His shame from this devastating loss leads to his self exile. This brings to the middle section of the film which is distinctly lacking in action. This has Huo living on a farm, where he has his discovery of self. He learns more about himself living with these simple people. It is here that he learns his errors and what he must do to redeem himself. This brings us to the third and final act.
The final third of the movie has Huo returning home and finding his people in trouble, they are facing hard times. The Europeans and Japanese have been carving out their own foothold on the nation, undermining the Chinese. Huo agrees to enter a tournament pitting him against four other champions from other countries. Huo accepts the challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to demonstrate the new him as well as give back to the country that is falling apart from within.
Beyond the personal drama that Huo Yuanjia goes through, his cockiness leading to devastating loss and turning to his journey into self, this is a big time action film. The battles are some of the best I have seen on the big screen. There is a reality to the majority of them that has been missing from many martial arts films of late. There is a noticeable lack of wire work and CGI, it is there, but it is relegated to the minimum. The fights are incredible, they do a great job of showing off Jet Li's considerable skills.
The film was directed by Ronny Yu (The Bride with White Hair, Bride of Chucky) and he has succeeded in bringing the story to life. The movie has a nice balance of action and drama, giving the needed weight to what is going on in the country and with Huo Yuanjia. The film has nice cinematography, excellent fight choreography from Yuen Woo Ping, and a first rate score from Shiugeru Umebayashi.
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