Li, Jet - DVD

Hero

Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $14.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: LI,JET - Model: 786936259223 Amazon Marketplace: 134 new & used starting at $1.91

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 309 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A rainbow-hued Rashomon 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Zhang Yimou's "Hero" is probably one of the most visually beautiful and exquisitely filmed movies I have seen in many a year. Set in the third century BC during the unification of the seven kingdoms under the first Chinese emperor, the film stars Jet Li as a literally Nameless warrior who has supposedly vanquished the emperor's most fearsome enemies: Sky, played by Donnie Yen, Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk), and the previously undefeatable Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu-wai).

Nameless is escorted into the divine presence as a hero, but after hearing his account of how he defeated these three foes, the emperor isn't buying any of it; he suspects Nameless fabricated the whole thing only to get within striking distance (ten paces) of the emperor himself in order to carry out an assassination plot. The story then divides itself into a Rashomon-like re-telling from various POVs, each one photographed with strikingly vivid color shifts -- a vibrant red, a pale blue, a pristine white, and a delicate, pale green. And then we see Reality, photographed against a background of lifeless desert mesas which seems to emphasize the futility of it all.

The most compelling characters in the film are Snow and Broken Sword -- she's a single-minded woman warrior with a take-no-prisoners mentality, and Broken Sword, her lover, is a warrior who has fought one fight too many and no longer believes that the sword is the only option to resolving conflicts. But Snow, like the true believer she is, loves her principles more than him, and the resulting confrontation between them is as inevitable as it is tragic.

The acting is excellent all around. Jet Li is an appealing and likeable hero (or is he an anti-hero?), and Tony Leung gives a totally convincing performance as Broken Sword. The cast is rounded out by the exquisitely beautiful Zhang Ziyi as Broken Sword's servant Moon, in love with her master and faithful to the end, and Chen Dao Ming as the emperor of Chin.

There are going to be endless comparisons between "Hero" and "Crouching Tiger", Ang Lee's masterpiece. Visually, "Hero" can hold its own against "Crouching Tiger" any day in the week. And yet, somehow, it doesn't grab you emotionally in the way "Crouching Tiger" does. "Hero" is gorgeous to look at and maybe that's its problem, it's so eye-popping to watch that the story doesn't measure up to its pure visual impact. Zhang doesn't do a "Rashomon" tale as brilliantly as the late, great Akira Kurosawa, and in this film he doesn't grip us as totally as Ang Lee, but he's delivered a movie that, at least to watch, is eminently satisfying.

Judy Lind

Editorial Review:

Set in China's past, before the first emperor, the film tells the story of a town magistrate who is summoned by the king of Qin to tell the story of how he defeated those who plotted to kill him.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 2-AUG-2005
Media Type: DVD

The Forbidden Kingdom (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)

Amazon Price: $22.99 List Price: $34.98 Not yet released By: Lions Gate

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Getting martial-arts superstars Jet Li and Jackie Chan together in the same action film is like a fantasy come true, even if The Forbidden Kingdom is more of a children's movie than an instant kung-fu classic. Yes, Li and Chan square off in a lengthy, acrobatic fight scene that is a lot of fun, though it can't be what such a scene might have been even a decade ago: careful editing now compensates for the 54-year-old Chan's slower moves and reflexes. Still, Chan doesn't disappoint as Lu Yan, a drunken immortal in ancient China who mentors a modern-day American kid, Jason (Michael Angarano), the latter having slipped into the past while in possession of a magical staff that belongs to the imprisoned Monkey King (Li). In order to get back to his own time and help an old friend (also Chan) wounded by thugs, Jason accompanies Lu Yan and a lovely warrior, Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), on a journey to return the staff. Along the way, a (mostly) silent monk (Li, again), who has spent his life in search of the staff, joins their mission. He helps Lu Yan train Jason in fighting and adding more muscle to the party as it comes under siege from a violent witch (Li Bing Bing) and pathological warlord (Collin Chou). Screenwriter John Fusco (Hidalgo) and director Rob Minkoff (The Haunted Mansion) have made a slightly chintzy, Western version of a Chinese swords-and-sorcery tale. The gravity-defying, flying-through-the-air-while-fighting choreography looks pretty choppy and graceless compared to, say, the martial arts films of Zhang Yimou. But The Forbidden Kingdom is really aimed at kids, not aficionados of epic fight movies. On that score, the movie aims to please and does so for the right audience. --Tom Keogh

War (Widescreen Edition)

Amazon Price: $13.49 List Price: $19.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: LION'S GATE ENTERTAINMENT - Model: 22180 Amazon Marketplace: 228 new & used starting at $2.75

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 68 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

3 for action 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Jason Statham is the modern day action hero. Watching films like Crank and Transporter brings you back to the good old days when you had a bunch of big budget action films every year by Stallone, Arnold, Seagal, Jean Claude and a host of pretenders. This film however is not very good. The action is hot and heavy throughout, and if you like high body counts, you might find some enjoyment. The story is not that great, the acting is bad(which is surprising since Li is good and Statham is decent enough. The gun play aspect of the movie is good, but the martial arts scenes are really very poor. Again it is surprising since Jet is such a great film martial artists. What sealed the deal is the really terrible ending. This is a rental at best for action junkies.

Editorial Review:

After his partner is brutally murdered by the infamous assassin Rogue (Jet Li) FBI agent Jack Crawford (Jason Statham) vows to find the elusive killer and personally avenge his partner's death. But Crawford's thirst for vengeance jeopardizes his professional judgment and as the violence escalates he finds himself in the middle of a conflict between two rival Asian gangs. Now nothing is quite what it seems and he must be prepared for WAR! System Requirements:Run time: 99 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLERS Rating: R UPC: 031398221807 Manufacturer No: 22180

Jet Li's Fearless (Unrated Director´s Cut)

Amazon Price: $12.99 List Price: $19.98 In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. By: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN. - Model: 62103768 Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $7.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

How to Fix the Problem with the Directors Cut... 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Don't miss out on a great movie because of Universal Studios mistake!

It has been confirmed that JET LI'S FEARLESS: DIRECTOR'S CUT, Universal's highly anticipated re-release of Ronny Yu's Huo Yuanjia biopic promising nearly 40 minutes of additional footage is missing the director's cut. Released July 8th, it promised three versions of the movie, one of which was supposed to be the complete two hour and 21 minute director's cut. However, upon inspecting the two-disc release purchased from Walmart today both discs contain only 103-minute international and theatrical versions. Other readers have been e-mailing and posting messages on this site stating the same problem which suggests this defect is widespread.


Additionally, both discs appear to function erratically in my player. Disc two displays nothing but pixels and disc one periodically will not start up. I was only able to confirm the contents of disc two by using a disc burning tool. Both discs appear to be identical and the director's cut is no where to be found despite what the back cover clearly states.

Universal was unavailable for comment at the time of writing and an e-mail sent Thursday has so far gone unanswered.

At this point I would suggest that anyone who is considering buying this release to not do so until Universal releases corrected discs and issues a statement, preferably along with a recall.

For those who have already purchased the defective FEARLESS discs and are unable to return them to the store, try contacting Universal direct during normal, weekday business hours. You may also want to notify your local retailer.

Universal Home Entertainment
Phone: 818-777-1000
E-mail: http://www.universalstudios.com/contact_form.php?email_id=10

!!Attention!! !!Attention!! !!Attention!! !!Attention!!
Universal Studios Writes:
Thank you for contacting Universal Studios Home Entertainment. We strive to provide the highest standard in product quality and customer care.

Please let us know your shipping address and daytime telephone number, and we will send you a postage paid envelope in which to return your "Jet Li's Fearless Director's Cut" disc #1 for replacement. In the envelope, please send the original disc #1 only, along with a copy of this correspondence.

Please allow 1 - 4 weeks to receive your replacement.

We appreciate your patronage and hope that you will continue to enjoy this and future Universal releases.

Sincerely,

Consumer Relations
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Editorial Review:

JET LI'S FINAL MARTIAL ARTS PERFORMANCEIS THE ULTIMATE ACTION-ADVENTURE!Jet Li plays a renowned martial arts champion on a difficult path to redemption that brings him face-to-face with the most ferocious fighters in the world.From the Producers of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Hero!And the Choreographer of The Matrix Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon!System Requirements:Running Time: 141 minutes Language: Mandarin Subtitles: EnglishFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/MARTIAL ARTS UPC: 025195029544 Manufacturer No: 62103768

The Forbidden Kingdom

Amazon Price: $17.99 List Price: $29.95 Not yet released By: Lions Gate

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Getting martial-arts superstars Jet Li and Jackie Chan together in the same action film is like a fantasy come true, even if The Forbidden Kingdom is more of a children's movie than an instant kung-fu classic. Yes, Li and Chan square off in a lengthy, acrobatic fight scene that is a lot of fun, though it can't be what such a scene might have been even a decade ago: careful editing now compensates for the 54-year-old Chan's slower moves and reflexes. Still, Chan doesn't disappoint as Lu Yan, a drunken immortal in ancient China who mentors a modern-day American kid, Jason (Michael Angarano), the latter having slipped into the past while in possession of a magical staff that belongs to the imprisoned Monkey King (Li). In order to get back to his own time and help an old friend (also Chan) wounded by thugs, Jason accompanies Lu Yan and a lovely warrior, Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), on a journey to return the staff. Along the way, a (mostly) silent monk (Li, again), who has spent his life in search of the staff, joins their mission. He helps Lu Yan train Jason in fighting and adding more muscle to the party as it comes under siege from a violent witch (Li Bing Bing) and pathological warlord (Collin Chou). Screenwriter John Fusco (Hidalgo) and director Rob Minkoff (The Haunted Mansion) have made a slightly chintzy, Western version of a Chinese swords-and-sorcery tale. The gravity-defying, flying-through-the-air-while-fighting choreography looks pretty choppy and graceless compared to, say, the martial arts films of Zhang Yimou. But The Forbidden Kingdom is really aimed at kids, not aficionados of epic fight movies. On that score, the movie aims to please and does so for the right audience. --Tom Keogh

Jet Li's Fearless (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

Amazon Price: $14.99 List Price: $19.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN. - Model: 62031683 Amazon Marketplace: 118 new & used starting at $2.47

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 112 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Bad Previews 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I love Jet Li's Fearless. It is a fantastic movie. However, when they released it to DVD they seem to have felt to insult us as consumers by forcing us to sit through the sexual raunchiness of an American Pie preview.

Jet Li's Fearless was a PG-13 action/drama film. American Pie is an R-rated film with strong sexual content. What makes Universal think that their PG-13 action/drama consumers want to be forced to sit through a raunchy sexual preview for an R-rated film?

It's absolutely gross and unacceptable.

Editorial Review:

Inspired by the true story of a real-life hero Fearless is a thrilling masterpiece from action superstar Jet Li. When an ill-advised fight destroys the reputation of a renowned martial arts champion (Li) and his family his difficult path to redemption will bring him face-to-face with the most ferocious fighters in the world. Orchestrated by Yuen Wo Ping the legendary choreographer of The Matrix and Kill Bill this sensational riveting epic is being described as "astounding" and "visually stunning with brilliantly executed fight sequences" (Pete Hammond Maxim).System Requirements:Run Time: 103 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SPORTS/GAMES/MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 025193168320 Manufacturer No: 62031683

Fist of Legend

Amazon Price: List Price: $9.99 By: Dimension Films Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $6.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 299 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

some of the best fights ever 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This movie contains two of my favorite fights of all time: Jet Li vs. Chin Siu Ho, and Chin Siu Ho and company vs. a buttload of Japanese fighters. Just astonishing. The film is a remake of Bruce Lee's "Chinese Connection" about Chen Zhen, the fictitious student of the real Huo Yuan Jia, who Jet Li would later portray in "Fearless". This movie differs from Lee's in that some of the Japanese characters are sympathetic to the Chinese, plus the addition of a complicated romance and the school's internal conflict.

The Japanese have set up shop in mainland China. Jet is studying in Japan when he learns of his master's death back in Shanghai from a match with the master of a rival Japanese school. He comes home and immediately sets about getting his school's reputation back and letting the Japanese know who the best really is. The trouble is that Master Huo's son (Chin Siu Ho) is now in charge but everyone wants to follow and learn from Chen Zhen. Complicating things further is a plot to implicate Chen in the death of the instructor who killed his master, and a Japanese woman who is in love with Chen and testifies on his behalf.

This may be Yuen Woo Ping's best choreography, though it is not completely flawless. Too often props and furniture is broken rather ridiculously, and some scenes are a little too heavily edited. It's a minor complaint though and you won't care until you're on about the 22nd or 23rd viewing. If you don't already own it, BUY THIS. 4.5

Editorial Review:

International superstar Jet Li (LETHAL WEAPON 4, BLACK MASK) explodes on the screen in this thrilling martial arts action story about courage, honor ... and revenge! When Chen (Li) discovers that his beloved teacher and mentor has been murdered, he swears to avenge his death! Then, with an unwavering commitment to vengeance, Chen puts everything on the line to settle the score! The must-see modern remake of a Bruce Lee classic, FIST OF LEGEND packs hard-hitting excitement and incredible hand-to-hand combat into one unstoppable adrenaline rush!

Tai Chi Master

Amazon Price: $13.99 List Price: $19.98 Not yet released By: WELLSPRING/GENIUS - Model: 81344

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Of fighting like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon; no wonder - it's the same action director! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Anybody who's anybody will watch this movie. After discovering it in my grandpa's collection of Chinese movies, I've watched this many times. Kungfu from the Shaolin temple is amazing, but best of all when you have Jet Li perform it.

Jet Li and his friend grow up in the temple together, inseparable. But when they get kicked out, they go opposite ways and become enemies. Jet Li leads a rebellion agianst the harsh government of which his friend is cruelly abusing his status as lieutenant. Betrayals or sorts leads Jet Li to found, after meditation, Tai Chi, and a final battle is held with breath-taking fighting scenes.

A light-hearted comedy at times or serious action at others, the Tai Chi Master is truly master of fighting in the movie industry.

One of Jet Li's best... but the question is, "What @ the Transfer?" 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This really isn't a review (though the martial arts choreography in the film is pretty fanciful, it's still pretty solid). What I'd like to know is whether or not the featured film in this new edition has been is remastered. I have an earlier Hong Kong edition - however the transfer was mediocre at best. I'd preorder this edition, but I need to know: has Yuen Woo Ping's "Tai Chi Master" been remastered... or is this yet another edition of same lackluster transfer marketed in Hong Kong?

Please advise....

Editorial Review:

TAI CHI MASTER (DVD MOVIE)

Lethal Weapon 4

Amazon Price: $6.49 List Price: $14.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Warner Home Video - Model: D16075D Amazon Marketplace: 170 new & used starting at $0.87

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 202 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

jet li's american introduction - and it's as a villain 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'll be honest that it was Jet Li that made me want to see this movie, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it ever since. While I have not seen the first 3 Lethal Weapons (yet) I had no problem understanding this 4th (and hopefully not last) film. It's obvious there is a serious connection between the Riggs and Murtaugh charcaters, and both Mel Gibson and Danny Glover have fluid chemistry together with these roles. Joe Pesci adds his usual humor, and Chris Rock was a nice addition with the humor in this film as well. But it was Jet Li that stood out the most for me - not bad for a villain who barely stands 5'5" or so.

Letahl Weapon 4 begins loud and stays in high gear till the end. Whether it is the constant humor, fun character relations, or surprsingly entertaining martial arts action, I just never got bored. Its not the funniest movie I have ever seen and it doesn't have the best action, but its one of the better films I have seen with a great mix of everything.

As mentioned, this is Jet Li's first American film and it's no wonder he has become a success since. Its funny to see how the camera is used in such angles at times to make Li appear a little taller, but a few times you can see just how short he is compared to everyone else. Not that it really matters, just one look into his eyes and you can see the villain shine. He adds great martial arts action to the film, but I liked how the fights stayed real for the most part. There are no long fight scenes, but even Li gets beat up a little by Riggs and Murtaugh (though he fought both of them at once).

Even if you have not seen the other Lethal Weapon movies like myself, I think you will enjoy this just fine. This is a great buddy film, but probably just about anyone will enjoy it with a little mix of everything.

Editorial Review:

This sequel involves an action packed battle with a Chinese ganglord.

The One (Special Edition)

Amazon Price: $10.99 List Price: $14.94 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Sony - Model: 06392 Amazon Marketplace: 164 new & used starting at $0.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 157 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Farcical fantasy 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Jet Li possesses incredible martial art skills but outside of being a vehicle to demonstrate his prowess, "The One" is a ridiculous action fantasy. Besides some decent special effects and a good musical score. the film has few redeeming qualities.

The premise of the movie is that there are multiple parallel universes called multiverses. Travel is prohibited between them and is policed by an authority called the MVA. Li, a former MVA agent Gabriel Yulaw killed another version of himself on a different universe, in the line of duty and discovered an increase in his strength. He then proceeded to destroy an additional 122 versions of himself in other universes, each time increasing his strength, with the goal of becoming the supreme being ("the one").

The last survivng version of Li is Los Angeles sheriff's deputy, Gabe Law, who also has become more powerful. Yulaw travels to L.A. to eliminate the last version of himself, a formidible adversary. He is being pursued by MVA agents played by Delroy Lindo and Jason Stratham who are commissioned to stop him. It is postulated that the destruction of deputy Law will upset the workings of the universe or make Yulaw totally invulnerable.

Editorial Review:

In a stunning dual role international action star Jet Li portrays Gabriel Yulaw a police officer confronted with a sinister duplicate of himself. This evil double is an escapee from an advanced parallel universe with a mission to kill Gabriel. His alter ego's hunt culminates in a fateful battle between good and evil that changes Gabriel's perception of reality and forces him to examine the evil hidden within him.System Requirements:Starring: Jet Li Carla Gugino Delroy Lindo and Jason Statham. Directed By: James Wong. Running Time: 87 Min. Color. This film is presented in "Widescreen" format. Copyright 2002 Columbia TriStar.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: PG-13 UPC: 043396063921 Manufacturer No: 06392