The Master (1989)
Review by Doc Ezra
Film:
DVD:

Written by Lam Kei To and Lau Tai Muk
Directed by Tsui Hark
Starring Jet Li, Yuen Wah, Crystal Kwok, and Jerry Trimble

Rating: R

Anamorphic: Yes

My advice: Rent it

After years of delays and working to earn the needed money, Jet (Li, natch) is finally off to America to visit his old master Uncle Tak (Wah), who has been teaching kung fu on our side of the pond for quite some time now. Despite his excitement, Jet meets with trouble almost the moment he gets off the plane. A group of Latino gang members attempt to make off with Jet’s gear, and a chase through the city ensues. After administering a sound thrashing, Jet finds himself with his very own band of Hispanic kung fu pupils.

He also soon discovers that his master’s school is in disrepair, and the master himself is missing. Between getting arrested for trespassing on the repossessed dojo grounds, fighting off rival kung fu schools (led by Jonny (Trimble), a rival student of his master’s), and trying to train his new students, Jet initially has a rough go of it. Eventually, though, it all boils down to Jet versus Jonny for the fate of the school, Uncle Tak, and Jet's future in America.

Prior to his recent burst of popularity in the U.S., Jet Li was already one of the most renowned action stars in all of Asia. He starred in dozens of films, ranging from modern-day kung fu action flicks like this one to historical wuxia pieces. The Master stands as an excellent example of the modern genre. The plot has some rather obvious holes, but you don’t pick up a Jet Li movie for the writing. You pick up Jet Li because you want to see him lay a chop-socky smackdown on some people, preferrably several people at once, and at least once per quarter-hour of screen time. This the movie does most excellently.

Jet Li is quite good here, though occasionally a bit too intentionally naive as the stranger in a strange land. The Hispanic gangsters are likewise played over the top for laughs, but such is the nature of Hong Kong cinema. If you’re familiar with such films, this one is pretty typical, but for those unused to the rapid switches from comedy to drama to action in the genre, it can be a little off-putting. I say as long as they make with the kicking and the swordplay on a regular, the rest is all gravy anyway.

The action sequences are solid throughout, and Li is in fine form as usual. Choreography is good, though not as tight as the best the genre offers. It’s essentially better than most U.S. martial arts films, but not as good as the best Hong Kong has to offer. There’s some hand-to-hand work, a little bit of swordplay, and sufficient destruction of property (though some of the break-away sets are a little too easily broken away, belying the budget of the picture). The climactic battle of the film is outstanding, and has everything such a battle should.

If you’re a kung fu fanatic, then this one definitely deserves a spot on your shelf. While not Jet Li’s finest work, it does have merit and is a decent example of his work in the modern genre. If you’re only a lukewarm chop-socky enthusiast, then there are better examples out there, and a good number of those, too, star Jet Li. Give it a rental, and see for yourself.