Legendary Assassin
Legendary Assassin Jacky Wu Jing, Celina Jade, Sammy Leung, Alex Fong Lik-sun Directors: Jacky Wu Jing and Nicky Li Chung-chi
Beijing-bred martial arts champ Jacky Wu Jing takes the reins of director-star for the first time and proves he's capable of turning out an enjoyable, unpretentious action picture. Wu is usually cast in supporting roles but here he proves he is capable of carrying a small-scale feature, with the emphasis on kung fu rather than histrionics.
While the production is modest in terms of ambition, budget and imagination, the tight pacing and balance between action and humour are sufficient to make this a satisfying 'B' movie.
The movie is set on an unspecified outlying island, giving the antics a refreshing, non-urban tinge. The director makes good use of the narrow lanes and low-rise buildings for the unostentatious action scenes.
Bo (Wu) is one of those strong, silent type heroes whose motives are so virtuous he can get away with murder. Literally. But before the 'legendary assassin' can make a getaway from the film's first kill, he finds himself stranded when the ferry service is suspended due to an imminent typhoon. All the better to rescue a beautiful cop in distress (model Celina Jade in her film debut) and interact with the village's police force, which includes jealous Sammy Leung, preening Alex Fong and good-natured Hui Siu-hung.
The movie alternates between pleasant camaraderie and relatively authentic fight sequences as Bo attempts to keep his true identity a secret while battling bad guys such as gangster Lam Suet and his henchman Ken Lo Wai-kwong. The overall effect is genial though hardly legendary.
