We left Donnie Yen facing Keanu Reeves in John Wick 4. Here he is again as an actor and director of Sakra, the legend of the demigods. At almost 60 years old, the action movie star is still impressive when it comes to do battle with warriors armed to the teeth. It is in tenth-century China that he portrays himself as an intrepid hero, the victim of calumnies that could cost him his life during a fratricidal war.
After several times reviving kung-fu master Ip Man, who was Bruce Lee’s mentor, the actor tackles a big name in Chinese legends, Qiao Feng, a demigod whose achievements are ideal for put forward his science of fights and spectacular stagings defying the laws of gravity. He returns with talent to wu xia piana saber film so exhilarating that it makes you want to shout “again” at each confrontation.
Magic on the big screen
“I have identified certain elements that can feel modern while retaining the history and tradition of the genre,” says Donnie Yen in the press kit. This is the charm of his film with a script that is sometimes a bit confusing but with absolutely breathtaking action scenes. King Hu (Touch of ZenTsui Hark (The Legend of the Heavenly Kings) and, to a lesser extent, Ang Lee (tiger and dragon) had given him his letters of nobility. Seeing the hero jump from roof to roof or hurt dozens of opponents by literally flying through the air allows you to rediscover the magic of this delightful cinema.
This luxurious entertainment will delight fans of wu xia pian and offers a great introduction to those who do not yet know the genre. It’s a delight.