03-22-2021, 10:03 PM
I just saw the screener. I've been tracking this film because there's been such good buzz. I'll likely interview some cast member in April for its premiere in May for KFM.
This is one of the most engaging martial arts flicks I've seen in a while. It's heartfelt - a dramedy that captures the spirit of suburban Kung Fu with charm and reverence. Three old disciples reunite after their master's mysterious death. It's witty and observant for Kung Fu practitioners.
The cast is mostly unknowns - Ron Yuan as the Sifu, Yuji Okumoto (Chozen from the Karate Kid) as a waiter (he was a producer), Matthew Page (Master Ken) in a show stealing gwailo sifu role. I didn't recognize the three leads at all.
The wackiest thing is that a little Kung Fu brother of the cf's and mine does utility stunts - Ron Raymundo - he was just a punk kid when we knew him. Turns out his got a handful of stunt credits on IMDb now.
The fight choreo is solid. Director Quoc Bao Tran is a protégé of Corey Yuen.
The comic timing is a tad amateur, but it works. It's the story and characters that make it engaging. Maybe I'm just on the rebound after Jiu Jitsu, but it was refreshing to see.
No sword fights. There's a pudao fight, but it's not that impressive. DOOM recommended.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse