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
- 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)
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)
- 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
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)
It is 1895 in Canton, China. The Europeans are still milking the country for every dollar they can and claiming special privileges in it, as well. Meanwhile, the virulently anti-foreign White Lotus Society is mounting attacks on the generally clueless British, with the very obvious but low-key support of the government. If somebody doesn't protect the idiotic foreigners, things could get so far out of hand that they will bring in their armies for some really debilitating reprisals. This is all going on just at a time when China has some other serious problems, like the democratic agitations of Sun Yat Sen and the imperialist inroads of the Japanese, who have just stolen Taiwan from China. Fortunately, Wong Fey Hong (Jet Li) is a crafty and effective man and a wonderfully skilled martial artist. He is prepared to do what he can to protect the widely resented foreigners for reasons which are quintessentially Chinese. This is the second of four martial arts historical epics, all with the same basic title. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, (more)
As officer Lam Che Chu (Fong Pao) and Wong Fei Hong (Yuk Wong) join forces to fight a gang of determined opium smugglers, Beggar So Chen (Kwan Hoi-Shan) takes on the dreaded Fire Lotus Gang in this martial-arts classic from Drunken Master director Yuen Woo Ping. As the tireless trio do their best to fend off the rogue forces, beautiful school teacher Yi The-Tai (Fennie Yuen) is berated by parents who suspect her of running a whorehouse and of being pursued by drug traffickers who fear that she knows too much about their operation to live. When the three stories collide in a opium warehouse filled with brutal drug runners, the stage is set for a spectacular battle featuring a variety of deadly weapons! ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donnie Yen
Michelle Yeoh (aka Michelle Khan) began her comeback bid with this flamboyant Hong Kong action film from director Michael Mak and choreographer Ching Siu-tung. Based on a novel by Ku Long, previously filmed in 1976 as Killer Clans, the film stars Yeoh as Sister Ko, part of the Happy Forest clan led by the dying eunuch Tsao. Before he expires, Tsao orders Ko and her friends to kill the head of the Elite Villa clan, Master Suen (Elvis Tsui), and steal a precious scroll. Yip Cheung (Donnie Yen) leads the first assault and fails, so Ko gets the skilled killer Sing (Tony Leung), whom she has a crush on, to help. Sing is engaged to Butterfly (Joey Wang), who has no idea that he is actually a trained assassin. When Sing infiltrates Master Suen's clan, he meets his childhood friend, Ho Ching (Yeh Chuan-chen), who is also working undercover for Sister Ko. Ho Ching's murder sets the stage for an angry encounter between Sing and Sister Ko, the final assault on the Elite Villa clan, and the revelation of a secret betrayal. Pop singer Jimmy Lin appears as Prince Cha; some of the fight scenes were later re-used in Chu Yen-ping's erotic Category III melodrama Slave of the Sword, which was filmed on the same sets later in the year. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
This kung fu classic weaving fact and myth earned a theatrical release in the U.S. from Miramax eight years after it was produced, following a successful retrospective screening at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival. Wong Kei Ying (Donnie Yen) is a master of the Hung Gar style of boxing in mid-19th century China. His son, Wong Fei Hung (Sze-Man Tsang), though still just a boy, will grow up to become a martial arts legend, a nearly mythical figure in Chinese history. When Wong Fei Hung is kidnapped, his father is forced to use his daunting skills in the service of the abductor, a dishonest politician plagued by the Robin Hood-style thief known as Iron Monkey, a mysterious masked avenger stealing from the rich, delivering the spoils to the poor. Wong Fei Hung's only allies are the kindly Dr. Yang (Yu Rong Guang) and Yang's assistant, Orchid (Jean Wang), who are protecting an important secret. Iron Monkey (1993) director Yuen Wo Ping is also the masterful martial arts choreographer behind The Matrix (1999) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000); his father served as action choreographer on a series of popular, long-running films centered around the Wong Fei Hung character in the 1950s. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yu Rongguang, 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
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)
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)
- 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
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)
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
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)
In this fantasy adventure tale, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) and his kinsman Duncan (Adrian Paul) are "Immortals," members of a secret clan who can be killed only through decapitation. Connor and Duncan find themselves thrown into a tournament where Immortals both good and evil battle one another in a bid to become the last of their kind. Highlander: Endgame was the fourth feature film in the Highlander franchise, but its narrative draws from the storyline of the Highlander television series and ignores the events of the second and third films. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrian Paul, Christopher Lambert, (more)
Based on a manga series, this science fiction-adventure is set in a near future in which Japan is governed by a monarchy who use a highly trained band of samurai-style assassins known as the House of Takemikazuchi to suppress a fierce band of rebels. Yuki (Yumiko Shaku), a lethal young female member of the group, discovers that her mother was betrayed and murdered by the their leader, and swears vengeance. After being wounded in battle, she takes refuge in a remote gas station run by Takashi (Hideaki Ito), a young man who is actually a member of the underground rebel army. Despite their mutual mistrust, he nurses her back to health and they form a bond as she seeks to continue her mission of vengeance and he tries to convince her otherwise. ~ Tom Vick, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hideaki Ito, Yumiko Shaku, (more)
Four years after scoring a box-office touchdown with Blade (1998), actor Wesley Snipes returns to portray the Marvel Comics character again in this sequel that teams him with Mexican horror director Guillermo del Toro. A half-vampire, half-human hybrid, Blade (Snipes) is a merciless vampire hunter bent on destroying the bloodsuckers that feed on humanity. The keys to Blade's success are a serum that allows him to resist the urge for blood and an array of inventive, deadly weapons, both of which were once supplied by his mentor, Whistler (Kris Kristofferson). Since Whistler's death, Blade has relocated to Prague and recruited the pot-smoking slacker Scud (Norman Reedus) to take the place of his father figure, but then he discovers that Whistler's not dead after all: He's been infected with the vampire virus. Reunited with Whistler, Blade is dealt an even bigger surprise: His greatest enemy, vampire leader Damaskinos (Thomas Kretschmann), wants to make peace with him. It seems that the vampires are facing a greater threat than Blade and hope to persuade him to fight the Reapers, a mutated super-race of vampires on a rampage of murder, indiscriminately killing both humans and their fellow bloodsuckers while sucking their victims dry. Blade agrees to a truce and joins the Bloodpack, an elite squad of commandos originally formed to fight Blade himself. Soon, the vampire soldiers discover that the virus responsible for creating their enemies is spreading rapidly and can be traced back to a mysterious "Patient Zero." Blade 2 (2002) co-stars Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela, Donnie Yen, and Matt Schulze. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, (more)
Hero is two-time Academy Award nominee Zhang Yimou's directorial attempt at exploring the concept of a Chinese hero. During the peak of their Warring States period, China was divided into seven kingdoms all fighting for supremacy. Most determined to dominate China was the kingdom of Qin, whose king (Chen Daoming) was wholly obsessed with becoming the first emperor of China. Though he was an assassination target for many, none of his would-be killers inspired as much fear as the legendary assassins Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Sky (Donnie Yen). In hopes of thwarting his death, the king has promised endless wealth and power to anyone who defeats his would-be murderers. No results come until ten years later, when a man called Nameless (Jet Li) brings the weapons of the three assassins to the Qin king's palace. Nameless claims to be an expert swordsman who had defeated Sky and destroyed the famed duo of Flying Snow and Broken Sword by using their love for one another against them. Once Nameless comes face to face with the king, however, it looks as if the situation is more complicated than he had thought. Also featured in Hero is actress Zhang Ziyi (The Road Home, Crouching Tiger, Hiden Dragon) as Broken Sword's devoted servant, Moon. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, (more)
