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Iron Monkey is a martial arts film from the action director of 'The Matrix' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
If you've watched any of these 2 films then you probably know that the fight scenes are more than impressive and less than realistic. Most of them involve impossible feats such as running up a 10ft wall and somersaulting backwards or flying through forests, balancing on the narrowest of tree branches. However, no matter how ridiculous they are, they are always great fun to watch, and Iron Monkey is no different.
It stars Donnie Yen as warrior who shows up in a town with his son, only to be arrested on suspicion of being 'Iron Monkey'. This Iron Monkey is rather like a Robin Hood of the town - he steals from the rich and greedy, and gives to the poor. His martial arts skills appear to be unmatched but when Iron Monkey shows up at the court, Donnie Yen reveals his talent.
After a long battle, Iron Monkey manages to escape and Donnie thinks that he is free to go as he can't possibly be Iron Monkey. The town's corrupt ruler however, has other ideas. He realises the oppertunity and forces him to track down and capture Iron Monkey. He must obey or his son dies. Having no choice, he sets out in search for Iron Monkey but soon realises that this character is loved all over town. People refuse to sell him food and throw rocks at him. But still he knows he must find Iron Monkey or son will be killed. So he sets out in search of him, only to come across a corrupt Shaolin monk with extraordinary martial arts abilities. After retreating from the fight, almost killed by the Shaolin Wonderpalm (don't laugh), he shows back up at the doctors house, but a surprise awaits him. The doctor is in fact Iron Monkey. After all he has done for him, he can't possibly turn him in so they join forces in order to defeat the corrupt monk and overthrow the town's ruler.
If you were impressed with some of the fight sequences in Crouching Tiger and The Matrix then you will be glad to know that they are taken one step further with Iron Monkey. The entire climactic fight pits Iron Monkey and Donnie Yen against the corrupted Shaolin monk. Astonishingly, this fight takes place on a series of thin flag poles with a huge fire burning below. It is incredibly well done with breaking poles, fantastic combos and the usual ridiculous things that you'd expect to find in a Yuen Woo-Ping movie - the impossible balancing on these poles while kicking and the standing on each others head to perform a gob-smacking moves.
The DVD itself comes with little extras. An interview with Donnie Yen, 2 trailers, photo galleries, biographies of the main cast and the choice of Cantonese language with subtitles or English dubbing. A little disappointing but what there is, isn't bad.
If you're a fan of The Matrix or Crouching Tiger then you're sure to love this movie, but if you're not too sure about all the flying and floating then you're probably best to steer clear. All in all though, if you like Yuen Woo-Ping then you should buy this DVD. It doesn't quite match either Crouching Tiger or The Matrix, simply because the characters aren't as likeable and the story isn't half as deep, but it is still a fun film and one that can be watched over and over again.
If you've watched any of these 2 films then you probably know that the fight scenes are more than impressive and less than realistic. Most of them involve impossible feats such as running up a 10ft wall and somersaulting backwards or flying through forests, balancing on the narrowest of tree branches. However, no matter how ridiculous they are, they are always great fun to watch, and Iron Monkey is no different.
It stars Donnie Yen as warrior who shows up in a town with his son, only to be arrested on suspicion of being 'Iron Monkey'. This Iron Monkey is rather like a Robin Hood of the town - he steals from the rich and greedy, and gives to the poor. His martial arts skills appear to be unmatched but when Iron Monkey shows up at the court, Donnie Yen reveals his talent.
After a long battle, Iron Monkey manages to escape and Donnie thinks that he is free to go as he can't possibly be Iron Monkey. The town's corrupt ruler however, has other ideas. He realises the oppertunity and forces him to track down and capture Iron Monkey. He must obey or his son dies. Having no choice, he sets out in search for Iron Monkey but soon realises that this character is loved all over town. People refuse to sell him food and throw rocks at him. But still he knows he must find Iron Monkey or son will be killed. So he sets out in search of him, only to come across a corrupt Shaolin monk with extraordinary martial arts abilities. After retreating from the fight, almost killed by the Shaolin Wonderpalm (don't laugh), he shows back up at the doctors house, but a surprise awaits him. The doctor is in fact Iron Monkey. After all he has done for him, he can't possibly turn him in so they join forces in order to defeat the corrupt monk and overthrow the town's ruler.
If you were impressed with some of the fight sequences in Crouching Tiger and The Matrix then you will be glad to know that they are taken one step further with Iron Monkey. The entire climactic fight pits Iron Monkey and Donnie Yen against the corrupted Shaolin monk. Astonishingly, this fight takes place on a series of thin flag poles with a huge fire burning below. It is incredibly well done with breaking poles, fantastic combos and the usual ridiculous things that you'd expect to find in a Yuen Woo-Ping movie - the impossible balancing on these poles while kicking and the standing on each others head to perform a gob-smacking moves.
The DVD itself comes with little extras. An interview with Donnie Yen, 2 trailers, photo galleries, biographies of the main cast and the choice of Cantonese language with subtitles or English dubbing. A little disappointing but what there is, isn't bad.
If you're a fan of The Matrix or Crouching Tiger then you're sure to love this movie, but if you're not too sure about all the flying and floating then you're probably best to steer clear. All in all though, if you like Yuen Woo-Ping then you should buy this DVD. It doesn't quite match either Crouching Tiger or The Matrix, simply because the characters aren't as likeable and the story isn't half as deep, but it is still a fun film and one that can be watched over and over again.
Iron Monkey rocks!
Its Yuen Woo Ping at his usual best, I don't think its fair to say that its "not as good" as Crouching Tiger or Matrix. Iron Monkey is more accesible, easier to follow and is almost pure action. It never gets boring and has amazing re-watch value because of it. I'm not saying that Crouching Tiger or Matrix DO get boring, but the hot kung fu action is interupted by "plot" and "character development". Yes the kung fu is quite impressive in Matrix, but there is more going on in the film, good ideas and such. Crouching Tiger boasts possibly the best kung fu sequences ever but has many things going on in it; love stories, tales of treachery and honour. Its a chinese fairytale with amazing choreography.
What, I feel, puts Iron Monkey on a par with the more well known Yuen Woo Ping films is the fact that its basically an exhibition of Yuen's talent. From start to finish you're taken back by the ridiculousness of the choreography. Its tied neatly together with a simple plot to keep it from being a documentry without it being too distracting.
If you like Kung Fu you'll love Iron Monkey. It has more action of a similar quality than Crouching Tiger and Matrix combined!
(Warning- no bullet time or flying are involved in this film)
Its Yuen Woo Ping at his usual best, I don't think its fair to say that its "not as good" as Crouching Tiger or Matrix. Iron Monkey is more accesible, easier to follow and is almost pure action. It never gets boring and has amazing re-watch value because of it. I'm not saying that Crouching Tiger or Matrix DO get boring, but the hot kung fu action is interupted by "plot" and "character development". Yes the kung fu is quite impressive in Matrix, but there is more going on in the film, good ideas and such. Crouching Tiger boasts possibly the best kung fu sequences ever but has many things going on in it; love stories, tales of treachery and honour. Its a chinese fairytale with amazing choreography.
What, I feel, puts Iron Monkey on a par with the more well known Yuen Woo Ping films is the fact that its basically an exhibition of Yuen's talent. From start to finish you're taken back by the ridiculousness of the choreography. Its tied neatly together with a simple plot to keep it from being a documentry without it being too distracting.
If you like Kung Fu you'll love Iron Monkey. It has more action of a similar quality than Crouching Tiger and Matrix combined!
(Warning- no bullet time or flying are involved in this film)
I would have posted this at UKreviews.com but it wouldn't post. I still had plenty of characters left to use but it still wouldn't post. It happened yesterday with that T2 review that someone did so I can only assume it's something to do with that new rating system.
Iron Monkey is a martial arts film from the action director of 'The Matrix' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
If you've watched any of these 2 films then you probably know that the fight scenes are more than impressive and less than realistic. Most of them involve impossible feats such as running up a 10ft wall and somersaulting backwards or flying through forests, balancing on the narrowest of tree branches. However, no matter how ridiculous they are, they are always great fun to watch, and Iron Monkey is no different.
It stars Donnie Yen as warrior who shows up in a town with his son, only to be arrested on suspicion of being 'Iron Monkey'. This Iron Monkey is rather like a Robin Hood of the town - he steals from the rich and greedy, and gives to the poor. His martial arts skills appear to be unmatched but when Iron Monkey shows up at the court, Donnie Yen reveals his talent.
After a long battle, Iron Monkey manages to escape and Donnie thinks that he is free to go as he can't possibly be Iron Monkey. The town's corrupt ruler however, has other ideas. He realises the oppertunity and forces him to track down and capture Iron Monkey. He must obey or his son dies. Having no choice, he sets out in search for Iron Monkey but soon realises that this character is loved all over town. People refuse to sell him food and throw rocks at him. But still he knows he must find Iron Monkey or son will be killed. So he sets out in search of him, only to come across a corrupt Shaolin monk with extraordinary martial arts abilities. After retreating from the fight, almost killed by the Shaolin Wonderpalm (don't laugh), he shows back up at the doctors house, but a surprise awaits him. The doctor is in fact Iron Monkey. After all he has done for him, he can't possibly turn him in so they join forces in order to defeat the corrupt monk and overthrow the town's ruler.
If you were impressed with some of the fight sequences in Crouching Tiger and The Matrix then you will be glad to know that they are taken one step further with Iron Monkey. The entire climactic fight pits Iron Monkey and Donnie Yen against the corrupted Shaolin monk. Astonishingly, this fight takes place on a series of thin flag poles with a huge fire burning below. It is incredibly well done with breaking poles, fantastic combos and the usual ridiculous things that you'd expect to find in a Yuen Woo-Ping movie - the impossible balancing on these poles while kicking and the standing on each others head to perform a gob-smacking moves.
The DVD itself comes with little extras. An interview with Donnie Yen, 2 trailers, photo galleries, biographies of the main cast and the choice of Cantonese language with subtitles or English dubbing. A little disappointing but what there is, isn't bad.
If you're a fan of The Matrix or Crouching Tiger then you're sure to love this movie, but if you're not too sure about all the flying and floating then you're probably best to steer clear. All in all though, if you like Yuen Woo-Ping then you should buy this DVD. It doesn't quite match either Crouching Tiger or The Matrix, simply because the characters aren't as likeable and the story isn't half as deep, but it is still a fun film and one that can be watched over and over again.
If you've watched any of these 2 films then you probably know that the fight scenes are more than impressive and less than realistic. Most of them involve impossible feats such as running up a 10ft wall and somersaulting backwards or flying through forests, balancing on the narrowest of tree branches. However, no matter how ridiculous they are, they are always great fun to watch, and Iron Monkey is no different.
It stars Donnie Yen as warrior who shows up in a town with his son, only to be arrested on suspicion of being 'Iron Monkey'. This Iron Monkey is rather like a Robin Hood of the town - he steals from the rich and greedy, and gives to the poor. His martial arts skills appear to be unmatched but when Iron Monkey shows up at the court, Donnie Yen reveals his talent.
After a long battle, Iron Monkey manages to escape and Donnie thinks that he is free to go as he can't possibly be Iron Monkey. The town's corrupt ruler however, has other ideas. He realises the oppertunity and forces him to track down and capture Iron Monkey. He must obey or his son dies. Having no choice, he sets out in search for Iron Monkey but soon realises that this character is loved all over town. People refuse to sell him food and throw rocks at him. But still he knows he must find Iron Monkey or son will be killed. So he sets out in search of him, only to come across a corrupt Shaolin monk with extraordinary martial arts abilities. After retreating from the fight, almost killed by the Shaolin Wonderpalm (don't laugh), he shows back up at the doctors house, but a surprise awaits him. The doctor is in fact Iron Monkey. After all he has done for him, he can't possibly turn him in so they join forces in order to defeat the corrupt monk and overthrow the town's ruler.
If you were impressed with some of the fight sequences in Crouching Tiger and The Matrix then you will be glad to know that they are taken one step further with Iron Monkey. The entire climactic fight pits Iron Monkey and Donnie Yen against the corrupted Shaolin monk. Astonishingly, this fight takes place on a series of thin flag poles with a huge fire burning below. It is incredibly well done with breaking poles, fantastic combos and the usual ridiculous things that you'd expect to find in a Yuen Woo-Ping movie - the impossible balancing on these poles while kicking and the standing on each others head to perform a gob-smacking moves.
The DVD itself comes with little extras. An interview with Donnie Yen, 2 trailers, photo galleries, biographies of the main cast and the choice of Cantonese language with subtitles or English dubbing. A little disappointing but what there is, isn't bad.
If you're a fan of The Matrix or Crouching Tiger then you're sure to love this movie, but if you're not too sure about all the flying and floating then you're probably best to steer clear. All in all though, if you like Yuen Woo-Ping then you should buy this DVD. It doesn't quite match either Crouching Tiger or The Matrix, simply because the characters aren't as likeable and the story isn't half as deep, but it is still a fun film and one that can be watched over and over again.