Since the late 1800s, the real-life Cantonese patriot Wong Fei-hung has evolved into an icon of Chinese pop culture, a sort of Asian Davy Crockett. He's been a central figure in Hong Kong cinema since the 1950s, most recently in Tsui Hark 's Once Upon a Time in China series. In this thrilling 1993 adventure directed by Yuen Woo-ping, we meet Wong as an earnest boy traveling with his upright pugilist father (Donnie Yen) and drawing inspiration from the activities of the benevolent masked bandit known as the Iron Monkey (Yu Rong-guang). The sheer physical prowess of the stars is often flabbergasting, and the action set pieces (especially an interlude atop a set of "Chinese poles") are staged for maximum dynamism. In effect, this is a powerful combination of the older, Baltic style of kung fu action and the newer body-slamming style pioneered by Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. This is a perfect martial arts picture to screen for any genre skeptics in your midst. --David Chute
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: My favorite Martial Arts film - better than Tiger/Dragon! Comment: I buy a copy for every friend who says they like Martial Arts movies - and they are always blown away by this movie! This was the movie that set the stage for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. If you liked Tiger/Dragon you will love Iron Monkey! Customer Rating: Summary: http://my.bww.com/phineshealthandwellness Comment: I've been a Kung-Fu fan for 40 years and its my opinion that this is one of the most exciting genre movies to date, also most people don't know that the part played by the little boy is actually a girl. Customer Rating: Summary: Crouching who, hidden what. Comment: I like this movie more than Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Don't get me wrong. CTHD was awesome! But this movie made me feel like I was 10 years old again all crouched down in my seat at the matin�e.
Funny, action, great costumes and Chinese delicacies (morals).
Great job on this one!!!! Customer Rating: Summary: Iron Monkey... Comment: I love this DVD. When this movie debuted in American Theatres, I noticed that several scenes were left out (people here probably figured that they were too violent and probably would have garnered an 'R' rating - thus shutting out many potential patrons). Get this "Chinese" version and enjoy this action flick "uncut!" Five stars... Customer Rating: Summary: Iron Monkey Comment: Had everything that a martial arts film should have. Had a good strong plot to it too.If your a fan of martial arts movies...get it and part 2
