In 1937, a Chinese martial artist (Jet Li) returns to Shanghai to find his teacher dead and his school harassed by the Japanese. (The film is a remake of the 1972 "Fist of Fury", which starred Bruce Lee as the lead character.)
This film is hailed as influential; for example, "Fist of Legend" inspired the Wachowskis to hire choreographer Yuen Woo-ping for the fight scenes in "The Matrix" (1999). The style of fighting in the two films therefore bears some resemblance. Apparently, it was also a model for other American films from the late 1990s onward.
Being no expert on martial arts films, I couldn't say why this one had an impact when so many others did not. Maybe it was just brought to the United Sates by Miramax at the right time? If nothing else, the production value is worlds ahead of the classic Shaw Brothers films.
This film is hailed as influential; for example, "Fist of Legend" inspired the Wachowskis to hire choreographer Yuen Woo-ping for the fight scenes in "The Matrix" (1999). The style of fighting in the two films therefore bears some resemblance. Apparently, it was also a model for other American films from the late 1990s onward.
Being no expert on martial arts films, I couldn't say why this one had an impact when so many others did not. Maybe it was just brought to the United Sates by Miramax at the right time? If nothing else, the production value is worlds ahead of the classic Shaw Brothers films.