Iron Monkey (1993)

Iron Monkey: Directed by Woo-Ping Yuen. With Rongguang Yu, Donnie Yen, Jean Wang, Sze-Man Tsang. A martial artist/doctor steals from the corrupt authorities as a masked thief to give to the poor while another martial artist/doctor is forced to hunt him down. But a major threat unites them as a powerful and traitorous shaolin monk takes over the authorities.

“Note that this movieu0026#39;s subtitle is u0026quot;The Young Wong Fei-Hong.u0026quot; u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis isnu0026#39;t so much a movie about a Chinese Robin Hood/Zorro figure, or a strict martial arts hero – itu0026#39;s a movie about a young boy and the people who influence who he will become. Itu0026#39;s poignant in parts – such as when Fei Hong tries to grab his fatheru0026#39;s hand and is scolded for it – and hilarious in others – u0026quot;My kung-fu is pretty good!u0026quot; exclaims a surprised Fei Hong in one scene.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhile much of the movie is focused on the concerns of the adults around him, Fei Hong is also the audienceu0026#39;s conduit to the subtle messages of the movie as a whole. Itu0026#39;s not all about kick-ass fight scenes – thatu0026#39;s just how they keep our attention. The world portrayed in IRON MONKEY admires intellect and wit as much as martial arts ability. Woven into the whole is a lesson in honor, the balance between discipline and recklessness, and the need for affection and love.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFans of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON will love this movie because of one simple fact – the plot is linear, with short flashback sequences as needed, and despite its intricacy, itu0026#39;s not too involved. CTHD would be like riding in a Rolls-Royce: beautiful to look at, enjoyable to drive; but IRON MONKEY is like a Porche, fast, sleek and dangerous. CTHD may be visually superior as far as cinematography goes – and in a lot of ways, it is – but IRON MONKEY moves along in ways that CTHD does not. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAlso look for Tsang Sze Man, who had the potential to be what Haley Joel Osment is here in America. Pity Man didnu0026#39;t do any more martial arts films. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFilm fans must see this movie; kung fu fans probably should see this movie. But if subtitles scare you (the dubbed version isnu0026#39;t quite as good) and guys in robes and braids are u0026quot;gay,u0026quot; keep away. Go rent DUMB AND DUMBER or something.”