Fist of Fury vs Fist of Legend

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Ok ladies and gentleman.

The actual title of "Chinese Connection" is "Fist of Fury" starring Bruce Lee (I don't to this day understand the US title for this film) and "Fist of Legend" was the Jet Li version.

Which in your opinion is the better, version of the Chen Zeng story (even though they are both fictional accounts) and fight scenes that take place after after Huo Yuanjia's death?

Personally, I think Jet's character would have been more than likely be Huo's student than Bruce's character based on what history says about Huo Yuanjia.

[kungpowmaster]

Well, I can't figure out how to vote. But my vote goes for the Bruce Lee version, and I haven't even seen the Jet Lee movie. But I say this, because Fist of Fury and the Chinese Connection are the only 2 good movies Bruce made, and they were both greatm and Jet Lee is about the worst martial arts "actor" ever. His only good movie was Unleashed, and that was just because the story was good, anyone could have done that role as well.

Chosen One

[Nebuchadnezzar]

That would invalidate your vote. How can you express an opinion without seeing both?

How many Jet Li films have you seen? Sounds like only Unleashed which was the one Not to see.

As to Bruce Lee's acting, he couldn't compared to Jet Li. Bruce's best acting wasn't even on the big screen, it was on the small screen. His worst acting was on the big screen. His best performance in the theatre was Way of the Dragon.

He was better in his appearance on Longstreet back in 1971 and on the Green Hornet in the late '60's.

[NJM]

Originally Posted by kungpowmaster

Fist of Fury and the Chinese Connection are the only 2 good movies Bruce made

Fist of Fury and the Chinese Connection are two titles for the same movie. Maybe you were thinking "Fists of Fury" which was originally "The Big Boss."

[Jimbo]

The U.S. release of Fist of Fury was called "Chinese Connection" because about a year earlier the hit film "The French Connection" had been released, hence the U.S. distributors' desire to draw an audience by piggybacking off of that title. Which was dumb, because those movies' original titles already fit them fine.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

The U.S. release of Fist of Fury was called "Chinese Connection" because about a year earlier the hit film "The French Connection" had been released, hence the U.S. distributors' desire to draw an audience by piggybacking off of that title. Which was dumb, because those movies' original titles already fit them fine.

Thanks for the explaining that for me. Your timing was fantastic. Then the US distributors messed around and changed the title of Way of The Dragon to Return of the Dragon. Further confusion comes in when Enter the Dragon comes out after Return of the Dragon. How can there be a "Return" when he hasn't "Entered" yet?

You must be a fellow Movie Buff.

[jethro]

There is no way I can decide. Fist of Legend obviously has better action but both of these movies are 2 of my top 10 favorites. FIst of Fury (Chinese Connection) is a great all around movie. I just can't decide!

And Kungpowmaster, you should see the Once Upon a Time in China series and Fearless. Jet Li is a magnificent actor. He is also great in Fong Sai Yuk 1 and 2.

[NJM]

Would anyone agree with me if I said the worst Jet Li movie was either Unleashed or The One?

[yutyeesam]

If there were no Fist of Fury, there'd be no Fist of Legend.

Fist of Fury spawned the whole Chinese vs. Japanese martial arts battles which was the basis for many a Kung-Fu movie.

You can argue till you're blue in the face about how much better of a movie Fist of Legend is in comparison to Fist of Fury...

...but Fist of Fury was a revolution in the genre of MA films that had FAR more social and cultural impact than Fist of Legend could ever have.

[GeneChing]

If you were there when Fist of Fury/Chinese Connection was released, you know the impact it had worldwide. Fist of Legend, while a superb film, was overlooked by those outside the martial arts film genre.

There's another rumor about the Fist/Fists title that the film canisters got switched when they were imported, casing even more confusion. It's way up there with the Wheels on Meals title story.

And the worst Jet Li film was Dr. Wai in 'The Scripture with No Words'. Compared to that, the One and Unleashed were oscar material.

[sanjuro_ronin]

The sound effects in the Chinese Connection are too funny ( dubber version of course), the fight with the Russian has some awesome ones, creaky foot work and Bruce yelling like a Donkey who's nuts are in a vice.

Fist of Legend was great, the fight between Li and the Funakoshi character was too cool, love it when he stops Li from starting the fight to "stretch out a bit", LOL !!

[banditshaw]

I liked both films alot.
From a nostalgic point of view, The Chinese Connection still resonates with me more because when I first saw it I was a child and it introduced me to Bruce Lee(it was my first BL film).
I was pretty stoked on Bruce Lee and became a huge fan. Collecting as much as could or what my Mom was willin to buy me
As time went on I started to learn some truths as well as Lies about the Legend. But that's another thread altogether, one that doesn't really need to be rehashed in my opinion.

Anyway I thought Fist Of Legend was a brilliant redux of sorts and has one of Japan's Most Bad Ass MA actors Yasuaki Kurata.

Anyone see ''Legend Of A Fighter''?
A Huo Yuanjia story. It was sort of redone as ''Fearless''.


Also The One and Unleashed were terrible compared to Kiss of the Dragon

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Originally Posted by banditshaw

....Also The One and Unleashed were terrible compared to Kiss of the Dragon

Kiss of the Dragon is on my list of must own Jet Li DVDs, along with Once Upon a Time in China. I already own Fearless, and for comedy relief I own Twin Warriors. I have to see Hero again, I was tired and watching the rental.

[Lucas]

i said fist of legend.

i enjoy the bruce lee film as well, but i think the choreography and story line in fist of legend was much more well thought out. more in depth, more character, better love interest story, not to mention the fights were way better.

the Funakoshi fight is one of my favorite fight scenes of all time.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Originally Posted by yutyeesam

.......but Fist of Fury was a revolution in the genre of MA films that had FAR more social and cultural impact than Fist of Legend could ever have.

Dream on, "Five Fingers of Death" is the Gold Standard. Fist of Fury only proved the Bruce "Kato" Lee had serious social issues of his own to deal with. Please note, Kato is a Japanese name, not Chinese.