How a simple paper worker, defeated and killed 2 assassins by bare hands? Was he very lucky? Or the paper worker has skills to really defend himself? Or was he someone else? These were the questions running in the watcher's mind as this movie going through.
Definitely, like other Donnie Yen's movies, it was not shown here. I hope there was an attempt to show this movie here...
One simple morning, 2 customers came in to the paper shop and looking for a certain person. As they recognize the target, they attacked him, one got hurt first by accidentally cutting his ear, then the other one, well jumped off the ceiling and killed. While the other one is recovering from that cut, he thrown the guy in a open space, to the river and yes.. The killer got killed from a lucky punch from the worker.
By the way, the woker's name well it's Liu Win Xi as imdb says, sounds like that in the movie I watched. =)
The town rejoiced and called police to check the scene. Detective Xu came in and checked the crime scene and yes, the corpses of the attackers. At first he thought the scene was normal, deciding it was luck that killed the 2 attackers. But when checking the corpses, something weird shown in their bodies. Very weird... The one killer has a hit in the head but he has an one punch in the chest, a bruise. Then the another killer, well, has bruises in the chest but his eyes were red and has enlarged face.. Well, the detective has a great forensic and medical skills so he guessed that it was not luck that killed these guys. He also discovered that these 2 attackers were not normal assassins. They were notorious criminals, escaped from prison. He has questions, why target this simple guy and yes, is this guy really got lucky or someone else.
Detective also guessed that one of the notorious killers was still alive and he might that simple guy. That motivates him to solve the crime. As he talking to Liu, he can't say if he is a fighter or even a killer.. He also look at him as dumb.. But when he invited Liu to check the scene, that time he know what happened. He knew it while asking Liu some questions, and it slowly shows what really happened. Of course, he did not accuse and arrest him right away..
However, as he become close to Liu, there is one event supports his theory.. That Liu is a killer.. Liu has a chance to kill the Detective but he did not do it out of courtesy and respect. Liu obviously knows his history.. He was a professional killer for his clan and family, which I forgot the name, but it's sounds like 77 demons. But anyway, he chose to live a simple life due to his past mission, he experienced compassion and conscience and instantly left his clan.. Decided to live a peaceful and happy life with his own family.
The clan still looking for him because they thought he was dead already. But one judge lied to the clan and advised he is still alive and well. The leader of the clan which is Tang Long's father, by the way, Liu's real name as the detective guessed, Tang Long.. Before the leader came in, he sent 2 assassins to confirm this. Well, they found Tang and attacked him even with the leader's warning, 2 elite killers are not enough. Tang disposed them.. Detective worried about Tang's life and his family, offered to help him make a decoy for the arrival of Tang's clan.
Detective staged a fake death and one of the leaders of the clan came to confirm his death.. Tang awaken and suddenly cut off his right arm, his killing arm.. After that, as Tang and his family went away, the leader just showed up and attacked Tang, telling him he cannot escape his destiny, fate.
Tang got easily defeated in front of his family even with his great skills using one hand. He almost die but saved by the Detective, he put pins to the master's neck and it was struck by lightning. Master died, the detective also died because of the strong punch made by the master. Tang barely survived.
Tang and his family lived peacefully and moved forward from what happened.
I tried to short this up but well, I can't.. hehe
But, I loved this film. Chinese films now, not only focuses either action films, like kung fu or period films, some drama as well.. Now they make sci fi, comedy which I rarely like, and now in this film, action film with drama and well, history of violence type film. History of Violence, one of the great films, action films made.. Made a mark because of the CSI type plot and drama as well.
Wu Xia, is I think the only kung fu film that entails with this concept. It worked really well! I believe no other fillm will dare to make another this kind of film. It's a difficult film to do. That's why comparing it with other Donnie's films, it is not a full action film like in Chen Zhen... How about in the lost bladesman if I got the title right, don't even forget IP Man. Even his old films, it's all martial arts packed. This one, it's different.
It has great dramatic sequences and my favorite, the CSI scenes.. Great film, that's why I did not compare this so much in other action films because of it's weird concept.
It has flaws, but not that big. One is well, the CSI scenes are not that polished.. The anatomy shots, but it's not really a big deal. Another one is, I don't like the concept why he cut off his arm. It looks like they want to make this an explanation on the one armed swordsman legend. The one armed swordsman legend is a very famous literary legend in China. It has films already done, one I know is Zatoichi vs. One armed swordsman.
But the idea is quite not fit with the film, I hope they made another plot or reason for it. I mean Tang can just do another way to avoid his past, other than cutting his arm. I know he can fight that scene, but I hope they just made another way to escape that scene. However, I still like the film because it does made sense for that scene or Tang's thinking. It's like he has no other choice.
Enough of the flaws.. Let's go to why I love this film.
First were the actors. Of course, it's the only film of Donnie which I did not put him at first. Although his performance was great here, especially when he does the killing mode style. That's what we call in his real identity, like Ted says. It's just well, I still like Chen Zhen or even he as a villain in Once upon a time in China part 2. How about Iron Monkey? He's better there than this one. But for the movie, not the lady from Lust Caution, but Takeshi Kaneshiro. Please don't be surprised he's japanese and taiwanese.. Geezz.. I love his character not only because of his wits but his quest to know the truth, as he was very confident about this case. I also loved his alter ego scenes, very frail but never lose hope. I just hate him because he died. Poor guy..
How about the 2 assassins, well, the first ones and the last ones.. The first ones look dumb but in the real scenes, they are killers. The other two, damn, they are professional assassins as well. Wow, like the lady with knives, she is really deadly. hehe The wife done her part and the cute kids as well. How about the master of the clan? Damn, one tough dude, it's like Sammo Hung in Ip Man 2 but in a deadlier stance. He can absorb not punches but sword attacks.. Damn. hehe
I love the scenary and setting of the film.. Not that elaborate but well detailed and prepared. The action scenes were great, even not so many, but when it's time for killing, it was worth the wait. How about the CSI scenes, I know I criticize those details but seriously, that concept alone in a kung fu and with a great story, it was a good fit. Nothing more, nothing less.. =)
Lastly, Ted and me liked this part of the film. How rare that rock music was used in a kung fu film? This fit the bill.. Especially in the action scenes, definitely what a way to show the tenacity of the sequences and yes, the killing mode.
I definitely recommend this, see what happened to my friend Ted. He still wants to talk about the killing mode scenes. =)
Sometimes, even the scene already shown the truth, we must dig deeper, discover what really happened..
Especially if the only reason a simple paper worker defeated and killed the 2 assassins was luck..
There must be a logic behind this Hero..
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