To call Martial Arts films formulaic is to state the obvious. And such observations almost always miss the point. It's a foregone conclusion that many viewers will gripe about Iron Monkey's plot. I've heard words like "trite", "non-existent", "predictable"...

Perhaps... But what also needs to be stated, very clearly, is that Iron Monkey is one of the best examples of the true Martial Arts film that I've ever seen. It recaptures a feeling that hasn't been with us since the Shaw Brothers were making films in the 70's.

When dealing with these types of movies, only one plot matters : Traitor kills master/destroys Shaolin temple. Students avenge master's death/temple's destruction. Throw in a few corrupt local politicians and civil servants, couple it with the best action sequences this side of Enter The Dragon, and you have yourself a winner.

And Iron Monkey is definitely that.

Who's in it? Does it really matter? Probably not. Some of the best Martial Arts films to which we in the West are treated, star actors we know nothing about. But we enjoy them just the same. We don't necessarily need a Jet Li or Jackie Chan to make a film like "Iron Monkey" as cool as it is (I have no idea who starred in 1978's "The Five Deadly Venoms", yet I own it on DVD and video, both in Widescreen and Standard formats). Remember : the fans are there to see the action sequences, not deconstruct the socio-political tapestry against which the movie is set.

Speaking of action sequences, "Iron Monkey" is among the greatest examples of what exceptional choreography can do for an action film. Directed by Woo-Ping Yuen, we are treated to the best of the best from this legendary director/fight coordinator. Yes, he worked on "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", last year's curiously acclaimed "Martial Arts" film. The art-house crowd aside, though, let us not forget the collective roundhouse he gave us in "The Matrix", as well as his work on what could arguably be another contender in The Best Martial Arts Film Ever category, "Fist Of Legend" (itself a remake of Bruce Lee's excellent Fists Of Fury). In fact, not since Bruce Lee's films of the 70's have we been treated to such a thrilling and dynamic display of combat as in Iron Monkey.

And that's as it should be. I've waited through too many ripoffs during the 80's, after the flow of what came to be called "Chop Sockeys" from Hong Kong simply dried up. Instead, I had to suffer through such nonsense as "Nine Deaths Of The Ninja", and "Bloodsport". Pretenders to the throne! The films may or may not have been passable, but they all lacked heart. "Iron Monkey" restores the soul to a genre that has always been near and dear to my heart. Yes, "Iron Monkey" is silly at times, as are most of the best Martial Arts films. But with such ambition and adrenaline, I am willing to forgive much.

A little side note for other fans of the genre : This movie introduces the character of Wong Fei-hong, the principle character in the excellent "Once Upon A Time In China" series. A great bonus for those of us that are faithful to the classics. Raise a glass to the memory of the Shaw Brothers, and let's hope this represents a return to days of Kung-Fu yore!

Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older