, Ma Yue, Ma Su, Chen Jiajia, Zhang Songwe, Lü Xiaolin

Running Time: 106 min.

Plot: See review below.

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S REVIEW: Director Andrew Lau (The Storm Riders, Infernal Affairs) re-writes film history by making Chen Zhen (Bruce Lee) survive the blazing gunfire in the now-legendary freeze frame in 1972's "Fist of Fury." Not much detail is explained on how he survives, but the movie makes it obvious that the character is capable of dodging bullets.

"Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen," which takes place after the events of "Fist of Fury," follows Chen Zhen (now played by Donnie Yen) as he leads an underground resistance movement aimed to stop the Empire of Japan from invading China; When he goes after the bad guys, he disguises himself as a masked superhero.

Bruce Lee fans will appreciate the references to their hero (Kato costume, nunchucks, and uniforms from 1972's Fist of Fury). There's even direct hints that establishes this movie as a true sequel (one flashback recreates a scene from the original). So whether you like it or not, this is Fist of Fury "Part 2" and not some gay remake (like that Jet Li piece of shit everybody loves so much).

Even with all these neato Bruce Lee surprises, there's never really a moment where I feel a magical connection. Even "New Fist of Fury" and some of those Bruce Li sequels were able to accomplish that. Way to go Andrew Lau.

The main problem with "Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen" is that it feels like one long theatrical trailer - one that never quite grabs my attention. The film just moves from one scene to another with hardly any room to breathe. About 20 minutes in, I felt unattached to everything on the screen and I stayed this way until the very end. I mean, come on... this is the star of "Ip Man" in a "Fist of Fury" sequel directed by the guy who essentially gave Martin Scorsese his best film since "Goodfellas." There's something seriously wrong here.

There are instances of brilliance in some of the action, thanks to Donnie Yen unleashing his fury (*cough* bring back Sammo Hung as choreographer). But overall, the outcome is uninspiring. Come to think of it, there's not a whole lot of action going on (and mind you, the lack of action isn't the film's problem). There's a chunk of action in the beginning, a little here and there, then there's the so-so grand finale (and I mean so-so). Was it me or was Donnie Yen doing his Bruce Lee imitation unintentionally silly? I've pretty much come to the conclusion that Bruce Lee is the only guy on Earth who can use a pair of nunchucks and not come off looking like an idiot.

I have to add that "Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen" is very violent with a lot of morbid death scenes and even a torture sequence, but it all feels out of place and forced. Speaking of that torture scene; I don't want to see Donnie Yen's ass, I want to see him kick ass. Who the hell does he think he is, Daniel Craig?

The film also stars Anthony Wong (who looks like he wishes he starred in "Ip Man" instead) and Shu Qi (didn't we get sick of her 10 years ago?) who spends the majority of her screen time acting tipsy. As far as the actors who play the Japanese baddies, they suck and have no charisma at all.

I don't know about you guys, but I prefer Chen Zhen dead.

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S REVIEW: 5.5/10