Directed by Peter Chan Ho-sun, starring Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tang Wei. Average, everyday father/husband Liu Jinxi (Yen) begins his day like any other, he eats breakfast with his wife (Tang) and two sons before heading to work at the mill. However, this early 20th Century day turns out to be anything but ordinary, when Jinxi happens upon a robbery. After a struggle, the robbers are dead, Jinxi becomes a local hero and catches the interest of a police investigator (Kaneshiro).
The investigator studies the crime scene and eye-witness accounts and determines the robbers could only have been stopped by a fugitive murderer with great skill in martial arts. Jinxi's life is soon turned upside down when the investigator's brand of morals exposes Jinxi's true identity and brings certain death to anyone that stands in the way of his former life. It is then that the two men come to a crossroads; Liu Jinxi must decide who he is, and the investigator must decide what is more important, law, or humanity.
This latest film from Peter Chan Ho-sun is a nice update/homage to the days of old when the Wu Xia Genre of films was Hong Kong's chief export. Hong Kong Cinema fans should delight in the addition of Jimmy Wang, best known as The One-Armed Swordsman, to Wu Xia's already stellar cast. The principal actors, Yen, Takeshi and Tang, all perform exceptionally well, Yen in particular. Known more for his physical attributes (having served as action director as well), Yen's subdued performance is impressive.
Beyond a blockbuster director, an all-star cast and an exciting martial arts genre update, Wu Xia is an intricate and engaging drama. Going from police procedural, to martial arts actioner to thoughtful drama, Wu Xia is complex, but well balanced and paced. To call it one of the top five films from 2011 is am easy thing to do. I highly recommend it.
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