Jet Li-Fearless (2006)

"...the film's virtue lies in its straight-ahead narrative and uncomplicated morality.  Chris Kaltenbach, Baltimore Sun
"Li's performance is stronger here than it has been in previous films.  Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
"There's something grand and enveloping about Fearless.  Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
"Call it "Jet Li's Wushu Retirement Party."  Leighton Klein, Boston Globe
"The final scenes pack a surprising melodramatic punch.  Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide
"One of those corny, lusciously mounted, almost predictably thrill-packed action movies you can't help but like.  Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
"...sustains the tradition of ethically inflected Chinese action movies.  Nathan Lee, The New York Times

Editor's Note Director Ronny Yu (FREDDY VS. JASON) tells the story of Chinese hero Huo Yianjia in JET LI'S FEARLESS. Born in the late 1800s to a martial-arts master in the Tianjin region of China, Huo Yianjia (Jet Li) is not allowed to train at his father's school because he has asthma. Later, as an adult, the self-taught Yianjia becomes a master in his own right with his own school and disciples. His only goal: to become the Champion of Tianjin--and he is willing to fight any and every challenger. Along the way, Yianjia's pride takes over and he becomes obsessed with both praise and revenge, missing the true purpose and message of the martial arts. When his quest for revenge results in tragedy, Yianjia embarks on a new journey, leaving Tianjin. Returning to his home years later, Yianjia is a new man, understanding the connection between body, mind, and soul. Instead of fighting for personal gain, he sees the importance of maintaining the national identity and pride of the Chinese people. Focusing on the importance of good sportsmanship and unity, Yianjia starts the Jingwu Sports Federation, bringing all the schools of martial arts together. Most important, he makes history in Shanghai in 1910 by defending the honor of the Chinese people in a contest against representatives from the four major foreign powers in China. Based on a true story, the film features detailed period settings and costumes, as well as superior stunts. Jet Li evokes a wide range of emotions as Yianjia, instilling the character with life and capturing the essence of this important chapter in Chinese history. Dong Yong stars as Yianjia's loyal friend, Nong Jinsun, and Sun Li plays Moon, a young woman who befriends Yianjia when he leaves Tianjin. This film is in Chinese with English subtitles.

	Betty Sun
	Jet Li
	Nathan Jones
	Shido Nakamura
	Chris Chow - Writer
	Christine To - Writer
	Hang-Sang Poon - Cinematographer
	Jet Li, et. al. - Producer
	Richard Learoyd - Editor
	Ronny Yu - Director
	Shigeru Umebayashi - Original Music By
	Virginia Katz - Editor

Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- [A] lavish chronicle with enough mayhem to sate the most ardent chopsocky fan." 06/01/2006 p.44

Sight and Sound
"[I]t's Yu's visual flourishes that enable the movie to take flight....With a rich palette of period detail, taking in colourful townscapes and lush rural vignettes." 08/01/2006 p.74

New York Times
"FEARLESS sustains the tradition of ethically inflected Chinese action movies. Physical kinesis is inseparable from spiritual dynamism..." 09/22/2006 p.E8

Rolling Stone
3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Li is simply the most compelling kung-fu hero since a guy named Bruce Lee donned a yellow tracksuit." 01/25/2007 p.82

Variety 7 of 10
Already ballyhooed as Jet Li's final picture featuring traditional Chinese martial arts (wushu), "Fearless" is a rather conventional costume biopic that still manages to pack a satisfying emotional punch by its final reel. A sizable hit since late January in East Asia, where it outgrossed such titles as "Crouching Tiger," "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers" in its opening frame, pic is likely to face a harder battle in the West due to its paucity of really eye-popping action...Yet its almost old-fashioned, low-tech qualities (only a modicum of wire-fu and no flashy visual f/x), married to ultra-smooth production values, give the pic a refreshing sincerity compared with most of today's cynical, CGI-heavy actioners, both East and West...Though Li (now 42) looks far too old in the early scenes, he brings a quiet dignity to the latter half of the pic that's matched by Sun in the (basically cliched but surprisingly effective) Southeast Asian idyll and by Dong, who almost steals the movie as Huo's one-time best friend...Fight choreography by vet Yuen Woo-ping is satisfying without being jaw-dropping and follows the retro trend pioneered by Tony Jaa in "Ong Bak" and "Tom-Yum-Goong." Tech package is highly confident and detailed, especially art director Kenneth Mak's burnished sets. - Derek Elley

Reel.com 9 of 10
Jet Li claims that his latest picture, Fearless, marks his retirement as the star of action-packed, martial arts films. If indeed that is the case, then the 43-year-old actor-athlete is leaving the stage on a high note in this historical drama that boasts a story which captivates, even as its many action sequences excite...The film reunites Li with fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping. It's their eighth collaboration--their collection of movies includes Tai Chi Master, Fist of Legend, Once Upon a Time in China (and its first sequel), and Unleashed. The action master, probably best known in the West for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix, and both Kill Bills, does not disappoint here...Li is fabulous in the role. Sure, much of it depends on his athletic prowess, and in early middle age, he appears as graceful and strong as ever. But there is more to Huo than simple ability: His personality undergoes a severe readjustment. The vain, boastful, thoughtless warrior undergoes personal trials that break his heart and his spirit, but he emerges a thoughtful, sensitive man of unshakeable integrity. It's a range of emotions and behaviors that requires a talented actor, and Li acquits himself beautifully...He may be serious about this retirement nonsense...And yet one hopes this is not the case. Fearless represents such an apex that it leaves one wanting more of the same--much more. - Pam Grady