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Program your own Jet Li double-feature of “The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2” at home anytime, thanks to Ronin Flix.

By justin waldman on March 9, 2023 • ( 0 )

Genre films are the only films that I personally will give a pass to if there isn’t a story but they succeed in the genre basis of what they’re striving for. An example of this is the SAW franchise and Hostel, for instance, which, storyline-wise, are not good movies — at all; they’re torture porn genre flicks that absolutely torment audiences with gross-out visuals and create these tense worlds that audiences fall into. Now, that is not to say these movies don’t serve a purpose or that genre films lack story, because that is simply not true. However, I am more forgiving to a genre film that lacks story but sheerly delivers on genre than I am a regular film that lacks story and delivers nothing. That is where, in my opinion The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2 fall into. They’re an incredible showcase for mixed martial arts and Jet Li, specifically, but the story is secondary to showing off the showcase of skill that exists.

The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2 are two separate movies that could almost be two entirely different movies that aren’t part of the same universe. The movies use the overarching character of Fong Sai Yuk, played by Jet Li, as a vehicle solely to show off his martial arts skills. Whether winning the hand of a powerful man’s daughter, or fighting a political uproar, he is put to the test to ensure he can achieve what he has set out to do. While the sequel isn’t focused on our titular character using his skills to win the hand, and heart, of a woman who doesn’t seem to have a choice in the matter, it does see him get involved in The Red Flower, which is a secret society who wants to bring the Ming Dynasty back to power over the Manchurian emperor.

Whether the stoic and nearly random dialog was due to a poorly done translation or was the original writing, this is a genre film and audiences are presumably coming to this duo of films expecting mixed martial arts. There is no doubt, at all, that this delivers fully on that front. The mixed martial arts are simply sublime and jaw-dropping in how incredible they are. There are so many fights and memorable moments in both movies, but nothing stands out more than a fully choreographed fight that takes place on peoples’ heads. It is a spectacle that is so unbelievable, I had to rewind and watch it three separate times because of how jaw-dropping and impressive this singular scene was. It truly was something unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a movie before.

With this home release from MVD, there are a few very important things to note. First off, this is the very first time that The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 2 is available on Blu-ray in North America, and it is only coming as a part of this Jet Li double feature. While it is a little disappointing that that the only feature on 2 is the theatrical trailer, the first installment has one new feature which is an audio commentary with Chris Poggiali (it also has the theatrical trailer, a feature called “Hit Hard & Fly High: An Exclusive Interview with Director and Legendary Hollywood Fight Choreographer Corey Yeun,” and “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword: An Exclusive Interview with Jeff Lau” from previous release(s)). The transfers are certainly lacking in the quality field. Especially considering we have these gorgeous 4K transfers of much older films that are absolutely stunning, even Blu-ray releases of older films that are absolutely stunning in their transfers, The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2 look to be upconverted DVDs from 1993. However, it is almost fitting for a mixed martial arts movie from one of the very best to ever do it.

The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 1&2 Features*:

Custom Slipcover
Theatrical Trailers
High Definition Blu-ray 1080p Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) [Both Films]
NEW Audio Commentary from the author of These Fists Break Bricks, Chris Poggiali [The Legend Only]
NEW Cantonese Mono and English Stereo lossless DTS-HD Master Audio [Both Films]
The Pen is Mightier than the Sword: An Exclusive Interview with Writer Jeff Lau *
Hit Hard & Fly High: An Exclusive Interview with Director & Legendary Hollywood Fight Choreographer Corey Yuen *
English Subtitles translated from the English Dubbed version of the film [Both Films]
Spanish Subtitles translated from the English Dubbed version of the film [The Legend Only]
English Subtitles translated from the Original Language Version of the Film [The Legend Only]