Iron Monkey 1 (1993)

Donnie Yen and Ringo Yu tag teaming as a corruption fighting duo? Be still my fan girl heart! Throw in a female kung fu expert sidekick and a young Wong Fei Hung with Yuen Woo Ping directing and there's not much more I could have asked for.

The story was simple. Dr. Yang and his trusty sidekick Miss Orchard tended to the sick during the day and at night robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and downtrodden. Dr. Yang was a cross between Robin Hood and Batman. In walked one of the Ten Tigers of Canton, Wong Kei Ying, and his teenage son Wong Fei Hung (played by Angie Tsang!). Initially at odds, it didn't take long for the two honorable men to recognize what was going on and what needed to be done. Along for the ride was Commissioner Gordon, I mean Master Fox, played by Yuen Shun Yee, who also provided a little comic relief. Team Iron Monkey was ready with fists, kicks, and righteous anger to take on any evil doers! They had to make a grandstand against a corrupt governor, disgraced, evil Shaolin monks, and the governor's boss who was a super powerful ex-monk. There was a little more to it, but that was the gist of the story.

The fights were fast, creative, and fun to watch. All of the good guys had time showing their kung fu stuff. When Yuen Woo Ping is in charge you know you are in for a treat. Donnie Yen has amazing footwork and it was highlighted in several scenes. The majority of this short movie involved fight scenes which would usually be a detriment for me, I enjoy at least some character development, but everyone on Team Iron Monkey was so quick, likeable, and graceful it didn't matter to me in this movie.

There were hints of romance, brief heartwarming moments and cringeless humor (for the most part). The story moved forward at the speed of Donnie's punches.

I scored this movie simply on the sheer joy I received from watching it. People who don't enjoy kung fu movies and wire fu might not enjoy it, but for those who do, this is definitely one to give a try.

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