Directed by: Teddy Chan
Starring: Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Leon Lai, Wang Xueqi, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Cung Le
Distributed by: We Distributions
Rating: Not Rated
Running time: 138 minutes
Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
Donnie Yen is known best for his recent roles of “IP Man 1 & 2” and he is really one hell of martial artist. I could even watch him make a batch of pancakes for two hours. Even though in this film, Donnie is not the primary focus of the film, it is still a good film. The running time clocks in a just sky of 2 hours and 20 minutes, which feel a little long. The action in the film is good and features an hour long battle sequence, which is unreal.
Set in 1905 in China, we are watching the beginning of the revolutionary moment. When political representative, Sun Yat-Sen is planning a meeting that will shape the future of the country, the plot is out for his assassination. It is up to a motley crue of men and women who are entrusted to protect him at any cost. They will be pushed to the test because these people will stop at anything to see that this meeting does not happen.
The film is a mix of politics, personal sacrifice, as well as fantastic martial arts. The rest of the cast is amazing and really adds a lot of heart to the film, especially in its second act. If you follow MMA, keep an eye out for the fighter Cung Le as well. Overall once the film gets started it kicks some major ass and definitely delivers…if it could have done it a little quicker it would have been perfect. Worth a watch for sure if you are fan of Donnie Yen and martial arts films.
The extras on the disc are good with five behind the scenes featurettes. I also love these for martial arts films because you get a really cool look of how they do all the amazing work that they do in the film. Next we have extended interviews with cast and crew, which I always enjoy a good interview being an interviewer myself. The international trailer is included as well. Lastly, there is a QR code on the disc which includes even more additional bonus materials. I think that this is a great way to include the new barcode technology and also a great way to include more content not on the disc.