Wushu Review

• 14th Apr 2011

I grew up watching martial arts films and, let me tell you, I’ve seen more than my fair share. I love the extravagant, over the top and contrived stories which, in most cases, take some believing. From Bruce Lee to Jet Li, and Michelle Yeoh to Ziyi Zhang, I love the high kicking, sky flying and body contorting action. That brings me nicely to the DVD release of Wushu, released by MVM Entertainment LTD on 18^th April 2011.

The film’s executive producer is none other than superstar martial arts actor Jackie Chan (Rush Hour Trilogies and The Karate Kid) and directed by Antony Szeto (Dragonblade, Sniper and Bangkok Hilton). Wushu tells the tale of a group of martial arts students facing many challenges as they prepare to graduate. Martial arts movie legend Sammo Hung Kam-Bo plays an aging Wushu instructor, Li Hui, who now coaches his two (pre-adolescent) sons Li Er (Yachao Wang) and Li Yi (Wenjie Wang).

The two boys are introduced to a new Wushu school where they become close friends with several other students. After saving a puppy from a dog handler, the friends soon form the “Jing Wu Men” club. The club’s title “Jing Wu” refers to the real martial arts association that Bruce Lee’s character belonged to in Fist Of Fury.

Years later at graduation, the film takes an unexpected turn as the group of friends foil a kidnapping of a young child at a fair. This news is met with anger from the head of the kidnappers who specialises in child trafficking (and was once himself a top Wushu student) who then decides to take two children from the Wushu school as he has a deadline to keep.

Soon the group of Wushu students cross paths with an evil martial arts master and they try once again to foil the child trafficker’s plans. Now they must put their combative skills to the test in order to defeat this enemy and save their fellow students.

Wushu starts off slow but soon picks up pace. At one point at the beginning I thought it was going to be a ‘wannabe Power Ranger film’ but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Wushu is entertaining enough, though the acting is a bit camp and extravagant, but that’s what you expect from this genre. Oh, and if you’re thinking Sammo is past his best… think again. He shows why he’s still at the top of his game.

Wushu doesn’t hold any surprises, in fact, there’s nothing here that you haven’t seen a million times before; from the bespectacled villain, the bearded baddie to the clean cut healthy living kids who always do the right thing. Although aimed at children, some parents may find the diversionary subplot involving trafficking too intense for younger viewers. Having said that, Wushu is an enjoyable watch, kind of like a Chinese live action Disney movie from the 80s.  So sit back and enjoy this wholesome yarn of friendship, courage and honour.

Donnie Tulloch