DVD Review: "Excuse me! Can you translate my English to him so that his English can understand mine?" Ugh! Stupid Dimension Films. And on a further note: I hate a lot of Chinese music soundtracks, particularly the montage stuff so the Americanized music was a lot better. But still the English dubbing was abysmal mostly due to incoherence. But eh well!

Blu Ray Review: The CMS Media Limited version. Excellent video transfer and the picture quality is good. The sound is good and in original Chinese form. I HATE THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK but oh well. And it plays on American Blu-Ray just in case you have some level of doubt. And no extras other than a dumb-a$$ trailer.

Movie Review: This movie may not live up to the standards of some Jet Li fans as the fight sequences have a more American feel to it kinda like Bloodsport (Van Damme) or something. Or perhaps the story and its satirical tone will f*** people up and make them insane. Unfortunately, I liked it. It does have that Tsui Hark touch of inconsistent tone. Example: Having a cute and funny moment then suddenly have a grisly blood splatter scene in the next but if you know Tsui Hark, you know his level of eccentricity. AND I LOVE IT! The story was good and consistent, some characters were good as others should of died from the word "GO", the action scenes were fun to watch but is not in traditional Chinese kung fu choreography, and all that. I did, however, HATE the soundtrack and the stupid montage. Montages NEED TO GO AWAY in Chinese cinema because they annoying and they suck!!!!!

Conclusion: 4 1/2 for the Blu-Ray, 3 for the Dimension Film DVD version and 4 stars for The Master.

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iMetalG5

Great fun flick! Don't take it seriously!

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2013

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Very funny flick. Its a "no brainer" type of slap stick comedy kung-fu movie. I enjoyed it a ton and love how it was filmed in LA in the late 80s! The overdub is terrible but that's what makes it so funny in a way. Yeah its not his best film but if you are a die hard Jet Li fan you must have this one. Its kinda one of those movies you watch on a rainy day to relax and have a laugh. Don't get this DVD thinking its going to be one of his best fighting movies, etc... Its poor in a way yet fun and cool.

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T-Man

Only for Jet Li collectors

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019

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One of the most important things to note about this movie is that the actual CHINESE title is "Wong Fei Hung 1992." But why do they use "1992"? Wasn't this movie filmed in 1989? Yes, it was, but even Golden Harvest was too embarrassed by this film to release it, until after Jet Li became famous via "Once Upon a Time in China!"

If all you want is just to see some more Jet Li action, then it's fine to add this movie to your collection. But warning: you will not get any kind of coherent plot!

The movie itself was filmed in Los Angeles in 1989, and features a diverse cast of white, black and brown Americans, along with Chinese ones. Jet Li plays a "fish out of water" type character who knows almost no English. He wishes to work at the Chinese medicine clinic of his old master Tak. But before Jet arrives, Tak's clinic has been destroyed by Johnny, a mullet-wearing martial artists who is also a former student of Tak's. For whatever the reason, he's angry and bitter and Master Tak and wishes to make his life a living hell. Johnny and his gang of fellow martial artists are also trying to shut down other martial arts schools in the area with violence.

When Jet arrives in Los Angeles, the first thing that happens to him is he is robbed by a trio of Latino gangsters. However, Jet manages to chase them down using incredible acrobatic skills, and the gangsters are so impressed that they continuously follow him around, begging him to teach them kung fu. Later, Jet finds that Master Tak has taken refuge with Anna (Anna Rickets), an unemployed gymnast who helps Uncle Tak heal from his injuries.

I won't go any further into the plot. There's a reason why this movie doesn't work, even among Chinese audiences. The entire plot premise is extremely anachronistic. It might work for a film that takes place in pre-20th century China, but not in a modern day WESTERN setting! The other reason why this movie fails is because there's no real character development. What do these character learn besides a little kung fu? How do they grow?

Furthermore, why is Johnny so hell bent on making his old master's life a living hell? Why is he so angry and bitter? THAT would have been a nice question to answer, because Johnny simply has no developed motives.

I'm giving this 3 stars instead of 4 because it's the Miramax/Dimension DVD. If you want to see this movie in its purest form, I recommend buying the Region 2 HKL (Hong Kong Legends) DVD. HKL's DVD has plenty of interesting special features (i.e. interviews with cast), and it's very English-friendly. It'll even translate the lyrics to the songs that play in the film. There's even blu-ray by Kam & Ronson but it'll most likely be upscaled and it won't have English subs for the song.

Miramax's version actually makes this movie worse. I admit that some of cuts they made were justified, because this film has so much wrong with it in terms of plot. But their English dub is the worst, as it completely eliminates all language barriers (which are important to the film). To fair, HKL's English dub also eliminates language barriers but Miramax's dub at least TRIES to remind you that there are in fact language barriers. But Miramax's dub also has an awful score and weaker sound effects.

So yeah, don't watch the movie expecting any interesting plot. The actions itself is decent enough but nothing on the same level as "Once Upon a Time In China" or "Born to Defend." It might rank high by American/western standards, but it's mediocre by Hong Kong/Chinese standards.

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Marc Siegfried Poss

The Master

Reviewed in Germany on January 12, 2024

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Spitzen Service, super, super Film

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Ash

Fantastic Fight scene

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2023

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This is an Excellent Film Jet Li The Master watched it on vhs back in the 90s
The picture and sound quality is superb jet is a great martial artist and actor highly recommended the film on bluray by 88films

terry viddal

Talent at its Highest Level.

Reviewed in Canada on June 18, 2020

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Even with just one camera focused on Lenny Breau, and a small audience who asked him questions about his techniques this a great video. The picture quality is not the best, but DVDs of this man are very very limited. Many live Lenny Breau videos on YouTube, but having this DVD to play whenever I want makes it a Treasure!!!

Jackie V

Satisfecho

Reviewed in Mexico on February 23, 2017

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Muy buenas película, sus inicios de JET LI en América, no fue lo máximo pero muy buenas escenas de combate

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