The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk
Directed by: Corey Yuen Starring: Jet Li, Sibelle Hu, Michelle Reis, Man Cheuk Chu, Josephine Siao Synopsis: Renowned fighter Fong Sai Yuk (Li) keeps getting into trouble, as does his mother (Siao), much to Sai-Yuk’s father’s chagrin. Fong’s latest exploit has been coming to the aid of Ting Ting, a young woman who unbeknownst to him is the daughter of retired bandit leader Tiger Liu who has set up home in Canton. In order to ingratiate himself with the locals, Tiger Liu is holding a martial arts competition - whoever can defeat his wife by knocking her off a specially constructed tower shall marry Ting Ting. Fong enters the completion purely to defend the name of canton martial arts, and doesn’t realise that Liu’s daughter is Ting Ting. Meanwhile, the local Governor is hunting down members of the Red Lotus Society at the behest of the Emperor, who is plagued by nightmares that they will be his undoing... Review:Fong Sai Yuk is typical of the quality of films that Jet Li was making outside of Tsui Hark’s Once Upon a Time series – very entertaining and buoyed by a real keen sense of humour, which peters out towards the big climax, replaced by a sense of patriotism and pathos.The bulk of Fong Sai Yuk resembles a Shakespearian comedy: Fong enters the martial arts competition because his friends have convinced him the pride and honour of Canton is at stake. He’s all set to win the competition – a long, intricate match involving the two participants trying to avoid touching the floor – when he mistakes the homely maid for his prize, and loses on purpose. When Fong’s mother hears of this, she disguises herself as a man (Fong’s “elder brother”) and defeats Tiger’s wife, but in the process wins her heart too! This sets up a whole raft of farcical scenarios, but once the Governor arrives, the laughter stops dead. 
Jet Li is on fine form here, able to let loose and relax in the role, as opposed to the stoical figure he portrays in the Once Upon a Time in China films. He is able matched though by Josephine Siao who plays his mother, the two making a great double-act. Fong Sai Yuk is directed by Corey Yuen, who also choreographed a lot of the action. As many will know, Corey has enjoyed reasonable success in the West, directing the Transporter movies among others. However, fans of his western output owe it to themselves to see what he could do with the right performers and some creative freedom. 
Fong Sai Yuk has been the centre of a lot of controversy over the years, due to the fact that it has never been available uncut. Cine Asia’s release is unfortunately the same print as that put out by Dimension a few years back, albeit in it’s correct ratio and with original Cantonese soundtrack. Verdict: Whilst not as slick nor as big budget as some of his other films of the early 90’s, Jet Li excels as usual in Fong Sai Yuk. The action is imaginative and frenetic, the drama works when it kicks in and the humour is broad and genuinely amusing. 7 Out of 10 (MikeOutWest) New! CommentsHave your say about this! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
