Da lui toi

Hong Kong 2010, 98 min.

Cantonese with English and Czech subtitles

director: Derek Kwok Chi-Kin, Clement Cheng Si-Kit

starring: Wong Yau-Nam, Chen Kuan-Tai, Bruce Leung Siu-Lung, Teddy Robin Kwan, JJ Jia Xiao-Chen, Siu Yam-Yam, Michael Chan Wai-Man

distributor: Focus Films

This thrilling tribute to the classic kung-fu films of the 1960s and 1970s and their protagonists combines humour and self-irony to tell the story of a young outsider who becomes a disciple of two old martial artists. Here, the classical narrative structure of an inexperienced hero who learns the true essence of martial arts is given a makeover that mixes hyperbole and admiration for old films with elaborate choreography. Featuring impressive sequences with vital sixty-year-old guys fighting with young martial artists without computer tricks or stunt doubles, the film is also a practical proof of the benefits of years of training. Gallants dodge old-fashioned Hollywood celebrations of action stars in the past decades and bring a perfectly balanced mix of nostalgia, humour, and critical perspective.