Fearless

Fearless is based on the Chinese philosophy of living the Tao Te Ching by Loa Tzu. Fearless is about man who has to overcome his demons pride and glory which destroy him and his family.

Based in China in the 1900's. Fearless looks at the rules and ways of martial art competitions and its hero is a martial artist from china who studies Wushu. A slow martial art which is about strengthening the body and mind unlike Shoalin which is all about strength and vigour. The hero of Fearless just likes fighting all time contrary to which his wise friend says will only to lead to disaster.

Fearless is about the hero going on a journey to find himself and understand that glory and victory are not everything. This involves loads of martial art fighting and counselling with his bookworm who owns a restaurant. Hero then realises what he is going to fight for. Hero says who going fight for the change of martial art competition from being corrupt and gladiator like at the worst.

The storyline and plot of Fearless is well told but well known in many films especially Chinese films like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, House of the Flying Daggers and Hero. Plot is simple and easy to understand but is not boring to the intellectual viewer. Western intellectuals will only have a problem with Fearless if they unfamiliar with Chinese philosophy or culture.

The action is superb. Since it is all about martial art competition all the action is martial arts but it is beautifully choreographed but it is not aesthetic like some of the other Chinese martial art films. One of my favourite fighting scenes is when the wushu fighter encounters the American Hercules and outwits him like Muhummed Ali did to Joe Fraser but manages to humble him and make him happy to be defeated by him.

Over all Fearless is a splendid Chinese martial arts film that people can learn from. I recommend any one who like martial arts films to see this.