So, a few weeks ago, I watched Man with the Iron Fists. There were a lot of things I wanted to discuss that I couldn’t because of spoilers, so here is me letting off steam.
Watch at your own risk: there are spoilers in this video.
No Holds Barred: Man with the Iron Fists
Do you guys like hearing me rant? I had a lot of fun doing it, and might consider doing more (and better ones) if you guys enjoy them. For now, watch it for what it is.
Another busy week, but totally worth it. Be sure to give the new podcast a listen!
Posters for Badges of Fury, Fist of Legend, and Trailer for Saving General Yang
Scott Adkins Heads Toward Distant Shores
Trailer for the Princess and the Seven Kung Fu Masters
Police Story 2013 Begins Editing
Man with the Iron Fists Review
Background Info
Wu-Tang member (and martial arts fanatic) RZA finally got his chance to direct a film with Man with the Iron Fists. The movie was an homage to the traditional ways of martial arts films, having a huge number of big names backing it. Quentin Tarantino produced the film while Eli Roth helped write the screenplay. On top of this, film legends like Gordon Liu, Corey Yuen and Kuan Tai Chen also lent a hand. The cast consisted of Lucy Liu, Russell Crowe, Cung Le, and Daniel Wu. Did this movie have enough love and attention to be regarded as a “classic?”
Man with the Iron Fists Trailer
Story/Characters
The Story to the Man with the Iron Fists attempts to harken back to simpler times, but it just falls apart in the process. While the basic outline can echo older martial arts films, the leaps in logic are so irrational, that it makes the whole experience confusing. Characters team up and help each other for no real reason, and there is no real explanation of why things are happening. Even the few story reveals that would have been tolerable are given away by the RZA, who also acts as a narrator for no real reason. It’s hard to understand why a story so simple can be so confusing, but the RZA manages to pull it off in the Man with the Iron Fists.
The main reason why the story is so confusing is because of the characters. Almost none of them (except for the Blacksmith) get any real depth to their characters. Of course, that could be a blessing in disguise as well. The characters may have a history together, but it’s simply shrugged off for the sake of action, but makes it hard to care about anything that happens in the movie, at all. While most of the time shallow characters are excusable in an action movie, it’s a different beast entirely when the characters actually interfere with the progression of the film.
Action/Choreography
Story and characters are meaningless if there is solid action, right? Sadly, this movie is still stuck in the era that is attempts to pay homage to. The fights aren’t creative or unique, just gory for the sake of being gory. Corey Yuen does a decent job with the choreography, but there just isn’t anything here that stands out. A lot of the weapons and poses are there just to look cool, and they don’t make any sense at all. Most of the ideas are reused concepts and lack originality. Even hardcore action fans will have a tough time sitting through this movie.
Own it, Watch it, Try it, or Skip it?
What is the point of this pose?
Some people will argue that the Man with the Iron Fists is a satire, while others say it’s just a bad movie. Here’s the thing; if you can’t tell whether the movie is serious or not, there is a problem. With terrible dialogue, a confusing plot, and bad action, there isn’t a single redeeming factor to this movie. Even if you turn your brain off, some jumps in the film are just too big and distorting, causing you to ask what is going on and why everything is happening. Some will find enjoyment out of this type of film, but most will look at it, shake their head, and realize that some things are left better in our minds as nostalgia.
Skip it
Lots of fun things to discuss, so feel free to sound off. I’m excited for the Donnie Yen/Nicholas Tse project myself, but I can wait on Man with the Iron Fists.
The Gory Side of Man with The Iron Fists
Jackie Records Chinese Zodiac Song
Jackie Donates Zodiac Heads and 12 New Posters
Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse Team Up for Enter the Master
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning Review
The Man With the Iron Fists is a film this is apologetically violent and gory. It’s a martial arts film that glorifies the blood spilt in battle, and now there’s some pretty solid proof of it. Check out the featurette by Ain’t It Cool News:
Now, I’m not a huge fan of gore and blood, but this will give you a very accurate depiction of what to expect. I’ve complained about the fights looking slow before, but this might be enough to warrant a view for some people. Yeah, I’m still not a fan of the RZA either, cause he fails a promoting his own film (in my humble opinion.)
To be honest, I’ll most likely wait to review this one because I’m not too terribly interested in it, but I could go see it if you guys want a quicker review. The Man with the Iron Fists comes out on November 2nd.
Source: Aintitcool.com
Lot of good stuff this week. I’m worried about the Police Story 2013 poster, but Universal Soldier looks pretty solid. What are your thoughts on the Man with the Iron Fists clip?
New Jackie Chan Project Announced
New Posters for Tai Chi Hero
Police Story 2013 Filming in November
New Universal Soldier Trailer, Man with Iron Fists Fight, and Police Story 2013 Poster
New Trailer and Stills for the Last Tycoon (UPDATED)
New Stills for The Guillotines
Moumantai 2 (No Problem 2) Review
It looks like it’s going to be another crazy week, especially since news is being announced like crazy. Let’s get started with a fresh, new trailer for Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning
There seems to be an interesting blend of story and action for this film, and I’ve heard some good things about it. The fights look like they will be solid, even though I’m a little weary of Adkins and Van Damme pairing up again. That being said, I think that this movie will be a very creative attempt at offering something new.
Next up is a sequence of fight clips from Man with the Iron Fists. This is the first time I’ve seen anything “new” from the film, and I’ll let you see it for yourself. (Clips are courtesy of Collider)
I’ll go ahead and say what my gut feeling is…the fights are slow. The one with the RZA isn’t as bad, but that fight between Cung Le and Lucy Liu felt really slow-paced. I’m sure it’s a creative decision, but is that what we really want to see? I know that some of you are excited for the film, and I’m curious what the response will be to those fights.
Lastly, a really strange poster has been released for Police Story 2013. It’s the one right above this text, but it just seems wrong to me. Jackie’s face looks way too young, and Twitch has pointed out that Jackie’s head has been posted on Jason Statham’s body from the poster for the Mechanic. So, is this on official poster or just a rushed fanpic? Right now, it could be either, but I’m really hoping this isn’t an official poster for the film.
Feel free to sound off on anything you want. I’m actually surprised that I’m most excited for Universal Soldier out of the three, to be honest.
Crazy week this week, so the articles may be out of order. Feel free to click around and see what interests you!
New Trailer for Chinese Zodiac
New Man with Iron Fists Trailer and Tai Chi 0 Fight Clip
Jackie Gets Ready for Police Story 2013
More Media on Upcoming Films (Updated)
Tai Chi Hero Posters and Another Man with the Iron Fists Trailer
Also, here are the two other character trailers for Man with the Iron Fists!
Sorry for the mass of media, hope you guys enjoy!
The news keeps coming in this week with some new posters for Tai Chi Hero. The first film in the trilogy will be shown in select theaters in the US, and it’s apparent that the sequel will be coming out as well.
I’ve heard mixed things about Tai Chi 0, and I’m still debating whether I’ll be heading to the theater to review it.
As I figured, there was a new character trailer for Man with the Iron Fists. This one focuses on Brass Body, but it really doesn’t show anything new.
Judging by this pattern, I’m guessing that we can expect the RZA’s trailer to come out later today or tomorrow. I’ll post it for you when it does come out.
