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Cast:
Jet
Li
Josephine
Siao
Michelle
Reis
Chiu
Man Cheuk
Adam
Cheng
Chu
Kong
Sibelle
Hu
Action:
Yuen
Kwai
Yuen
Tak
Producer:
Lee
Yeung Chung
Director:
Yuen
Kwai
Score:
 
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FONG
SAI YUK
AKA:
The Legend Of Fong Sai-Yuk ||
Jet Li's The Legend
Year:
1993 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
After
the immense success that he garnered from the first two 'Once
Upon A Time In China' movies, Jet Li used the new-wave
traditional platform to branch out in a slightly different
direction. Once again, Li takes the role of a famous Chinese
patriot, Fong Sai Yuk, but this time he gives free reign to
his inert comic abilities and creates another huge hit. With
veteran action choreographer and director Yuen Kwai on board,
Fong Sai Yuk became one of the biggest hits of 1993 and
remains a huge favourite among Hong Kong film fans today.
Fong
Sai Yuk enjoys the benefits of being young, part of an
influential local family and one of the best fighters in
Canton. During another carefree day, Fong enters an athletics
contest to impress a beautiful stranger (Reis) and wins with
great ease, further solidifying his reputation as "One Of
The Ten Most Outstanding Youths in Canton". However, an
altercation occurs and once again Fong finds himself at odds
with his stern father - thankfully though, he can always rely
on his protective mother (Siao) to smooth things over. Further
adventures await Fong when he enters a martial arts contest
organised by Tiger Lei - a former bandit who is hoping to
become a prominent businessman in Canton - and purposely loses
after mistaking one of Lei's maids as the prize. The real
prize is Lei's beautiful daughter who is the very same woman
that Fong had met in his triumphant athletics showing. In
quick succession, Fong's mother disguises herself as a young
fighter to bring back honour to the household and then finds
her son forced into marriage with Lei's daughter. When Fong
Sai Yuk discovers who his prospective bride really is, he is
more than willing to participate in the wedding ceremony.
What
has been for the most part a more light-hearted narrative
takes a darker turn when a Manchu official enters Canton
looking for a list featuring the names of Ming patriots. The
current owner of the list is Fong Sai Yuk's father who,
without his family's knowledge, is an important member of the
local Ming rebels. Therefore, Fong's relatively innocent
lifestyle is shattered as he must stand up for his family and,
more importantly, the Ming patriots contained in the name
list.
'Fong
Sai Yuk' is rightfully considered among Jet Li's finest films
and it continues to be responsible for introducing many new
devotees to the wonders of Hong Kong cinema. Li revels in the
chance to combine the comedic side of his screen persona with
his well-known fighting aptitude, expertly mixing these
contrasting styles to fine effect. Supporting this commanding
central performance is Josephine Siao who very nearly steals
the whole film with her super-fighting matriarch role and, at
this later stage of her career, adds another fine string to
her bow. A special mention must also go to the excellent music
score that resonates throughout the film; it ranks as one of
the best soundtracks of 90's Hong Kong cinema.
Without
doubt the action remains the main reason for the film's
popularity, but this department is perhaps the one that could
have been improved on. The wirework is over-emphasised with
certain scenes so abundant in these effects that the natural
skills of the performers is slightly blunted. However, this
critique is not a major one and the fight choreography is
still supremely exciting. 'Fong Sai Yuk' may not be the best
kung fu film ever made, but it doesn't disappoint and is
highly recommended viewing.
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