Iron Monkey [Blu-ray]

Okay, I should start by saying that this review is for English dub enthusiasts and I bought the Shout! Factory Blu-ray as an upgrade because I love their stuff. The previous Blu-ray edition I owned said “Quentin Tarantino presents ‘Iron Monkey’” on the cover. I have no idea how Tarantino was involved with this movie (I can’t remember, but I think it was released by Miramax- my apologies if I got it wrong). My point is, if you compare the English dubs between both discs, Shout! Factory’s edition is completely different from the Tarantino edition.First, the Shout! Factory dub is laughably bad. We’re talking MST3K quality bad. They changed fighting stance names like “shadow kick” and “Bhudda’s palm” to “no shadow kick” and “wonder palm.” I can’t hear either without snickering at how ridiculous they sound.Second, the scores on both Blu-ray editions are like night and day. The Tarantino version sounds thematic and intense, but Shout! Factory’s score sounds like the kind of music you’d hear in a Chinese restaurant. There are also a few moments where the score sounds reminiscent of a spaghetti western.Third, the Tarantino disc featured an expositional captioned opening and closing, while Shout! Factory’s cut doesn’t.However, Shout! Factory does have one strength the Tarantino Blu-ray ironically doesn’t: I noticed several more gory, violent shots in some of the fight scenes that I swear my old Tarantino disc didn’t feature. I figured he would have really pulled to keep those in the movie if he had been involved with releasing it in the US.In conclusion, if you prefer your kung fu dubbed and you have the Tarantino Blu-ray, just know what you’re getting and what you’re missing before choosing to upgrade to the Shout! Factory Blu-ray edition.

this movie , this version is better. the newly reproduction - they removed the cool action music in the background as in the fight scenes.Other than that - this is one of those really ancient style movies starring Donnie yen stealing the show. recommended if u havent seen it . donnie yen he works with hong kongs best kung fu stunt coordinator director for fight scenes in this movie with the best real kung fu actors . thats why the movie is entertaining especially the fight scenes.

After seeing (and absolutely loving) Donnie Yen in Hero and Shanghai Knights, I had to have more. Iron Monkey seemed like a good bet, so I bought it.WOW. I hit the jackpot! Rough and comic unlike the serious and elegant Hero. Chinese, Chinese, Chinese unlike the Hollywood Jackie Chan Knights. Plenty of martial arts and good natured humor. From the corrupt Governor and his many giggling wives to the evil monk who -- opps there go the many giggling wives -- to Master Fox, the heart of gold police chief, all the bad guys are comics. When the Governor orders that Iron Monkey must be arrested, the police round up an acrobat who jumps like a monkey, a man who sneezes like a monkey, a man selling...someone leans over and whispers, "Don't even say the word Monkey," but he gets nabbed, too. Even the serious Donnie Yen and Rongguang Yu have a playful chopstick fight over a piece of roasted duck.For those who love flying, there are many scenes with the beautiful antigravity choreography of Woo-Ping Yuen. Probably the most lovely is the first, when the Doctor (Iron Monkey) and Miss Orchid (the nurse) go flying around the room to retrieve a stack of papers which has blown out of their hands at the end of a busy day at the clinic.Although Iron Monkey's father had been killed unjustly and Miss Orchid's son, born of her work as a prostitute slave, dies at birth, in the present tense no one dies which is as it should be with a good old fashioned folk story. Five stars!

This is a great kung fu movie just for being entertaining!

My initial order must've disappeared in transit or something. When I reached out about it Nanako sent out a new one and even confirmed I had the right region plu ray player for good measure. Thank you Rarewaves!As for the movie, this is one of my childhood favorites and it still holds up today. I love the choreography and the storyline alike!

Receive a copy of Iron Monkey Blu Ray, as I Tear the Plastic off the Movie Case and Check the Disc Inside, I Notice the Disc Have Some Slight Scratches on It as If It Was Used, Also the Insert Cover of the Movie Has Some Crimp on the bottom side.

Great storyline and characters. A must watch for anyone that enjoys martial arts films.

I have been a student and instructor of numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Kobudo, Kenjutsu, Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics etc) for more than 60 years. I have also become a fan of the Asian martial arts films such as the award winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and countless other martial art films. This one is in my top ten list of fantastic martial arts films. The acting and colorful scenes in combination with some of the most intense and mind-blowing martial arts action makes this a must own DVD.The story is one to love because it is about the little guy overcoming government corruption, which is something we can all relate to if you live in the Chicgo, lllinois area. The secretive Iron Monkey slinks along in the dead of night to fight for the oppressed people. The government authorities resort to some underhanded tactics to catch the Iron Monkey, but they fail.In conclusion, if you like martial arts films with an excellent story combined with fantastic fight action scenes, you will want to see and own this great movie.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A warrior's memoir)

Acclaimed director and action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping brings us his most grandiose effort yet. Exhibiting his mastery of the wire movie, as displayed in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, he brings us this highly entertaining period piece revolving around the father of legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung (played incredibly convincingly by a young girl!) joining forces with a Robin Hood-esque outlaw who robs from the corrupt and gives to the poor by night, and by day runs a clinic. Phenomenal Martial Arts player Donnie Yen, who can be seen in Shanghai Knights and Blade II, stars alongside Mainland Chinese Peking Opera Player Yu Rong Kwong in what is a highly ammusing action comedy. Iron Monkey provides all the slapstick you would expect from a Hong Kong movie, as Yuen Woo Ping takes us through the corrupt Manchu governments quest to capture the title character, which culminates in a showdown above a flaming pit that really has to be seen to be believed. True Martial Arts fans should note that this DVD also provides two documentaries on Wu Shu Forms, along with interviews with leading cast members, Iron Monkey promotional trailers, and some glimpses of hot forthcoming titles. This title is an absolutely integral addition to the DVD collection of even the most casual admirer of Hong Kong Cinema. Miss it at your peril.

The mysterious masked man Iron Monkey robs from the rich to give to the poor in 1800's China. Based on a Chinese legend, this is a spectacular martial arts epic. Very funny in places too with superb martial arts action and Donnie Yen giving one of his best performances as a kind of Chinese version of Robin Hood. One of the best martial arts films ever made.

This movie has a very classic story, but the fighting scenes are where it really shines.Directed and choreographed by Yuen Woo Ping, fighters defy gravity in intense, over the top, rapid and thrilling sequences.Audio is decent (nothing spectacular) and picture is quite crisp even though there are some noise during scenes at night. Overall the quality is better than the DVD version and I don't regret buying it.

I really enjoyed this film, the fight scenes are amazing, the story line was easy to follow. Had to laugh at the dubbing in English, I turned that off and went onto the Cantonese version with English subs which made it much more enjoyable. My son will love this film , and I'm looking forward to watching it again . Well packaged and fast shipment thanks

This is a must have for any martial arts movie fan, also if you're a donnie yen fan then this is a must see. They don't make them like this anymore.