Iron
Monkey on DVD
For those who loved Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon, Iron Monkey gives you more of what you loved about it -- and
less of what you didn’t.
Essentially a Robin Hood story, Iron Monkey is about a masked stranger
who steals from corrupt officials and gives to the less fortunate. The
local law enforcement is up in arms about the Monkey, wanting him captured
and brought to justice. The citizens, on the other hand, love him.
In walks Wong Kei Ying, a legend from another town who gets into a fight.
The “police” see him fight, and decide he “could”
be the Iron Monkey. They arrest him and anyone else they deem possible
to be the culprit.
Aside from the references to Robin Hood, the story doesn’t make
a lot of sense, but it doesn’t matter. You watch these movies to
see great fight scenes, and you get more than your share here. The opening
fight is equally cool and absurd, which is about all you can ask for.
It features many of the same gravity-defying moves as Crouching Tiger.
Best of all, it doesn’t have any of the kind of boring “desert”
scenes that Crouching Tiger had.
And it’s directed by Yuen Wo Ping, the man who choreographed the
action in Crouching Tiger and The Matrix.
Iron Monkey is essentially a Jackie Chan movie, sans Jackie Chan. Great
action, slapstick comedy, and a nonexistent plot.
If you’re into this kind of movie, it doesn’t get much better
than this.
The DVD is surprisingly good, despite the film’s failure to ignite
the box office (and considering it was originally released in Hong Kong
eight years ago). The picture is a very nice anamorphic widescreen that
is perfectly clear, even during the night scenes. There’s a tiny
bit of grain, but it’s a fairly low budget movie that’s getting
older, so that’s understandable.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital is exceptional, using all the surround speakers
effectively. A lot of sound effects spew from the rears, while most dialogue
is restricted to the front. During the non-action scenes, the score manages
to creep out from all around you, and so does the rain.
Extras include two interviews, which total about fifteen minutes; one
with Quentin Tarantino (producer of the American release), the other with
Donnie Yen (Wong Kei Ying). There is also a four minute Score Medley.
Iron Monkey, from Alliance Atlantis Home Entertainment
85 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) 16X9 enhanced, 5.1 Dolby Digital
Starring Yu Rong Guang, Donnie Yen, Jean Wang, Tsang Sze Man
Produced by Tsui Hark
Written by Tsui Hark, Elsa Tang, Lau Tai Mok
Directed by Yuen Wo Ping
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