Review: True Legend

The name Woo-ping Yuen may not sound familiar to general filmgoers, but you don't have to be a martial-arts film fan to have witnessed Master Yuen's contribution to the action movie industry. Best known to the general populace for his contribution to The Matrix and Kill Bill series, Yuen is an international legend due in part to his action/fight choreography and martial arts direction. He's often credited with playing an integral part in action/martial arts star Jackie Chan's career by casting and directing him in the 1978 classic martial arts film Drunken Master.

One would think that with over 40 years of experience under his belt, the 65-year-old Yuen would be ready to rest on his laurels -- not so, as he returns to the director's chair for the first time in almost 15 years with True Legend, a Fantastic Fest 2010 selection that returns to Austin on Friday for a theatrical run at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar.

True Legend presents the "Chronicles of Wushu Masters: Beggar Su" in three parts. The short but remarkable intro shows how how Su Qi-Er (Man Cheuk Chiu), a renowned Qing dynasty general, saves a prince in a decisive battle. Su is offered the governship of a province, but he declines and turns over his troops to his foster brother, Yuan Lie (Andy On) instead. Su plans to retire from the military so he can start a family with his wife Yuan Ying (Xun Zhou) -- who is Yuan Lie's sister -- and open his own Wushu martial arts school.

Five years pass and Su and Ying have a young son, Feng. Their peaceful life is disturbed by the news that Yuan is returning to be governor, and may be seeking revenge. Su's father Wan-Kun had killed the Yuan siblings' father for using the deadly Five Venom Fists technique, and took the Yuans in as his own. His fears that Yuan Lie has returned to seek revenge are well founded, as Yuan Lie kills Wan-Kun and kidnaps Little Feng and Ying. Su's attempt to rescue them is thwarted when Yuan Lie uses the Five Venom Fists on Su, nearly killing him and throwing him in a fast-moving river. Ying follows Su into the river and the couple are presumed dead, but survive thanks to the mercy of Sister Yu -- portrayed smartly by Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Su must recover and overcome his weaknesses so his family can be reconciled.

Despite the familiarity of Woo-ping Yuen's style, his use of CG and other innovative techniques adds to True Legend. I enjoyed the lovely opening credits as well as the opening sequence to each chapter that featured traditional watercolors. Without giving spoilers, I'll just state that most of the CG is restricted to a specific portion of the movie where it plays out quite nicely in the other-worldliness conveyed and memorable ethereal fight scenes. The visual impact of True Legend moves beyond digital effects with stunning sets, gorgeous costumes, and the visual effect of armor being actually sewn into Yuan Lie's body.

True Legend transcends the traditional Hong Kong cinema with its solid cast portraying well developed characters in a strong and engrossing storyline. Audiences will empathize with the main characters, especially in some of the more tragic scenes involving Little Feng (Suen Hanwen). I was quite please with the female characters in the film being strong-willed, as Yuen Ying attempts her own rescue of Feng after she's unable to motivate a drunken Su. Woo-ping Yuen fans will be pleased with the fight sequences, especially in the last act.

Speaking of the third and final chapter, "A Drunken Fist," that's the one flaw of True Legend that has left me conflicted. Even after a second viewing of the movie, I still feel the lengthy segment is discongruent from the main chapter, which could have ended without the final sequence. Don't get me wrong -- the story and action are great, and would make a great stand-alone film that martial-arts fans would love. But the final chapter disengages the audience from the main story, even though it continues to entertain the audience with a blend of comedy, action and drama and is not enough to dissuade me from recommending True Legend. Be sure to check it out on the big screen to enjoy the full visual effects of this movie.