Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer

Jet Li (left) and Chen Zhihui in a scene from the movie 'Fearless.' - Contributed

If one has to say goodbye to something that they are fantastically good at, it is important to make it a very eloquent farewell, one that can resound in the memories of those to whom you are saying goodbye. In a clear understanding of that, with the martial arts epic Fearless, Jet Li has found an outstanding way to say goodbye to the genre.

Fearless is a fantastic film that speaks eloquently to how far the martial arts flicks have come. Directed by Ronny Yu and fight choreography by Woo-ping Yuen (The Matrix trilogy, and Kill Bill), Fearless has enough fighting to satisfy those who merely want to see Jet Li kick posterior almighty. However, the film also has sufficient emotional depth for those who seek more. It is well directed, well written, and beautifully executed.

Chinese-made martial arts films have long outgrown the need to use over dubbing in English which resulted in the laughable situation of the words ending long before the lips stopped moving. As more filmmakers and actors have crossed over into Hollywood, the films have either used better voice overs or simply had the courage to go as foreign language films.

Fearless goes for that second option, and even if you miss some of the words, it loses nothing in translation. In many ways Fearless gets back to the basics of the old- school martial arts flick and exemplifies why we call them kickers. Fearless certainly has a kick to it.

Take notice

The fight choreography is breathtaking and occasionally, it might just make your hair stand up and take notice. Contemporary martial arts epics have gone for the grandeur and fluid beauty and cinematography celebrating martial arts when it appears for its fluid grace, and also working with fantastic cinematography. Fearless on the other hand, focuses on the deadly grace of the martial arts, and it is always wonderful to see Jet Li dance.

When Hollywood discovered the magic of wire work, they immediately believed that it meant that everyone can look like a deadly fighter. However, martial artists like Jet Li make it clear that there is a distinct difference between going through the moves and being fantastic at it.

Li plays Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia. The film, written by Chris Chow and Christine To, shows Huo's movement from being a bragging boy to a man who understands that there is more to fighting and to life than seeking vengeance. As such, Fearless points to the majesty that can exist when good sportsmanship and selflessness are combined.

As such, the film also allows Jet Li to once again demonstrate that he can do more for a film than deliver a well placed kick. As he moves from arrogance to despair and then to spirituality, Fearless also presents a great dramatic vehicle for Li's acting talent as the emotional depth and physical intensity of the film do battle for supremacy. The result is that Fearless is fantastic. It is a high kick of martial arts cinema.