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Iron Monkey [1993]
![Iron Monkey [1993]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515452E2KSL._SL160_.jpg)
On the DVD: This is a handsome-looking anamorphic (16:9) widescreen transfer, although the soundtrack is in mono. You can select either the dubbed English version or the original Cantonese with English subtitles. Extra features include trailers, photo galleries, biographies and interviews with both star Donnie Yen (in English) and director Yuen Woo-Ping (subtitled). Digitally remastered and restored DVD transfer For this breathtaking epic adventure set in the late Ching dynasty, acclaimed action director Yuen Woo-Ping combines incredible dynamic, high-flying fight action and stunning cinematography with a classic story of courage, honour and sacrifice.
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £14.99 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Iron Monkey is a thrilling 1993 adventure directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, now better known as the action director of The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Audiences who approach Iron Monkey after seeing the latter two Hollywood-produced hit movies will not be disappointed here, either by the physical prowess of the stars or the astonishing action set-pieces (especially an interlude atop a set of "Chinese poles"), which are staged for maximum dynamism. The story concerns the real-life Cantonese patriot Wong Fei-Hung, who is first introduced as an earnest boy travelling with his upright pugilist father (Donnie Yen) and drawing inspiration from the activities of the benevolent masked bandit known as the Iron Monkey (Yu Rong-Guang), a sort of Oriental Robin Hood. Ever since the late 1800s Wong Fei-Hung has evolved into an icon of Chinese pop culture and he's been a central figure in Hong Kong cinema since the 1950s, notably in Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China series. Yuen Woo-Ping's fight sequences for his version of the legend are a powerful combination of the older, Baltic style of kung fu action and the newer body-slamming style pioneered by Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. If you thought you were allergic to martial arts but loved Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this is the perfect picture to continue your exploration of the genre. --David Chute, Amazon.com
Editorial
Video Description
DVD Special Features:
16:9 anamorphic version enhanced for widescreen TVs
Animated biography showcase (Yuen Woo-Ping and Donnie Yen)
Dual language format (English dubbed and Cantonese with remastered English subtitles)
AC3 5:1 Digital Audio
Production photo gallery
Interview gallery with leading man Donnie Yen and director Yuen Woo-Ping
Original theatrical trailer
UK promotional trailer
Fully animated menus
Editorial
Synopsis
Yuen Woo-Ping's exhilarating martial arts film stars Yu Rong Guang as Dr. Yang, a kind family doctor who charitably provides medicine and care to impoverished villagers, along with his assistant, Orchid (the lovely Jean Wang). Yang, however, also masquerades as the crime-fighting Iron Monkey, who robs gold from the rich and gives to it the poor, much to the dismay of the corrupt local governor (James Wong). When famed fighter and physician Wong Kei-Ying (Donnie Yen) and his young son, Wong Fei-Hung (crossdressed actress Tsang Sze-Man), wander into town, the cowardly ruler captures the boy and pits his father against the elusive Iron Monkey. Eventually, the heroes must unite to face an even greater foe--a renegade Shaolin master (Yen Yee Kwan) and his treacherous lackeys.
This Chinese variation on the legend of Robin Hood is a good-natured (and often funny) action movie that features numerous outstanding fight scenes (including a battle fought on poles over a raging fire) and a surprising amount of cooking (yes, cooking). The film is the prequel to Tsui Hark's ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA series, which follows the adventures of folk hero Wong Fei-Hung as an adult. IRON MONKEY is particularly revelatory due to the amazing action sequences directed by Woo-Ping, who went on to choreograph the intricate fights of THE MATRIX and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.
Editorial
From the Back Cover
From the acclaimed action director of "The Matrix" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
International action superstars Donnie Yen ("Once Upon a Time in China 2", "Highlander 4") and Yu Rong Kwong ("Shanghai Noon", "Project S") give immaculate performances as two legendary warriors who must put their lives on the line to defeat the barbaric excesses of a corrupt political regime and protect the lives of the people whose cause they champion.
Making judicious use of low-key lighting, high contrast colour combinations and a haunting soundtrack, director Yuen Woo-Ping creates a unique visual tapestry and captures a mood, which is gently romantic and yet emotionally charged. Each fight sequence is both original and enervating, possessing a relentless kinetic energy and strong emotional underscoring, which lifts it will beyond traditional martial arts action.
A good film spoiled by unnecessary effects.
Review date: 2006-08-08 Rating: 6 out of 10
Donnie Yen is an incredibly talented martial artist and this movie goes a long way to proving that. Unfortunately some of the action is speeded up to the point that it's quite laughable - no idea why because the guy's just unbelievable at normal speed! And there's too much wire work - people defying gravity - for me. The story's nothing special, the acting a little above the usual Hong Kong fare, but the bad guy's can really kick butt and there are some great gems in and amongst the fight scenes. Definitely one of the better HK flicks, just not one of the best.
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Reviews
This is a badboy film
Review date: 2005-09-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
If you know about kung fu films, i need say no more. The fight scenes are incredible.
I watched it at a friend's, i had my own copy within 24hrs!!!
good film
Review date: 2004-08-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
you dont have to worry about quality with this dvd its not to old, its a very good film aswell the fight scenes are quality and i recommend it to anyone that is a fan of kung fu
"NO SHADOW KICK"
Review date: 2004-03-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
WHAT A CRACKING MARTIAL ARTS FILM. I HAVE 2 VERSIONS OF THIS MOVIE. BUT THIS VERSION IS THE BEST.
A TAKE ON THE LEGEND OF ROBIN HOOD, IRON MONKEY ROBS FROM THE RICH AND GIVES TO THE POOR, ANYONE STOPS HIM HE KNOCKS 'EM TO THE FLOOR(HA, HA).DONNIE YEN IS GREAT IN THIS FILM AS IS THE REST OF THE CAST BUT I MUST MENTION TSANG TZE MAN WHO PLAYS THE YOUNG BOY WONG FEI HUNG VERY WELL AND HER MARTIAL ARTS SKILLS ARE STUNNING. IT IS YET ANOTHER TALE OF CHINESE FOLK HERO WONG FEI HUNG, BUT THIS TIME SHOWS HIM AS A TEN YEAR OLD. THE ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY BY YEUN WOO PING IS BREATHTAKING AND ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF "WIRE FU" THEY ROCK!
THE EXTRAS ON THIS DVD ARE THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS VERSION; AUDIO COMMENTARY BY BEY LOGAN AND DONNIE YEN, INTERVIEWS WITH THE PRINCIPLE CAST, AN INTERVIEW WITH YUEN CHUNG YAN (WO PING'S BRO) ABOUT THE ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY, VIDEO COMMENTARY (20 MINS) GREAT IDEA, BETTER IF IT WAS LONGER AND A LITTLE FEATURETTE OF HK STUNT MAN ALEX YIP SHOWCASING SOME OF THE FILM TECHNIQUES USED TO CHOREOGRAPH A FIGHT SCENE (LOOK OUT FOR BRIT HK STUNTMAN JUDE POYER)A BIT SHORT BUT AN EYE OPENER NONE THE LESS.
OVERALL A GREAT PACKAGE. BUY IT NOW
An Awe Inspiring Period Action Piece
Review date: 2004-02-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
Acclaimed director and action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping brings us his most grandiose effort yet. Exhibiting his mastery of the wire movie, as displayed in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, he brings us this highly entertaining period piece revolving around the father of legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung (played incredibly convincingly by a young girl!) joining forces with a Robin Hood-esque outlaw who robs from the corrupt and gives to the poor by night, and by day runs a clinic.
Phenomenal Martial Arts player Donnie Yen, who can be seen in Shanghai Knights and Blade II, stars alongside Mainland Chinese Peking Opera Player Yu Rong Kwong in what is a highly ammusing action comedy. Iron Monkey provides all the slapstick you would expect from a Hong Kong movie, as Yuen Woo Ping takes us through the corrupt Manchu governments quest to capture the title character, which culminates in a showdown above a flaming pit that really has to be seen to be believed.
True Martial Arts fans should note that this DVD also provides two documentaries on Wu Shu Forms, along with interviews with leading cast members, Iron Monkey promotional trailers, and some glimpses of hot forthcoming titles.
This title is an absolutely integral addition to the DVD collection of even the most casual admirer of Hong Kong Cinema. Miss it at your peril.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Jean Wang
Donnie Yen
Rongguang Yu
James Wong
Shi-Kwan Yen
Creators:
Rongguang Yu (Primary Contributor)
Donnie Yen (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Contender Entertainment Group
Manufacturer: Contender Entertainment Group
EAN: 5032438504763
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL,
Release date: 2001-03-26
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 86 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1993
Language: Cantonese Chinese (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Dubbed)