Donnie Yen Movies
A sharp-skilled martial artist who has gone on to a successful career as a director and choreographer, Donnie Yen has found success in both his homeland China and in the hustle and bustle of Tinsletown. Working on projects ranging from the traditional Chinese martial-arts period piece Once Upon a Time in China II (1992) to the bone-crunching science fiction-vampire opus Blade II, Yen has distinguished himself as a formidable figure in the ranks of action cinema.Born in Canton, China, in July 1963, Yen's family moved to Hong Kong when Yen was two, again relocating to Boston, MA, when he was 11. It was in Boston that his mother, Bow Sim-Mark, a famous Wushu and Tai Chi master, ran the internationally famous Chinese Wushu Research Institute. A musically inclined youngster who excelled at the piano, Yen was educated by his mother in the martial arts from the moment he took his first steps. An addiction to Hong Kong cinema only fueled the energetic teenager's love for martial arts, and Yen would frequently find himself emulating the awe-inspiring moves of such film legends as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Worried that Yen spent a little too much of his time in Boston's notorious Combat Zone, his concerned parents sent him to Beijing on a two-year training program with the Beijing Wushu Team. Studying alongside such future stars as Jet Li, Yen began to build the confidence and self-discipline to become a Wushu master; he also made history as the first non-PRC Chinese to be accepted to the school. Fate intervened at a pit stop in Hong Kong en route back to his home in Boston, and Yen's chance meeting with legendary filmmaker/choreographer/action director Yuen Woo-Ping served as the inspiration Yen was seeking to break into the film industry. After appearing in minor roles in such 1980s Woo-Ping films as Tai Chi Master (1984) and Tiger Cage (1988), Yen received his breakout role in director Tsui Hark's massively popular Once Upon a Time in China II (1992). Cast opposite peer Jet Li, the duo engaged in a pair of fight scenes that would rank among the most inventive and exhilarating in martial arts film history. Even opposite such formidable talent as Li, Yen's creative fighting skills were so effective that he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 1992 Hong Kong Film Awards.
Later turning to the small screen to perfect his cinematic fighting skills and sharpen his abilities as a director, Yen began to earn a reputation as a director of unparalleled focus who was always able to deliver in even the most discouraging film shoots. Aiming to create films that would not only thrill, but stir the emotions deep within an audience, Yen made his feature directorial debut with 1997's Legend of the Wolf. Drawing from his choreography experiences on such films as Iron Monkey (1993) and Wing Chun (1994) and combining them with his experience as a filmmaker, Yen made little impact at the Hong Kong box office with Legend of the Wolf, though the upbeat filmmaker would continue to refine his skills both at home and abroad. Subsequent efforts such as Ballistic Kiss (1998) and City of Darkness (1999) found Yen entering John Woo territory in terms of cinematic style, and prominent appearances in such popular American films as Highlander: Endgame (2000) and Blade II (2002) (both of which found Yen serving double-duty as fight choreographer in addition to acting) found his audience expanding and his skills as a choreographer in increasing demand. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2008
- Add Ip Man to Queue
Behind ever great man there lies a teacher, and this was certainly true of Bruce Lee, who claimed as his mentor a martial arts expert named Ip Man (1893-1972). A genius of Wushu (or the Chinese martial arts school), Ip Man grew up in a China nearly ripped to pieces by racial hatred, nationalistic strife and warfare. He rose like a phoenix above these ashes, however, courtesy of his participation in matches against various Wushu masters and kung-fun warriors - ultimately training martial arts icons such as Lee. This biopic from director Wilson Yip dramatizes Ip's life story. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, (more)
SPL collaborators Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip join forces once again for this high-energy adaptation of Wong Yuk-Ling's popular manga Dragon and Tiger Heroes. The Dragon Tiger Gate is a Hong Kong martial arts dojo co-founded by the descendents of Dragon (Yen) and Tiger (Nicholas Tse). Separated as children, Tiger fights for the cause of good and Dragon goes to work for fearsome drug smuggler Ma Kun (Chen Kuan-tai). As the action gets under way, Tiger gets into a scrap with Ma Kun's gang and ends up in possession of the Lousha Plaque - a sacred icon of immense value to the powerful criminals. Though Ma Kun and Dragon allow Tiger to abscond with the Lousha Plaque for the time being, Dragon soon sets out to recover the object as nunchaku-spinning warrior Turbo (Shawn Yue) makes his presence known. As Tiger attempts to lure Dragon away from the dark side, the pair is forced to work together for the first time in years in order to defeat formidable Lousha Gang leader Shibumi (Yu Kang), whose penchant for one-on-one fights sets the stage for an explosive climax. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, (more)
Tsui Hark (The Blade) adapted his massive martial arts epic Seven Swords (AKA Qi Jian) from Liang yu-Sheng's ravenously popular novel Seven Swordsmen from Mount Tian. The story opens in the 1660s, following the implementation of China's (Manchu) Qing dynasty. To quell possible nationalist uprisings, the emperor issues a decree forbidding the use of martial arts, and guarantees decapitation for anyone who violates that order. A class of bounty hunters quickly formed to enforce the law and collect 600 pieces of silver for each violator; the most massive and domineering of the warriors is the bald, muscular Fire-Wind (Sun Honglei), a bellicose and volatile creature who lives in an elephantine tentlike dwelling on a hill. This walking terror selects Martial Village, a hamlet in northwestern China, as his next assignment. Meanwhile, in Martial, two young adults, Wu Yuanyin (Charlie Young) and her ex-beau, Han Zhibang) rescue an old executioner, Fu Qingzhu (Lau Kar-leung) who foresees the coming wrath and acknowledges the necessity of pulling in the mythical 'Warriors of Mt. Tian' to fight Fire-Wind and his cronies. The four warriors summoned by Fu include Chu Zhaonan (Donnie Yen), and Yang Yunchong (Leon Lai), who dramatically increase the tension and bloodshed when the former develops a crush on one of Fire-wind's hostages, Green Pearl (Kim So-yeon) and decides to kidnap her - sending Fire-wind through the roof. The critically-worshipped Hark reportedly cut two versions of this film (including a 2 1/2 hour cut and a 3-hour cut) and demonstrated incredible confidence in Qi Jian by planning it as the initial installment in a massive series of multimedia sequels, including a 74-part television series, an online video game, comics, and five additional films. The picture itself testifies to this, with the setup for a sophomore installment in its conclusion. Qi Jian, however, did lackluster box office when it opened in the Far East in July 2005, making the follow-ups less than certain. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, (more)
An ailing veteran cop whose relentless determination to do away with an untouchable gangster has led him to employ a series of unethical tactics finds his investigation complicated by the arrival of principled new inspector and the death of a fellow cop in this explosive underworld tale from Skyline Cruisers director Wilson Yip. Facing an inevitable retirement, the beleaguered and cancer-stricken Detective Chan (Simon Yam) has grown desperate to put away Teflon-coated crime boss Po (Sammo Hung) -- so desperate that he even begins planting false evidence and tampering with video in hopes of making a charge against Po stick. As Detective Chan begins to grow accustomed to thoughts of retiring and make way for honest incoming Inspector Ma (Donnie Yen), the ongoing investigation hits a snag when an undercover cop who has infiltrated Po's gang is mysteriously killed. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, (more)
Martial arts star Donnie Yen serves as producer, director and leading man of this stylish Hong Kong crime drama. Cat (played by Yen) is a killer for hire who is eager to leave the business, but agrees to one last hit to get even with a former friend who turned on him when they were both police officers, forcing Cat into a life of crime. Meanwhile, Cat discovers Carrie (Annie We), a female cop, has been put on his trail, and he kidnaps her -- only to find himself falling in love with her. Satsat Yan, Tiutiu Mo was Donnie Yen's second directorial assignment, following the period drama Legend of the Wolf. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Annie Wu, (more)
A famished peasant who has inadvertently mastered the lethal art of king fu sparks a brutal gang war in a hard-hitting martial arts adventure starring Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen. In addition to contributing to the fall of Fuehein's two most feared gangs, lowly peasant Tangsan has also aided in restoring a 1000 year old Maehu Statue and saving his friends from a life of slavery. Now, thanks to Tangsan's heroic efforts, a massive gang war is about to explode, and Tangsan is caught directly in the crossfire. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Chinese-American martial arts performer Donnie Yen directed, co-scripted, and stars in this tale providing background on the initial meeting of the legendary assassin Wolf and his sidekick. Flashbacks are set in a Canton community of the late '40s where a local bandit chief threatens WW II amnesiac Man-hin (Yen) and his childhood sweetheart Wai-yee (Carmen Lee), leading to an explosive confrontation. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Wong Chi Wah, (more)
- 1996
In this sequel to the martial arts cult classic Iron Monkey, Cool Head (Chen Kwun Tai) is a Kung Fu master and strong-arm man with the Monkey Fist. With a beautiful warrior (Judy Lee) at his side, Cool Head is sent out to vanquish a team of hired killers who intend to topple the government. Iron Monkey 2 also stars Chan Sing and Pao Hsieh Lee. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen
- 1996
Lam Wai-lun directs this supernatural crime thriller about Judas (Francis Ng Chun-yu), a psychopathic killer who stalks women born on June 6, 1969 and cuts out their hearts to check whether or not they are agents of Satan. Naturally, the police takes a dim view of this mode of inquiry and summons Christian policewoman Chan Sau-ching (Chingmy Yau Suk-ching) and thuggish gumshoe Mo (Donnie Yen Chi-tan) onto the case. The fact that Chan, who is normally in Internal Affairs, was investigating the mental fitness of her new partner immediately sets the two on the wrong foot. Meanwhile, Judas begins stalking Chan. Exploding vending machines, cascades of blood, and other signs of the apocalypse ensue. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen
Prepare for the hardest hitting martial arts action since Bruce Lee as Donnie Yen reprises the role made famous by the tragic screen legend in this made-for-television effort inspired by Lee's timeless classic Fist of Fury. As the dejected citizens of Shanghai cower in fear of the Japanese occupation, Chen Jun (Yen) joins the Jin Wu Martial Arts Academy in hopes of refining his skills and striking back at his oppressors through the formation of a well-organized underground resistance. When Chen's master (Eddy Ko) is poisoned by the leaders of the Japanese occupation, the furious student puts his skills to the ultimate test by embarking on a skull-cracking revenge spree that will leave martial arts fans breathless. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen
- 1995
This entertaining Hong Kong crime film from director Leung Tung Ni manages to enhance its predictable plot with some strong action sequences and a fair amount of tension. Donnie Yen stars as a police officer who chases a ruthless criminal across international borders to avenge the murder of his wife. Rising star Yu Rong Guang gives a noteworthy performance with a self-effacing edge, and although this film cannot be called one of the best of its type, genre fans should still be interested enough to take a look. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Yu Rongguang, (more)
After their parents are murdered by bandits, Chen Jun (Donnie Yen) and his younger sister are forced to journey to Shanghai in order to raise enough money to rebuild their homes. Neither of them, particularly Chen, realized just how dangerous city life could be. Chen quickly finds himself the member of a gang, which nearly gets him killed. Finally, he becomes a student of kung fu master Fok Yuen Gaap (Eddy Ko). This film also features Hung Yen Yen and Lau Chi-wing.
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Eddy Ko, (more)
From acclaimed action director/star Donnie Yen comes this action-packed martial-arts classic featuring one of the most beloved heroes in Chinese cinema. For as far back as he can recall, nationalist martial-arts expert Hung Hei-Kwun (Yen) has idolized mysterious Sun Moon Sect leader "Red Dragon" -- whose hatred for the Ching Dynasty is well known throughout the land. When Hei-Kwun learns that "Red Dragon" is actually his father, Hung Ting-Nam, he quickly resolves to meet his father and idol face to face. Though Hei-Kwun's plans are thwarted when Ting-Nam's plane fails and the powerful leader is killed, Hei-Kwun vows to travel to the Shaolin Temple and regroup the now disbanded Sun Moon Sect so that he may avenge his father's untimely death. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Prolific Hong Kong filmmaker Wu Ma directed and acted in this standard martial-arts actioner about a circus troupe which is chased out of Shanghai after the attacking Japanese force destroys their circus in 1942. Master Shen's Shanfu Circus moves to Canton, China, but can't get any work and are forced to perform in the streets for handouts. The local policeman, Tang Fa (Donnie Yen), constantly harasses fiery young acrobat Lo Yitung (Yuen Biao), but is restrained somewhat by his crush on Yitung's sister, Lan (Irene Wan). The plot moves into action-crime territory when some members of the troupe take jobs at a factory which is serving as a front for foreign opium smugglers. Three different choreographers worked on the fight sequences, but were not able to create any particularly noteworthy sequences. Lam Wai co-stars with Lily Li, Ken Lo, and Bey Logan. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Yuen Biao, (more)
- 1994
Wing Chun is a martial-arts film with an unusual feminist bent, inspired by a true historical figure. In 19th-century China, a pack of bandits attacks a remote village, attempting to kidnap a beautiful young widow named Charmy. However, they are foiled by Yim Wing Chun, a local tofu-shop owner who also happens to be a fearsome fighter; she defeats the thieves nearly single-handedly. This infuriates the evil bandit leader, who turns his full forces against the town in an effort to recapture Charmy. As if this weren't trouble enough, things become even tougher for Wing Chun when her childhood sweetheart, now also a martial-arts master, arrives in town after an absence of many years. On his return, he immediately falls in love with Charmy, mistaking her for Wing Chun -- and mistaking the real Wing Chun for a man. These farcical manueverings provide the backdrop for numerous fight sequences, which are filled with astoundingly acrobatic choreography skillfully performed by Hong Kong action star Michelle Yeoh. Especially notable is the final showdown between Wing Chun and the bandits, which proves once and for all it's not the size of the weapon, but the way that you use it. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, (more)
- 1993
Thomas Yip directed this low-budget Hong Kong action film shot back-to-back with Crystal Hunt and utilizing many of the same actors and locations. Sharla Cheung stars as Peggy, a CIA agent who joins the Hong Kong police in chasing fugitive convict Tong Yiang (Shing Fui-on). Tong is quite the hot property, since he has a stolen computer chip which not only the CIA but two rival criminal organizations want to get their hands on very badly. One of the gangs is headed by a corrupt business tycoon named Fok Chi-kien (Eddy Ko), who grabs Tong Yiang but is assassinated by the henchmen of the other gangleader, Long Hair (Gordon Lau) before he can get the chip. Long Hair takes off for Thailand with the chip, and Peggy joins her new Hong Kong partners in tracking him down. Donnie Yen, Carrie Ng, and Ken Lo lead the familiar cast. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
This standard Hong Kong action film from director Pak Lam Chui was filmed in Thailand using much of the same cast and crew as the contemporaneous Cheetah on Fire. Carrie Ng stars as Lisa Li, who gathers an expedition to seek out the legendary Gold Crystal God, which, according to the local mythology, has the power to heal her deathly sick father. Naturally, she isn't the only one after this valuable treasure, and her rivals soon kidnap the professor who is guiding her. Lisa presses on regardless, along with the professor's daughter, Police Superintendent Wu (Sibelle Hu), and former police officer Chi-liang (Donnie Yen), who acts as their tour guide. Nonstop action and gunplay lead up to a thrilling climactic battle in a cavern filled with deadly traps. The expected visual references to the Indiana Jones series and various '70s drive-in features are enlivened by spirited performances and exuberant pacing, making this an above average low-budget adventure. Gordon Lau co-stars with Ken Lo, Leung Kar-yan, and Michael Woods. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Sibelle Hu, (more)
- 1990
In this name-only sequel to the 1988 Tiger Cage, Hong Kong cop Dragon Yau (Donnie Yen Chi-tan) is having a truly bad day: His wife is demanding a divorce, he is almost killed in a bloody robbery attempt, and he gets thrown from a speeding ambulance. Worse still, he finds himself not only framed for murder and wanted by the triads but also handcuffed to Mandy (Rosamund Kwan Chi-lam), the very female lawyer her disgruntled wife hired to clean him out. A band of gangsters are under the impression that Mandy is hiding a wad of laundered cash in her attaché case and seems indisposed to talking the matter out. A litany of explosions, gun play, and general mayhem ensues. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen
Cynthia Yang Li-chang stars again in this fourth installment of the popular series directed by Yuen Woo-ping. The film opens with straight arrow American longshoreman Luk Wan-ting (Yuen Yat-chor) stumbling into a police raid, in which he gets blamed for a DEA agent's death. Now a murder suspect, Luk flees to Hong Kong with Madam Yeung (Yang) and street cops Donny (Donnie Yen Chi-tan) and Michael (Michael Wong Man-tak) in hot pursuit. When they finally catch him, Luk is shot by a shadowy assailant before he is extradited. As Luk is the lucky survivor of one assassination attempt after the next, Yeung begins to suspect that Michael isn't necessarily on the side of the law. As it turns out, he's a CIA agent selling drugs to the inner cities to finance terror campaigns in Central America. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Yang Li-ching, Donnie Yen, (more)
- 1984
Prolific Hong Kong filmmaker Yuen Woo-ping directed this amusing martial arts spoof which marked the film debut of popular genre actor Donnie Yen. Yen plays Chin Dao, an unruly rascal who continually runs headlong into trouble. After causing the son of a local boss to lose face, Chin Dao compounds his infraction by causing the young man to go insane after fighting back when the boy seeks revenge using firecrackers. This development enrages the boss so much that he orders Dao's entire family to be murdered by a mute but powerful killer known as the Killer Bird (Yuen Shun-yee). Dao is crushed when he comes home one day to find that his father and brother have both been killed by the assassin, and -- his life completely altered -- wanders aimlessly until meeting a puppeteer (Yuen Cheung-yan) and his heavyset wife (Lydia Shum). The couple attempt to teach Dao to earn a living, but his inability to carry out even the most simple tasks without botching them soon finds him homeless again. While on the streets, he unwittingly saves the Killer Bird's son from some kidnappers, but this does nothing to dissuade the assassin from trying to murder him. Dao is almost killed, but makes his way to the puppeteer, who decides to teach him a method of "soft style tai-chi" which can defeat his pursuer. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Wang Tao, (more)
Two very different men vie for the affection of a beautiful and powerful woman in this historical epic from Hong Kong. During the Era of the Warring States, two rival kingdoms are fighting for control of China, the Yan and the Zhao. Muyong Xuehu (Donnie Yen) is leader of the Yan armies and guides his forces to victory, but not before the Yan emperor is murdered. Muyong is declared the new emperor of the Yan territories, angering Wu Ba (Guo Xiaodong), the late leader's nephew who killed his uncle in hopes of taking the throne. There is much public discord over Muyong's appointment, so he names as his second in command Yan Fei'er (Kelly Chen), the late king's beautiful daughter and only child. Muyong is in love with Yan Fei'er and wants to protect her, but she's a brave and headstrong woman, unafraid to put herself in the heat of battle. When a would-be killer attempts to murder Yan Fei'er, she's rescued by an unlikely benefactor, Duan Lanquan (Leon Lai), an aspiring inventor who loves in the woods. Yan Fei'er falls for the clever Duan, who has invented a machine that can fly, and when she learns that the Yan kingdom is once again under attack, she must choose between her two lovers as she returns to her people's battle for freedom. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Kelly Chen, (more)
SPL power duo Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen re-team for this raucous action film about a loose-cannon cop on the trail of three drug-dealing brothers. Jun (Yen) is the kind of cop who always gets his man, but may set a whole city block ablaze in the process. Though his superiors are constantly on his case, Jun knows how to get the job done and never hesitates to innovate in times of crisis. Archer (Lui Leung Wai), Tony (Collin Chou), and Tiger (Xing Yu) are three dope slingers who supply the product for much of the local drug trade, and Jun is determined to take them down at all costs. Assisting Jun in his task is undercover cop Wilson (Louis Koo), a seasoned veteran capable of infiltrating the gang and gaining their trust. Though Wilson is at first successful in his mission, his cover is soon blown and a fierce battle leaves him unable to walk on his own. Fortunately for the good guys, Archer is captured in the violent fracas. While at first this seems like a major coup for law enforcement, the small victory takes a grim turn when vengeful brother Tiger vows to eliminate sole witness Wilson before the case ever goes to trial. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, (more)
A powerful, age-old bloodsucker attempts to gather the blood essence that will enable him to walk in daylight -- and the only thing standing between his success and the forthcoming age of darkness is a trio of skilled vampire slayers in director Dante Lam's The Twins Effect. Top agent Reeve (Ekin Cheng) works for a secret organization dedicated to ridding the world of the fanged menace, and though his razor-sharp fighting skills -- not to mention and the occasional dose of vampire blood -- give him an edge over your typical vampire slayer, his new partner, Gypsy (Gillian Chung), also possesses formidable skills. When Reeve learns that his younger sister Helen (Charlene Choi) is romantically linked with a sensitive, new-age vampire prince, Kazaf (Edison Chen), who possesses the final piece of the puzzle needed for the dreaded Duke Dekotes (Mickey Hardt) to overpower humankind and rule the Earth, Reeve, Gypsy, and a reluctant Helen soon jump into action. Combine their skills with that of a quick-kicking paramedic (Jackie Chan), and the human race just may stand a chance for survival after all. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlene Choi, Gillian Chung, (more)
