Light on story, boring dialog, but that's okay because this is an action film. Acting is cringingly bad, even for an action film.This is basically a martial arts film made with a bunch of stunt men doing acting duty. The ones that do look the part/have decent acting, unfortunately can't fight. When the scene is stunt man vs stunt man, the fighting looks good, even when it's just an unimportant background fight. When the scene calls for stunt man vs non stunt man... the fight is boring even when it's the "featured" fight.Spoilers coming, although really there's not much to spoil. The hero has to fight three "bosses".The first boss fight is against a guy suffering from gigantism, like Andre the Giant, except without the athleticism. The guy basically poses in an uncoordinated way while the hero beats on him. This is a "look" actor, for his imposing size, no acting skills, no stunt work skills, boring fight.The second boss fight "Crazy Monkey" is actually crazy good. After you've managed to survive his acting, you will be rewarded with a very well choreographed and creative fight. This is a "stunt" actor, just like the hero. No looks, no acting skills, but excellent stunt work.The third and final fight is against the boss a.k.a. steroid boy. I had high hopes for steroid boy. He managed to pull off a menacing and driven persona, and looks quite impressively intimidating. Unfortunately this guy is no stunt man. He's slow, and not used to martial arts movements. Studio magic was used to fix this such as speeding up the frames, to varying amounts of success. But overall the fight ended up being pretty boring.This film gets a 6 from the strength of the Crazy Monkey fight alone, it is very well done. I would say fast forward and just watch the Crazy Monkey fight.
... View MoreIf it actually a had a better (more decent) story this would be even better. But as it is, this is an amazing display in action choreography. There's always favorites in terms of, what people will like to see shown in a hands on (sorry for the pun) movie like this. And while this does not fail to deliver (framing, sound and setting in general, not to mention the choreography itself), some might want other things from their action movies.But if you're in it for the really well executed (no pun intended here) scenes of (pretend) violence, look no further. The story as written before is very simple, but it's nothing more than an excuse for people to get it on (fighting-wise). A really more than decent effort in the martial arts scene
... View MoreThis movie is bad ass! This is a classic Kung Fu style cinema with a modern day MMA influence. The subject matter is religious based (dogma,indoctrination) and coincides with the persecution of the Buddhist monks in China. It also incorporates the invasion of the Japanese in China. It may be a touchy subject for some but I took it for what it is...a fighting movie. There were your usual cheesy scenes that you would find in any Kung Fu movie but it wasn't too bothersome. The movie had a great musical score and the over dubs were not bad at all, except for the annoying kids. I highly recommend this movie if you're a fight fan or enthusiast. 7/10
... View MoreVajra, simply a title to one who has no defeat. This was a good film of action, despair, and the truth. In the life of one man who stood against all odds of Hades Shi,(Yu Xing) must fight against an opponent who is his equal. In the shrine of Hades children are taken away, and then sold as would be warriors to the shrine in order for them to spread the word of evil. Shi however does not see it that way after he killed his own brother with his own hand to prove to the shrine that he is a ready acolyte. Yet in his turmoil, left the shrine with a heavy conscience and became a disciple in a Shaolin temple. Years later he comes back to the shrine to stop his rival, and free the new batch of children taken away from their homes. In the middle is Eko (Yamei Zhang) who is a photo journalist in order for her to spread the truth about the shrine of it being a non-malignant entity. But to her seeing all of the killing within the ranks causes her to stop believing in lies, and become someone who must speak the real truth.It is a great action film set only in a shrine. Yet the different locations within this estate were always different, so it kept you wondering what's behind door number one or number two. The music was top notch, plus the actors themselves are always just as passionate when they deliver their lines. I particularly like Hiroyuki Ikeuchi who plays a bit part of a Hades acolyte. Even as small a part as his, he delivered brilliantly. Always a big fan of him since Ipman when he played the deranged Japanese general.For those who like martial arts at their best, this is it. Although not a fully hammered story, which simply means that this was an example of the classic Ying/Yang theory. Good versus evil, and the like. What it really amounts to is choice. To choose your own path to follow rather than blindly following a tyrant, and sink into despair soon after. Ultimately The Wrath Of Vajra is a great hero worship film, where the real heroes come out on top in victory. Recommended for those over fourteen.
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