The first reactions to director Yuen Woo-ping’s return to the action-packed world of wuxia confirm that, yes, it is one of the best martial arts epics in years. Not only does the movie mark the triumphant return of action legend Jet Li (who can be seen in action in the new trailer below), but it also seemingly delivers an epic action blockbuster brimming with star power, stunning wirework, and “martial arts mayhem.”
Based on the comic of the same name by Xianzhe Xu, Blades of the Guardians boasts one of the defining figures in action cinema at the helm, Yuen Woo-ping, whose work as both filmmaker and action choreographer in the likes of Drunken Master and Fist of Legend to The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Kill Bill, has shaped cinematic combat. And, according to these first reactions, he’s very much still got it.
Turning to Letterboxd, one of several near-perfect 4/5 reviews says, “Woo-Ping is still creative as ever in this epic saga with a strong assemble cast and one heck of an appearance by Jet Li and Max Zhang at the very start that treats us to Woo-Pings trademark wire work with some new school flare.” While another adds, “Yuen Woo-ping’s Western riff of a Wuxia story is as mainstream and uncomplicated as it gets. But as a mainstream blockbuster, it delivers the star power, big budget sheen and action goods.” Ultimately, it sounds like Blades of the Guardians is just the martial arts action epic you’ve been looking for.
“If you want a big budget action epic to see in the cinema, Blades of the Guardians has you covered. One of those movies that just feels as big as it’s trying to be and is entertaining as hell.”
‘Blades of the Guardians’ Is Well Worth Seeing in a Movie Theater
Further reactions on X/Twitter declared Blades of the Guardians “a grand old time, a feast of martial arts mayhem worth seeing in a movie theater,” and “super awesome! Love the epic fighting scenes & unstoppable actions! Highly recommended.” So, thankfully, Blades of the Guardians has proven what we’d all hoped as it emerges as a worthy return for genre icons Yuen Woo-ping and Jet Li.
Blades of the Guardians finds action stars from across generations exchanging punches on the big screen, with Jet Li (Hero) featuring in one of his first full-scale martial arts performances in years, alongside contemporary action figures Wu Jing (The Wandering Earth, Meg 2: The Trench), Nicholas Tse (Raging Fire), and Max Zhang (The Grandmaster), with veteran dramatic presence from Tony Leung Ka-fai (Election) and Kara Wai (My Young Auntie). Blades of the Guardians is playing in theaters in the U.S. and Canada now, courtesy of Well Go USA, and you can check out the official synopsis below…
“Set during the Sui Dynasty under the rule of the oppressive Emperor Yang Guang, BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS follows a skilled mercenary (Biao Ren) as he treks across the harsh deserts of the Western Regions. Tasked with a seemingly simple escort mission, the warrior unknowingly becomes caught in a perilous scheme that promises danger at every turn.”
- Director
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Yuen Wo-Ping
- Writers
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Su Chaobin
- Producers
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Wu Jing
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