Once Jet Li starred in the original Once Upon a Time in China in 1991, his career skyrocketed instantly, and almost every film he did in that decade has withstood the test of time. Some are better than others, but as a collective, the ’90s were a stellar time in his career and Hong Kong film history. It’s difficult to choose a favorite, but the Fong Sai-Yuk films are certainly near the top of the list.
Miramax released them Stateside many years ago in a trimmed and dubbed version, re-titled The Legend. Ronin Flix has just released on Blu-ray both films in a limited edition collection in their original language with subtitles as The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk. Thankfully, the films aren’t nearly as confusing as remembering the various titles.
In The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk, Jet Li plays the titular character, a carefree youth who enjoys getting into scuffles and always finds himself getting in trouble with his mischievous ways. Just as mischievous is his mother (played by Josephine Siao), who tends to get into trouble when bailing him out. Sai-Yuk falls for the daughter of a government official while learning his father is part of a rebel resistance movement out to protect the people of China.
In the sequel, Sai-Yuk is now part of the Red Flower Society and is sent on his first mission to intercept a box containing some top-secret documents. When things don’t go his way, it becomes apparent that there’s a traitor amongst the alliance who must be stomped out before something horrible happens.
Part one is a near-perfect mix of action and humor. The always reliable Corey Yuen directs and, being a martial artist himself, knows how to create breathtaking action sequences while capturing them rivetingly without obscuring the movements or cutting away too soon. The action is impressive in both features, but the fight sequence atop the heads of a cheering crowd is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever captured on film.
RELATED: ‘Millionaires’ Express’ (1986) Blu-ray Review: A Hong Kong Classic
The second film relies more on laughs than action, but there are still some pretty great moments, especially the finale. CGI will never even come close to matching what this crew did with wires. Action aside, the duo of Jet Li and Josephine Siao is truly perfect. The mother/son dynamic is at times hilarious but also sweet since they constantly risk everything for one another. The first film has the edge over the second, but both are worthy of your attention.
Both films are packed onto a single disc with a handful of special features, including interviews with Corey Yuen, Jet Li, and others. Also included in the first film is a commentary track with Chris Poggiali. The picture and sound are above average though I think there could be room for improvement. It’s still the best either film has ever looked, and the set is available at most retailers for under $30.
The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk features Jet Li in his prime and at his best very early in his career. They’re fun and exhilarating, and this release is the perfect opportunity to revisit these martial arts classics.
