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Kung fu superstar Jet Li (
Romeo Must Die,
The One, the
Once Upon a Time in China series) makes his directorial debut with
Born to Defense. When a Chinese soldier (Li) returns from fighting Japan, he discovers that his home town has become a base for the American navy. The arrogant and abusive sailors treat the locals with brutal disrespect, stirring up anger and violence. Of course, Li comes to the defense of an old friend and his daughter, who's been forced into prostitution. It's a good thing Li hasn't quit acting; the script is pure melodrama and Li's fledgling direction doesn't rise above that. But, as ever, the fight sequences are many and vigorous, especially a lengthy one-on-one donnybrook in a rain-drenched boxing ring between the diminutive Li and a huge naval officer.
--Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Title(s) AKA: Born To Defend Languages: ENGLISH
Cantonese
Mandarin
Subtitles: ENGLISH
Film Director(s): Jet Li Lian-Jie
Film Producer(s): Fu Chi
Action Director(s): Tsui Siu-Ming
Released: 1988 [Hong Kong]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Sub-Genre: Martial Arts
Cast: Jet Li Lian-Jie || Kurt Roland Petersson || Sung Gaai || Biu Law Do || Paulo Tocha.
Running Time: 91 mins. (approx.)
Set in 1945, the end of World War II, a retired Chinese army officer (Jet Li) came to Tsing Tao to look for a new life. At that time, the U.S. Army was still stationed in Tsing Tao. One night an arrogant U.S. officer was driving recklessly on the street and hit an innocent pedestrian. Li rushed to help the wounded but got into a fight with a group of U.S. officers. Though Li defeated the officers, he was pursued relentlessly by these people. To survive, Li had to fight for his life.
Apart from using his advanced kung fu skills, Jet Li demonstrates an incredible Americanized boxing style--one completely different from what you usual see him perform--and that is a real treat.
