Fong Sai Yuk is a martial arts hero, similar to Wong Fei Hung and has been the subject of many films from the old Black and White days to the classic Shaw Brothers studio.
Here Jet Li takes on the role of the mischievous and at times cocky fighter who is always trying to stand up for justice but also has to deal with his playful mother (Josephine Siao) and stern father.
All things are fine and Fong Sai Yuk is happy because he has just befriended a beautiful girl at the local sports tournament, beating a few bullies for good measure.
But things get serious when he discovers his family is part of a rebel resistance movement. One of the Governors is sent on a mission to retrieve a list of members of that secret society and the scene is set for a fight to save his father and other rebels from this vicious assassin (Chiu Man Chuk).
Directed by the late great Corey Yuen, Fong Sai Yuk is a fun, playful film with great action. It is very wire-based and has very fast editing. The gravity-defying action may not be to everyone’s taste but it is done in such a great way with both Jet Li and Chui Man Chuk being able to show off there skills.
Josephine Siao steals the show as the crazy mother with a great comic performance even if the comedy is very broad in places.
The final fight which takes place above and below a stage is brilliantly done and overall the film is a very satisfying viewing experience.
Part 2 starts where the first one ended with Fong Sai Yuk now with the rebel leader and his soon-to-be wife returning to the village. But in the camp of rebels, there is a traitor. Now, at a time when few can be trusted, Fong Sai Yuk must utilise his every skill in the fight to overthrow his nation’s brutally powerful empire!
This is another enjoyable story, if a little disjointed in places. Adam Cheng gets a bigger role this time, and the main villain is excellently played by Ji Chunhua. The fights are just as wire-based as before, if a little more violent than the first.
The climax where Fong Sai Yuk has to rescue his mother from hanging by dangling various benches is excellently done as is his raid on the complex blindfolded and armed with just an array of swords.
88 Films has now released both films in a box set in 4K UHD and Blu-Ray.
Both films have excellent remastered images and original uncompressed mono soundtracks in Cantonese with translated English subtitles—no English dub option this time which may upset some fans.
Extras are –
The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk
- 4K restoration of the original Hong Kong Version of The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk presented in High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray
- Uncompressed Original Cantonese Mono
- Newly translated English Subtitles
- Audio Commentary by Chris Poggiali and Frankie Balboa
- Hit Hard and Fly High – An Interview with Director Corey Yuen Kwai – Excellent interview where ho goes into detail about the film and his career in general.
- The Pen is Mightier than the Sword – An Interview with Writer Jeff Lau
- Theatrical Trailer
The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 2
- 4K restoration of the original Hong Kong Version of The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk 2 presented in High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray
- Uncompressed Original Cantonese Mono
- Newly translated English Subtitles
- Audio Commentary by Peter Glagowski and Frankie Balboa
- Theatrical Trailer
A great package with stunning remasters.
FILM – (1) 7.5 (2) 7 – PICTURE – 8.5 AUDIO – 7 EXTRAS – 7.5
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