Legend of the Red Dragon

Amazon.com

A distraught warrior (the charismatic Jet Li) forces his toddler son to choose between a sword and a wooden horse. If he chooses the sword, together they will fight the corrupt government that killed their family; if he chooses the horse, the warrior will send him to join his mother--in hell. Thus begins The New Legend of Shaolin, a wild Hong Kong fantasy. Though the opening sounds grim, the movie shifts ahead seven years and becomes increasingly comic as its plot unfolds. The story centers around a map tattooed on the backs of five boys; it leads to treasure from the Ming dynasty that a heroic sect hopes to use to reestablish the Shaolin temple, which the government destroyed. Meanwhile, Li is forced by poverty to become the bodyguard of a blowhard merchant, who doesn't realize that his bride-to-be is part of a mother-daughter team of notorious thieves. Meanwhile, a villain deformed by a poison that gives him invincible powers is hunting down the five boys, one of whom is the merchant's son... As is usually the case with Hong Kong cinema, the filmmakers have crammed in enough stuff to fill several ordinary movies. The exaggerated stoic conversations between Li and his 7-year-old son, both of them stone-faced and painfully serious, are extremely funny, as are the bizarre bits when the bride's mother masquerades as a ghost. And on top of all this are at least seven spectacular action sequences that are both comic and exciting. A prime example of the unique joys of Hong Kong pop culture. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Fun film, poor release........2007-01-18

This is a fun film and one of the few from the period where Jet just seems to have some fun and go off. But this is a pretty sorry release for it. So Tai Seng is releasing widescreen laser disc masters again? Niiicccee. Wait for a better release. At least that one might not have a Ric Meyers commentary on there. If there's a sure sign of a lack of care from a company releasing kung fu films, it's Meyers' name anywhere on the product.

2.5/5-another weird Jing Wong movie with Jet Li.......2007-01-02

The only collaberation between Jing Wong and Jet Li that I thought was great was 'Claws of Steel' AKA 'Last Hero In China'. The other 3 movies were not a complete waste though. The only 3 reasons I can think of why he would ever work with Jing is Woo Ping, Corey Yuen, and Sammo Hung. And Corey Yuen really goes over the top with this one but there are a few fights worth seeing. Jet Li plays a stone-faced character and he does it so well. He looks as serious as he can be and it definately goes hand in hand with the way that he can do such a quick action movement and then just be so still afterwords. His awesome performance is so out of place in a Jing Wong movie it is sad to see but still worth a watch.

Now when watching a Jing Wong movie expect a lot of things to not make sense, expect not to see any action for a couple of long periods of time, but expect it to have energy and that drive it needs to keep going. Right away comes a scene played out from 'Lone Wolf and Cub' with Jet being serious like Ogami Ito and Jet's infant son decides to pick the sword and live on the run rather than pick the ball and go to heaven. Even in a scene like this that should be great he has to change it from LW&C and make it so Jet guides the boy to the ball. The first action sequence of the movie is by far the best. In a Jing Wong movie you know that you will have a super low budget and filming will last 2 weeks max(seriously), so that means Corey Yuen has to do as much as he can with limited everything. Luckily he has Jet and his son in the movie Xie Mao who you can also see with Jet in 'My Father Is a Hero'. Xie Mao has AWESOME skills, or at least did and since there are not a lot of great kid screen fighters, he gives the film a bit of a unique feeling.

So the movie starts out with Jet's Shaolin brother(Gai Chun-wa) betraying him and the best fight of the movie comes first sadly. Gai Chun-wa from Jet Li's Shaolin Temple movies and 'Fong Sai Yuk 2' is as good of a villian you will ever find. His Wolverine claws are freaking sweet and even when Jing Wong puts a bunch of stupid makeup on him and makes him a monster, you still can't cover up his intensity. Now again, since this is a Jing Wong movie and you get a bunch of mindless plots that come and go. The mother and daughter as thieves work best only because Chingmy Yau is good in her role and Deannie Yip is such a wonderful actress. I wouldn't recommend this if you are not a Jing Wong fan but if you are then you will love all butt in the face jokes and such.

There is actually a recent commentary on this disc so Tai Seng must have re-released it again since I just recently bought this movie. I hadn't seen it in a long time and last time I saw it was the Sony Pictures version which is cut and English dubbed. Tai Seng has the original audio on here though they didn't put on an English track and it is in it's original 16:9 screen format. The commentary is from Ric Myers, Frank Jane, and some guy who I think they said is the presodent of Marvel Comic movies. The commentary is not bad but they should have at least talked more about what is going on with martial arts movies today. I haven't heard many Tai Seng commentaries in the past few years and it just could have been much better. Frank Jane of course gives you the most info just like all the commentaries but he only says a few words here and there as Ric rambles on throughout. I don't like to rate commentaries but this was slightly above average.

Run of the Mill mid-80's Kung fu Romance.......2006-08-08

This is not a bad flick and there are 2 or 3 fight scenes worth watching again - but Jet Li's stoic performance is overshadowed by unrealistic wire stunts and silly gimics. Surprisingly, I was not annoyed by the young kung fu kid in this one (I'm almost always annoyed by these "cutsey" kid kung fu interludes)... it was actually rather amusing - but (yes another but), the villian just wasn't good enough, and that's always a downer. The villian rides around in some metalic shiney future mobile that is so dumb it surpasses absurd insanity and falls into the "what the hell was this movie about anyways."? Still can't figure out what the director was thinking.

new legend of shaolin.......2006-03-01

offers enough novel action and cute humor to satisfy. For us guys, the female thief is cute, sexy, funny. Standout scene for me is when Jet, as a bodyguard, is courted by her when she tries to measure him up for some badly needed new clothing. The kid also deserves mention: evidently this kid is the real deal and his fight with other kids is a somewhat rare sight. Fight scenes are more stylised than actual but they are choreographed with style. Toward the end there is a big surprise when the vile baddie shows up. He is really different and nasty as hell. You won't believe what he has and Jet has a real challenge to beat him. Overall, should please anyone who likes the feudal period.

ORIGINAL IS BETTER~!.......2006-02-05

If you want UNCUT ORIGINAL version, ALWAYS look for ORIGINAL LICENSED Production. NOT US Release. Its a foreign film, it should not be US version to begin with~! HELLO!!!?? Why settle for LESS with US Version where they edit and cut so many excellent scenes especially with Jackie's Fighting Scenes. And US Release ruins the speed and sound as well. I have been collecting JET Li movies both HK and US Release Version for quite some time now. I found HK Version to be MUCH MORE in enjoyable, and HIGHER in Quality. American Market always like to "Americanize" and "Control". Regional Code Regulation thing is one of the example to CONTROL the Market. Why not let everyone enjoy the same HK Original Release move the same way REST OF THE WORLD enjoys it ?? No one makes Hollywood American movies to "French version" or "Chinese Version" ~! This what Americans are doing~! Well, enjoy the cheap "American version" then~! LOL

Legend of the Dragon Kings: Vol. 3 Red Dragon

Average customer rating:

it gets better and better with each release

Legend of the Dragon Kings: Vol. 3 Red Dragon
Starring: Yotee , Kappei Yamaguchi , Hideyuki Hori , Masahiro Anzai , and Jamie McGonnigal
Director: Norio Kashima
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000C52FW
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Description

In this magical adventure, the young Ryuudo brothers discover they aren't quite human. As each comes of age, he gains the ability to transform into a fire-breathing dragon. Now danger pursues them in the form of a mad scientist bent on dissecting them and revealing their secret! Can the brothers escape this fiendish plot?

Customer Reviews:

it gets better and better with each release.......2004-05-05

Well, I have the whole series in vhs, and am buying the dvds as they come out, and whoever I show this too, promptly loves it, so now I'm buying the complete set when it comes out 5/11/04 for my sister, and also the last of the 2 dvds for me. Please see my review on the first volume for why I love these so much, and why these dvds were what kept in interested in anime (Spirited away introduced anime to me).
This time, the series focuses on second brother Tsuzuku and what happens when he gets physically stressed to the max - he transforms to a fire breathing dragon. The plot here starts getting complex but stays very understandable and logical. The writer of this series of manga from which this anime is based is, Tanaka, Yoshiki and I have bought his other anime (Arslan, legend of the galactic heroes).Per another lover of Sohryuden - he is still continuing this series and realease one novel each year updating this series - so it is not done yet!
Tanaka Sensei makes constant commentaries on his views of world politics in his anime and they are detailed in history lessons-such mind candy - especially when paired with great storytelling and likeable characters.
Anyway, there are 4 brothers who are dragons, and by now they are fully aware they will transform when under extreme stress into dragon form - and the second brother's greatest fear is that he will lose his humanity, or his understanding and self-presence once he finds himself inadvertently transformed into dragon form.
The best part of this is the Seiyuu, or the voice actor who plays the second brother - Tobita, Nobuo, This actor's voice sounds like silk (I have been buying japanese anime dvds just because his voice is used!)! His voice matches the personality of the seemingly laid back, loyal,noble and infinitely polite second brother, Tsuzuku. There is a hilarious scene (I'm not sure which volume) where he is powerfully dispatching all the bad guys (in an armored tank-who are shooting at him and his brothers) but as he is removing each bad guy from the tank, he is very graciously saying with great sincerety to each person he removes (as the enemy represents men of authority (soldiers)with very formal salutations such as,"how nice to meet you for the first time", "I look for your favor", "deep apologies" etc etc. This is totally hilarious. I play this scene back repeatedly for my friends, and they find also it so funny.
I believe this sort of anime will appeal to anyone who likes dragon mystique (yay!) and who like their characters basically positive, noble, and self-sacrificing. Another reason why I like this volume so much is that in episode 5 (I think), Matsuri - the 4 boys female cousin (who in previous life was the eldest son's great love)is dressed in a dark blue summer kimono as they go to a bon dance festival- hearing the scratchy recorded sound of the old bon dance songs is so nostalgic.
This is a very traditional Japanese anime - not for everyone at all, but for those who like anime with a strong Japanese flavor, this is so much fun!!!!

Red Dragon of Shaolin / Legend of the Tiger

Average customer rating:

Action abounds
Independent Classic
best wushu ever put in a movie....
Amazing kung fu flick
Good Movie

Red Dragon of Shaolin / Legend of the Tiger
Starring: Wei-Zhing Pan , Xiao-zhen Zhong , Gen-Fa Sun , Xui-Yi Xu , and Yan-Long Li
Director: Lung Siu
Manufacturer: Ground Zero
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000844LD
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Customer Reviews:

Action abounds.......2007-05-07

A good, but not pretentious, movie. The action sequences are solid and do not attempt to be too flashy. This film and its sequel are worthwhile additions to one's DVD library.

Independent Classic.......2006-05-23

This is one of those "classics" that for some reason was overlooked. Everything about it has the look and feel of anything by Shaw Brothers or Golden Harvest except using more beautiful actual locations and real buildings. The fight choreography and cinematography are excellent and surprising since this was not made by any of the aforementioned studios. The actors are pretty much unknowns but are definately capable of performing realistic martial arts techniques without the nauseating wire tricks in today's films. The DVD video and audio quality are very good and thankfully in widescreen. And how important widescreen is in this film. The cast is huge with many extras in many scenes. Also, the Chinese countryside is beautifully filmed adding to the film's epic feel. It's just a kung fu movie, I know, but if care was taken in making films of this quality, maybe the world would've taken the genre more seriously and it wouldn't have degenerated into the sad state it is now.

best wushu ever put in a movie...........2004-09-14

If you like wushu, get this movie. its amazing. a true test of the knowledge of a martial arts film fan is how they rate this movie. If you like actors pretending to be martial artists, being yanked around on strings with 2 second cuts, this movie is NOT for you.

if you like a movie full of REAL talented wushu athletes from China, with LONG fight sequences (upwards of 20-30 seconds! believe it or not!) demonstrating high difficulty moves... this movie is for you.

The story is a bit rudimentary, the dragon boating scenes are a bit boring (unless you're a huge dragon boat fan maybe) but that is what the Fast Forward button is for... its worth it for the fight scenes alone.

Amazing kung fu flick.......2004-07-29

First off, I'd like to point out that I love acrobatic, wushu style of martial arts in movies. If you are the same way, you will absolutely love this movie.

Although the story is boring, it is far from annoying due to the fact that this movie obvously has a higher budget than most kung fu films of the time not starring Jackie Chan. It is a very easy film to watch, and the kung fu is spectacular.

Every person who performs martial arts in this movie is obvously very skilled at wushu, and the choreography is beautifully done.

BUY THIS MOVIE NOW!

Good Movie.......2000-11-14

i like the plot of this movie and the star actor along with a few of the other actors, all are very interesting, there are however a few boring moments in this film, so i couldnt give it a five.

Average customer rating:

Fun film, poor release.
2.5/5-another weird Jing Wong movie with Jet Li
Run of the Mill mid-80's Kung fu Romance
new legend of shaolin
ORIGINAL IS BETTER~!

Legend of the Red Dragon [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B00005OCWE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Fun film, poor release........2007-01-18

2.5/5-another weird Jing Wong movie with Jet Li.......2007-01-02

Run of the Mill mid-80's Kung fu Romance.......2006-08-08

new legend of shaolin.......2006-03-01

ORIGINAL IS BETTER~!.......2006-02-05

Average customer rating:

Fun film, poor release.
2.5/5-another weird Jing Wong movie with Jet Li
Run of the Mill mid-80's Kung fu Romance
new legend of shaolin
ORIGINAL IS BETTER~!

Legend of the Red Dragon [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00006JI2H

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Fun film, poor release........2007-01-18

2.5/5-another weird Jing Wong movie with Jet Li.......2007-01-02

Run of the Mill mid-80's Kung fu Romance.......2006-08-08

new legend of shaolin.......2006-03-01

ORIGINAL IS BETTER~!.......2006-02-05

DVD:

DVD

DVD