Hearing "Jet Li" or seeing him on the cover in a martial arts pose with a weapon probably turns a lot of people off and that's a shame because they're missing a hell of a movie.
Jet Li's Fearless (2006) tells the real life story of Huo Yuanjia. He was a martial arts master and founder of Jin Wu Sports Federation.
This is not a "kung fu" movie.
This is a film about a man's life, a country trying to find it's identity, pride, and honor.
The story of Huo Yuanjia is told very well. The only exception being a gap between childhood and adulthood. I only mention that because there just seems to be something missing in the story from that part of his life. I know his parents most likely died during that time, which would've been a significant influence on his life.
I did like how they pulled no punches in the portrayal of the character. They had no problem showing his arrogance or ignorance and how the biggest moment of his life was shaped by those two traits.
The acting and pacing are fantastic. You will know this person by the time the movie is over and that's a sign of good storytelling.
Hun Yuanjia was as much a hero as he was a walking tragedy. I don't know how much of the story they got right, but this man lived a fantastic, yet horrible life.
By the way, I had better mention the fight scenes, which are actually quite secondary to the story. There are really only a few fight scenes in the film. Picture the fight scenes as real and graceful, but with a touch of the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" superhuman stuff. Nobody's jumping 30 feet into the air, but there's definitely some dancing going on in these fights.
Overall, it's a well told and acted story about a very interesting man. I recommend it for any fan of dramas, the Chinese culture, martial arts films, Jet Li, good acting, etc.
8 out of 10.