With a career spanning more than half a century, Yuen Woo-ping has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest martial arts filmmakers of all time. While Western audiences readily associate his name with the groundbreaking action choreography in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix trilogy, and Kill Bill, his influence extends far beyond Hollywood, encompassing classics such as Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, Drunken Master, Iron Monkey, and Tai-Chi Master. Now, at 80 years old, Yuen returns with Blades of the Guardians, a film that many are already hailing as his most ambitious work to date.
Adapted from Xianzhe Xu’s comic series, Blades of the Guardians delivers a modern take on the wuxia genre, boasting sweeping desert landscapes, a complex narrative, and, unsurprisingly, breathtaking martial arts sequences. While it may not reach the artistic heights of films like Zhang Yimou’s Hero, Yuen, alongside action choreographer Shan Peng Dang, successfully delivers a visually stunning and action-packed experience. The film skillfully integrates CGI, but crucially, the visual effects complement, rather than overshadow, the impressive physical skills of the cast.
The action sequences themselves are a standout feature. A veteran of the genre, one reviewer noted being compelled to rewind moments to fully appreciate the originality and execution of the fight choreography. A particularly memorable scene unfolds during a fierce sandstorm, where Yuen utilizes the environment to create a surreal and intense swordfight reminiscent of the visual style of Mad Max: Fury Road. This innovative approach demonstrates Yuen’s continued ability to push the boundaries of the genre, even after decades in the industry.
The story centers on Dao Ma (Wu Jing), a former soldier turned bounty hunter, traveling the wilderness with his adopted son. He’s tasked with escorting Zhi Shilang (Sun Yizhou), a rebel who has become a wanted man after opposing the corrupt government. Their journey is predictably fraught with peril, encountering government forces, rival bounty hunters, desert clans vying for the reward, and figures from Dao Ma’s past. The narrative, while expansive, occasionally feels overstuffed, introducing new characters and storylines at a rapid pace.
The film’s ambition in world-building, and the sheer number of characters introduced, suggest the potential for a series. However, this also leads to some storylines feeling underdeveloped. The reviewer notes that while the film clocks in at two hours, an additional 15-20 minutes could have allowed for a more thorough exploration of these secondary narratives, such as a young warrior’s struggle against clan expectations or a former comrade’s quest for redemption.
The cast is a significant draw, led by Wu Jing, who has become a major star in Chinese cinema with roles in blockbusters like Wolf Warrior 2 and The Wandering Earth. His casting feels particularly fitting, given that Yuen Woo-ping discovered him and gave him his first starring role in 1996’s Tai Chi Boxer. However, the presence of Jet Li and Tony Leung Ka-fai elevates the film to another level.
Li, who previously starred in several of Yuen’s most celebrated films, delivers a compelling performance as a devious general determined to capture Dao Ma. Despite a reduced role in recent years – his last live-action appearance was as The Emperor in 2020’s Mulan – Li’s performance is far from a cameo, showcasing his enduring martial arts prowess. Leung Ka-fai brings a gravitas to the role of Lao Mo, Dao Ma’s benefactor, torn between his personal honor, clan obligations, and familial love.
The return of Yuen Woo-ping to feature filmmaking after nearly a decade is a welcome event for fans of martial arts cinema. Blades of the Guardians demonstrates that the 80-year-old director remains a master of his craft, capable of delivering action sequences that are both grand in scale and intimately thrilling. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score suggests a critical consensus that this is a “martial arts masterpiece,” and early reviews echo that sentiment, praising Yuen’s continued innovation and the film’s overall quality. While it may not surpass the heights of his earlier work like Iron Monkey or Tai Chi Master, Blades of the Guardians is a significant achievement and a testament to Yuen Woo-ping’s enduring influence on the genre. The film currently holds a 7.5 rating on IMDb as of .
