True Legend

Set in China, circa 1861, martial-arts-choreographer-turned-director Yuen Woo Ping's True Legend centers on acclaimed Qing warrior Gen. Su Can (Vincent Zhao), who retires after rescuing a prince in battle. Offered a high post in the government, Su suggests that his adopted brother Yuan (Andy On) take the position instead, because peace-seeking Su is far more interested in marrying Yuan's sister Ying (Zhou Xun) and subsequently raising their son Feng (Guo Xinadong), as well as coaching students in wushu. But treacherous Yuan, who has always been jealous of Su, is determined to take revenge for the death of his birth father, who died at the hands of Su's father years earlier. With golden armor sewn into his skin to make him invincible and wielding a deadly technique called the Five Venom Fists, Yuan fights Su, leaving him critically injured. With the help of reclusive Dr. Yu (Michelle Yeoh) and Ying, Su recovers, determined to rescue little Feng, whom Yuan has kidnapped. While martial arts fanatics may relish this brutal, action-packed, family-feud fantasy, for many this will be a tedious slog due to the muddled storytelling. An optional purchase. (S. Granger)