Hong Kong 1991 Director: Hu Jinquan Executive Director: Tsui Hark, Cheng Xiaodong, Li Huimin

Starring: Samuel Hui, Sharla Cheung, Cecilia Yip, Jacky Cheung

Hu Jinquan, a great Taiwanese director, was famous in the world cinema in the 197s for "Empty Mountains and Rain" and was named one of the six world directors in 1976. Hu Jinquan has achieved a lot in expressing the artistic conception of China's traditional paintings and calligraphy through the lens. Several of his masterpieces have been recognized by the world. the legendary swordsman, which is adapted from Jin Yong's masterpieces, is also his last work, which has created a new road for Hong Kong and Taiwan's new martial arts films.

The film can't describe personal psychology and spirit too much as in the novel, and Ling Huchong is a shrewd and slippery head; Yue Buqun just wrote "I am bad" directly on his face; Yingying is probably more disappointing to readers; Zuo Lengchan has no heroism and ambition in the original work, and even gloomy and cold has not gained its marrow; As for the father-in-law characters that are not in the original work, they are more typed.

Apart from the failures in these plays, there are many things worthy of praise in terms of the creation of pictures and atmosphere. Shortly after the film began, the ancient father-in-law led his troops to surround Lin Zhennan's dyehouse, and several scenes with rich artistic conception of Chinese painting were very impressive. The same is true of Zuo Lengchan's appearance. A group of startled birds flashed across the afterglow of the sunset on the cliff, and several black shadows flew down. The few shots created an excellent atmosphere. Besides, poetry and sword dancing, boat singing and so on are all the actions of China traditional elegant scholar Gao Shi.

The martial arts design of the film is freehand, which does not deify China martial arts and basically conforms to the image of the original and ancient chivalrous people. In the absence of excessive abuse of stunts, the martial arts of the film still satisfied many audiences. In the film, the Huashan swordsmanship of Ling Huchong's "once climbing to the top of the peek, one would see, a small view of the mountains" and the hunting on the lake in Zuo Lengchan are all very obvious in martial arts design. At the end, Ling Huchong's Nine Swords of Dugu is a little worse than the original writing of the dragon without the beginning and the end, but it is also a unique creation

2. Dong Fangbubai

Producer: Tsui Hark, director: Cheng Xiaodong

Starring: Brigitte Lin, Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan

After Mr. Hu's death, producer Tsui Hark and action director Cheng Xiaodong filmed the sequel "Dong Fangbubai" again. In fact, it's a sequel, and the plot has changed a lot. Mr. Jin Yong's original work only shows its shape, and the essence of the novel can be said to have been lost, which is a great change at best. However, the picture of the film and the martial arts defeat are excellent, which once again set off a new climax of stunt martial arts films and became a film worth mentioning.

In this sequel, there are almost no absolute positive characters, just a fierce struggle for power and profit. This also shows that the two generations of directors have different sense of the times. In the film, not only Dong Fangbubai and Ren Woxing have their own ambitions and excuses, but even Ling Huchong, the protagonist, acts according to his will, regardless of moral consequences. On closer inspection, Ling Huchong and Yingying knew each other first, and had a period of doomed love with Dong Fangbubai. Finally, he seemed to retire with Younger's fusang. He was really a prodigal son, and he was unfaithful. Even for one's own personal gain, a number of other disciples were killed on the eve of his retirement. Although it was an unintentional move, it could be considered unjust.

Tsui Hark was obviously dissatisfied with the simplistic and idolized description of Ling Huchong's infatuated character in the original novel, but added these emotional entanglements. The evil feelings of Ling Huchong and Dong Fangbubai also laid the groundwork for Dong Fangbubai's true unbeaten.

Jet Li's martial arts actions need not be said much, but his acting skills are far less than his kung fu, and the depth is needless to say. The complicated relationship between characters alone is enough for him to deal with. Brigitte Lin always played some uncertain characters in the 199s, but no matter how she looked at it, she still played her beauty, even if she was a little older, she could play a half-aged beauty in Xu Niang. There is no need to play these half-male and half-female monsters, which were mocked and joked by Stephen Chow in "Shenlong Religion". Rosamund Kwan is still a pathetic girl, who has been a vase for many years. Although this role is also a master of dancing and making swords, she is even a strong woman like "vendor", but she has failed to achieve anything after all.

Longmen Inn

Director: Li Huimin Cheng Xiaodong, starring Tony Leung Ka Fai, Brigitte Lin and Maggie Cheung

It should be said that this film is a rare serious work in modern new martial arts films, and it is a classic shot with a serious attitude from subject matter to script, from theme to details. The film is a remake of the classic of the same name by Taiwan Province martial arts master Hu Jinquan in 198s, which basically respects and retains the rigor and heaviness of the original works of that era, and with the wonderful modern martial arts shooting method, a new classic version of martial arts has been achieved.

The eunuch rebellion in the Ming Dynasty and the dispute between the eastern factory and the western factory were the favorite historical background for martial arts novels and movies for a period of time. virtuous woman, a loyal minister and warrior, was tested in this cruel historical environment, and of course, a traitor was indispensable. The complex human nature is extremely simplified in the cruel external environment, and the roles can be directly defined as two kinds of good people and bad people, which are very clear and distinct, which is very suitable for the requirements of martial arts movie audiences to express their gratitude and hatred through the film. The Longmen Inn is different from or superior to other similar films in that it shows the complexity of human nature-although it is still simple compared with the so-called "literary film".

The psychological complexity of the characters is revealed mainly by the role of Jin Xiangyu played by Maggie Cheung. This distinctive character is by no means classified by simple "good" and "bad". Zhou Ruian in the "Longmen Inn" this square inch of land, juggling between two heroines and the pursuit of the government, whether it can protect the lives of two weak people to leave safely is really a great suspense. The suspense makes the plot full of tension, and under the action of suspense and tension, all kinds of plot details are naturally arranged with ease, and the character's personality is fully displayed.

The excellent characterization is one of the success factors of this film. Tony Leung Ka Fai, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, and a number of supporting roles all left a deep impression on the audience. For a martial arts movie, it is enough that people can remember so many characters after the audience satisfies the temporary visual pleasure.

4. bride with white hair

Director: Yu Rentai Starring: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung

The new version of bride with white hair has completely broken away from the old version, and is presented to the audience as a "new martial arts film". Zhuo Yihang, played by Leslie Cheung, is no longer a coward who is only Nuo Nuo in the old version and dare not cross the line, but a heroic teenager who has done something and taken responsibility. Its psychological contradictions and conflicts are also full of weight, and the conflicts are more real and intense. It should be said that the audience generally appreciate the improvement of taste, which has played the most direct role in the breakthrough and change of martial arts films. The story is no longer simple, the characters are no longer simple, and the conflicts and entanglements are no longer simple. This is the place where martial arts films should break through most. When the film was released, it was claimed that there were passionate scenes of two superstars, which was a breakthrough in the new martial arts film. Although this propaganda was understandable, in fact, the so-called "passionate scene" was nothing more than that, which made thousands of viewers excited in vain.

At the same time, bride with white hair's picture making is also extremely exquisite. The costume set has completely broken through the traditional martial arts film mode, making full use of the lighting to create gorgeous effects, and running the martial arts world between reality and imagination by almost shooting supernatural films.

5. heroic trio

Director: Du Qifeng Starring: Anita Mui, Yang Ziqiong, Maggie Cheung

The new martial arts films began to expand their territory to modern cities. This trend, which started from comics, satisfied the audience's curiosity about fists, palms, swords and machine guns and grenades, and the different environments between modern cities and ancient times can also provide more novelty and excitement for new martial arts films that pay attention to visual effects.

However, after all, the modern city is not the best place to make swords, so it was not until heroic trio that the best version mode was shown for this kind of new martial arts movies. "heroic trio", their identities are like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Flash. In short, there are countless examples of this model in modern cities. This laid a very good foundation for heroic trio to be accepted by more audiences, even western audiences, and the dazzling visual effects of modern martial arts films in the East also brought more visual stimulation than Superman and other films. The functions of fighters, dancers and martial arts can be accomplished by special effects, and the physical beauty will bring the most direct visual enjoyment.

In the film, three young beauties cooperate to complete a duel against evil forces, forming the legendary "heroic trio" in modern cities. At the end, the three sisters are all dressed up in general, wearing black trench coats, all of which are ideas from comics, and also create a visual trademark for heroic trio. Hundreds of years old monsters, invulnerable guards, and invisibility cloaks all bring a certain degree of magical color to the film, and also pave the way for more visual impact stunts. However, these too mysterious settings also greatly reduce the credibility of the film, but it is not as good as the new martial arts films in ancient costumes.

6. Tian Shan Tong Mu

Director: Qian Yongqiang Starring: Brigitte Lin, Gong Li

Actually, Tian Shan Tong Mu was basically selected as a negative textbook. After a period of flooding, the new martial arts movies have reached the time of innovation and change. A large number of films with similar themes, themes, characters, stories, stunts and even the combination of actors and actresses flooded the screen in just a few years, which made the audience who were still very interested tired of the martial arts screen full of cliches. Therefore, strengthening stimulation has become the same means for producers and directors, and "Tian Shan Tong Mu" is one of the most prominent ones.

Watching Gong Li and Brigitte Lin fly in the sky, shooting and bombing like fighter planes, it's a martial arts version of Star Wars. The story of Tian Long Ba Bu has been changed into a mess, not to mention the complex theme of human nature.

"Tian Shan Tong Mu" marks the low point of the new martial arts movies. It was not until computer stunts were added to a greater extent that the comic new martial arts movies were pushed to a new climax. However, this new climax is also aimed at visual impact. Although the stories based on martial arts comics have some new ideas, they also tend to be more simplified. The development direction and duration of this new climax remains to be seen, but one thing is indisputable: if the new martial arts film only focuses on martial arts rather than chivalry, and only focuses on visual effects rather than the theme of the story, it will not have great development and progress, and will be eliminated soon.

7. Fengyun

Director: Liu Weiqiang, starring Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok

With the latest computer stunts, a cartoon adaptation of "New Humanity" will be completed. Although there is no detailed textual research, it is the most famous in the first film, and there will be no objection about it.

First of all, as a special martial arts movie "blockbuster", the martial arts scenes in Fengyun can be said to be painstaking, trying to break the inherent pattern of martial arts design in the previous new martial arts movies with all kinds of special effects that computers can provide. The interception on the lake, the master duel of Yuan Shen's out-of-body experience and the final duel are all ingenious and unique, fully exploring the functions of computer stunts in martial arts. Compared with the classic "New Martial Arts Movie", the most remarkable difference of this kind of martial arts movie belonging to the 21st century is the extensive use of various computer stunts. Not only has there been a great breakthrough in the martial arts scenes mentioned above, but most of the lightness skill and posture in the film have been done by computers. In addition, scenes and paragraphs dedicated to displaying stunts, such as charts and monsters, have been specially added.

Maybe it's really unnecessary to be so critical of a comic martial arts movie that is purely based on visual stimulation, but for me, it's worth the ticket price to have a little aftertaste after the movie is shown. Too plain and superficial visual impact can never be compared with its rich imagination potential, which is not much different from eating a weird fast food bread.

8. Hua Hero

Director: Liu Weiqiang Starring: Ekin Cheng

Although the story is pure nonsense and there are numerous loopholes, the visual effect of the film is absolutely "unprecedented". At this point, this "Hua Hero" is really a match with the "Tian Shan Tong Mu" mentioned above. The whole film was caught in the splendid stunt scenes, and even the story, structure, image, character and contradiction, and almost all other elements of the film were paralyzed in the radiant light of "Chinese hero".

Such a film once again shows that it is absolutely impossible to make a new martial arts film with special effects. Let's work harder on the story, the characters and the word "Xia".

9. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Director: Ang Lee Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Yang Ziqiong, Zhang Ziyi and Zhang zhen

I don't know whether I am excited or sad when I see the logo of Colombian company appearing in the opening credits. What excites me is that a Taiwan Province man is shooting a traditional China story with American funds, and he is pursuing the most China flavor-at least there is such an attempt. Sadly, Hollywood in the United States has attacked the deepest hinterland of China movies. If China filmmakers don't work hard, Americans will take over your market and voice sooner or later.

simplicity breeds poetry, and it's hard to do this. It can be seen that Ang Lee did make his own efforts in the handling of martial arts drama. Except that the steel wire hanging over the eaves is too obvious, all martial arts scenes pay equal attention to reality, both artistic conception and real feeling. Yuan Heping shows his uniqueness as the first martial arts film in Hong Kong.

Look at Ang Lee's literary plays again. Wang Dulu's original works have always attached importance to literariness, combining martial arts novels with romance novels, and changing the old framework of martial arts that only used stories to create conflicts into a new novel style that relied on personality to create conflicts, which was a breakthrough at that time. When martial arts movies were popular in previous years, most of them were still in the old-fashioned martial arts "story" mode. With the help of Ang Lee, this film became a truly "martial arts movie". In this "literary" martial arts story, Ang Lee shows his concern for "people" in the martial arts world.

But there are some regrets in the film. First of all, the description of Yu Jiaolong is crude, only emphasizing her waywardness, and her own sorrow is not fully explained and portrayed. Luo Xiaohu's tardy appearance makes the display of characters and personalities more superficial, even a little puzzling in many cases. The main role of the film has been changed from Yu Xiaolong and Luo Xiaohu in the original to the tragedy of two lovers who set off each other. The lack of portrayal of Yu Xiaolong's heart (which is related to Zhang Ziyi's performance) will inevitably lead to the imbalance of the whole film. At the end of the film, Jade Dragon and Luo Xiaohu gave their lives to jump off a cliff (in the original, Jade jumped off a cliff in the name of giving her life, and disappeared without a trace after a night of lingering with Tiger), and made atonement for chivalry with her life and escaped her love tragedy with her life. At this time, although I can understand the director's intention, I really exposed the mistakes and carelessness in adaptation.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that Tan Dun's music can play up the atmosphere and enhance the drama, all of which are just right. There is no suspicion of usurping the host's role, and it can be felt by people. It really won the essence of film music.

1. Flying Dance

Director: Young jun Kim Starring: Shen Xianjun, Kim Hee Seon and Wang Yanan

A Korean film "Flying Dance" once again shows us hope.

Strictly speaking, this film is not very excellent, and Japanese and Hong Kong styles are mixed.