You can really see why Tsui hark has recently claimed that his best genre is Wuxia, and that he is finally returning to form with 7 SWORDS. You can see why, this film is really Tsui Hark’s masterpiece. The other’s are enjoyable, but this film is more than fun, it carries a deep message of nationalism and pride in ones country and not allowing other countries to walk all over you not matter what. This could be Jet Li’s finest work, and is certainly Tsui Hark’s. Let’s hope he went back to having a wonderful story again as well as amazing visuals.

And it is always good to hear the Wong Fei Hung music, which I would love to know exactly where it came from.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…

Jet Li stars as the Martial arts master Wong Fei Hung who not only teaches the Chinese army to fight, but also is an eminent physician running Po Chi Lam, where he cures the sick. China is threatened by all the unequal treaties it has been forced into by Foreign powers, and the Manchu officials are hand and foot with them, harming Chinese to keep from offending the foreigners, and they have sent the best general away to deal with Vietnam because they want him out of the way. Wong turns the army into a local militia, but they get in trouble with a local gang while trying to save a young kid who knows some martial arts, but wants to learn more named Foon (the great Yuen Biao), and end up pissing off the Foreigners and the Manchus, and all being put in prison. Foon eventually joins up with an unscupled martial artist as they both try and survive.

Saap Saam Yee (Aunt 13), Wong Fei Hung’s aunt, that obviously loves him, though they always have a brotherly relationship, is captured by the gangs who have teamed up with the American’s to send prostitutes to the US to help keep the enslaved Chinese workers in line, who have been sent over with promises of gold and riches, but are working as virtual slaves. Wong Fei Hung has been imprisoned along with his closest student Lam Sai-Wing (the butcher, played by Kent Cheng Jak Si), and has been imprisoned not only for fighting but then allowing a Chinese man who was a slave in the US to escape with Saap Saam Yee and Bucktooth So (Jackie Cheung Hok Yau who only speaks English, and is learning medicine from master Wong). When Wong learns that Saap Saam Yee is kidnapped he escapes and goes to take down the gang, and the Martial arts master who joined them. Foon has turned against him and is also a prisoner for trying to help save Saap Saam Yee who he is also sweet on. Wong comes in and has a huge showdown, and it turns out the US has gone against international law, and are stopped and even the Manchu governor is saved.

This film is amazing and gorgeous, and these new DVD’s look great, and though I love the inclusion of the original 2.0 Cantonese soundtrack it does seem to be a little out of sync.

Tsui has some of the most beautiful shots in this film, and Jet Li has never been better, not only in action, but in his anguish at seeing China put down by these foreign imperialists. This film is an absolute must see!