Donnie Yen. Cool or fool? the debate

[Athena]

Donnie's alright, his recent films like Ip Man and B&A have sure given him a chance to be something more than the poser he was during the late 80's/early 90's... but know, as much as I appreciate his skill as a screen fighter and his choreography, in interviews in both Chinese and English, he does still come across as bit of an arrogant p%$k.

Hello Everyone !

From a 100 % newbie on the forum I must say I totally agree with you Jubilee... I have not seen the Chen Zhen one yet but have it coming in the next few days, so as I have heard it is THE WORST Donnie Yen one ever (??) ..I will make another comment then..

Thank you for letting me join this COOL Martial Arts Movie Forum !! I have been posting on on KFC & FLK for a while & I am a moderator at SC36..

Xiexie, Athena

[Athena]

Oddly, I have approached his career somewhat backwards - so I have been impressed with his recent stuff, but when you dig back there really are some stinkers there. But then I guess that is a good thing - shows some growth and potential. The real test will be to see if he can act outside the action genre - still how many years did it take for Jet Li to show he could do it in "Oceans Heaven"??

@ monkeyboy !!

I just have to praise your AVATAR !!
Mr. John Steed now THAT is COOL !!!

Regards, Athena

[ASaroch]

Welcome Athena, a pleasure to have you on the forum. I really thought Return Of Chen zhen was good, but not great - certainly not his worst. It could've done without the whole Kato allusion though.

[ASaroch]

Just saw your facebook page - I offer a reverent bow to you and the Ladies action Cinema Appreciation team. A photo of Hwang Jang Lee no less - these are ladies who are incredibly wise.

[monkeyboy]

@ monkeyboy !!

I just have to praise your AVATAR !!
Mr. John Steed now THAT is COOL !!!

Regards, Athena

Thanks Athena. Old Mr Steed has always been the epitomy of cool in my eyes. If only I was 1% as cool as he .

Chen Zhen has its moments, it was far from the worst film I have ever seen, but it just seemed to miss the mark on every story point - What is made me think of was when I was back at school, and you used to have those Cliff's Notes guides on Books - but instead of highlighting the important passages, the author had gone for the minor ones. There is an alternate universe where there is a script for this film where totally different passages were highlighted for filming I am sure. And for what it is worth... http://elpeevio.blogspot.com/2011/03/legend-of-fist-return-of-chen-zhen.html

[TheBaron]

A mostly crappy actor who benefits from working in an era that has a severe lack of genuine martial arts actors.

[econdor]

A mostly crappy actor who benefits from working in an era that has a severe lack of genuine martial arts actors.

Meow I think hes another JC hes matured with age, but some of the best action films have been with the Yen, Ip Man 1&2, 14 Blades, SPL, Tiger cage
No Seriously maybe hes benefited from lack of other stars but he still has that screen presence.

[Phil]

What if he had done that movie with Tony Jaa, would that have made you like him more Mike?

[TheBaron]

Nah. Tony Jaa in any HK flavoured movie would excite me though. I really hope the rumours of him working with Sammo on a movie next turn out to be true.

[Phil]

Nah. Tony Jaa in any HK flavoured movie would excite me though. I really hope the rumours of him working with Sammo on a movie next turn out to be true.

Not sure that news would excite you quite so much if you'd seen 'Choy Li Fut'. Proof that even Sammo can't save some films.