Legendary Assassin - the directorial debut of martial artist Wu Jing - is, in every way, a throwback to the b-grade Hong Kong martial arts films of the late 1980s complete with goofy comic relief, sweeping romance and a hugely melodramatic finale. For fans of golden age Hong Kong action this thing is a gold mine of all the tropes seldom seen on screen these days though others will likely find these particular elements less appealing. Luckily, for those people, the film also features action o'plenty and proves that Wu was actually on to something when he thought he could direct a film himself: this is quite easily the best shot and best constructed film that Wu has appeared in since drawing huge attention in SPL.
The story is very basic - Wu plays a killer stranded on an island surrounded by police and searching gangsters when an impending typhoon shuts down the ferry service and eliminates his escape route - but is told well and Wu makes a more than likable lead. For my money Wu is the best Chinese fighter of his generation and he shows off his skills to great effect with both wired and unassisted sequences set in a variety of environments with a broad range of opponents.
Will Legendary Assassin elevate Wu into the true A-list? Nah, it's not really that sort of movie but for fans of the old school this will definitely hit the spot. And now the fans can get it: It hits region free Hong Kong DVD on January 20th.
One thing that I think really works in Wu Jing's favor is his unassuming look. He's got a babyface, which was used perfectly in Fatal Contact. Looking forward to this.
I think he should drop the international "Jacky Wu" name. Ugh.
I love Wu Jing and devour his movies like a tweaker out for a fix. I think he is a charismatic actor and an extraordinary athlete. This movie, however, is ass. Sweaty, smelly, swamp-ass. I never thought I could be so bored watching a wushu champion throw a kick. The fights are uninspired and the heavy application of slow-mo killed any tension he tried to build up. The chick cop was completely unconvincing as a fighter. I don't believe for a second that she could pummel that big retard in the restaurant scene even if she were wearing cement shoes and I'm not an asshole like Jackie Chan who thinks that women can't fight. I never once questioned Michelle Yeoh's or Cynthia Rothrock's ability to stomp a mudhole in most dude's asses. And it's unexcusable for any martial arts film since Drunken Master 2 to have a scene where the protagonist is taking on multiple opponents who rush at him only one or two men at a time. It really irked me to see that in the finale.