Synopsis: Huang Fei Hong has to get involved in a martial arts competition held by a British businessman, in order to save his student Liang Kuan who uncovered the secret of a conspiracy of an much bigger plan. (80 Mins)

 

Views: It's 1882 in Guangzhou, China, and the Chamber of Commerce has established a martial arts contest in a bid to find a fighter who will win the 'right' to work with a British merchant known as Mr. Brown. It's a challenge that excites one of Wong Fei Hung's students, Liang Kuan, who gets beaten by an enhanced contender but is saved from death by his master. But as Wong digs a little deeper into the workings of Mr. Brown, he soon learns that there is something more sinister going on in the shadows and must step-up to bring peace to his town once again. Interestingly enough, I watched this film the same day that I watched Vincent Zhao's Unity Of Heroes for the first time, and found that both carried a very similar storyline with the introduction of zombie-like enhanced beings. And while I enjoyed them both for different reasons, I'd have to say that the latter offered a little more enjoyment than this web-movie – but that's not to say you should avoid Wong Fei Hung: Return Of The King by any means!

 

The third TV feature of director Guo Yu Long, who was also behind the brilliant web-movie Unbending Mr. Fang, this new chapter of the Wong Fei Hung story tries to deliver the charm of the Tsui Hark classics along with a healthy dose of decent humour and exciting fight scenes. The handsome Xu Jing Chuan stars as the martial arts master after roles in films such as Hopping Vampire Vs Zombie, The M Riders: Finding Pangu, animated feature L.O.R.D. and television series The Legend Of Shaolin Kung Fu, alongside the legendary Sammo Hung and Xie Miao – the child actor from My Father Is A Hero and New Legend Of Shaolin. As Fei Hung, Xu Jing Chuan does a fine job and was a similar age to Jet Li when he debuted as the legendary hero. The equally cute Chen Xi Ming stars as Liang Kuan, one of Wong Fei Hung's top students who has a knack of getting into trouble. Donnie Yen film regular, Yu Kang, stars as the corrupt ministerial official who gets to show off his moves a few times throughout. Having started with Donnie on the super-fun Twins Effect back in 2003, Kang has went on to star in many of his films including Dragon Tiger Gate, Wu Xia, Iceman, Kung Fu Jungle, Big Brother, and Raging Fire, as well as assisting with the stunt work and choreography on a number of the same titles. Actor Tong Hu, who played the wolf-armed fighter in Guo's aforementioned Fong Sai Yuk adventure, Unbending Mr. Fang, gets a small role here as a brutal fighter whose motive isn't really explained. This would only be his 3rd role in the wonderful world of web-movies, with him going on to star in more such as The Legends Of Monkey King, Hero's Dream, The River Pirates, Wild Sword, and much more...

 

While it only runs for 80 minutes, Wong Fei Hung: Return Of The King feels like it still offers a bit more. Yes, the script isn't ground-breaking and it does highlight some lower production values at times, but it still proves to be pretty entertaining for the most part and has enough fun fight scenes to keep fans of the folk hero glued. From saving his troublesome student in the ring to taking on 2 enhanced buxom ladies with blades and umbrellas – that sees Wong blindfold himself so that he isn't distracted with a look that reminded me more of Jet Li's moment in Fong Sai Yuk 2 – and the grand finale that puts Wong up against the handsome blonde-westerner who, after injecting himself with the enhancement drug, goes full Piccolo in order to kick our heroes ass; fight fans won't be disappointed. I'm not too sure who this western actor is, but he can certainly bust a move, act well, and look good while doing it. Zhang Qiang and Zhao Zhong Zhen do a fine job in their debut as action-choreographers, with the former going on to work with Guo Yu Long on many of his other titles including Zhang Sanfeng Against The Forces Of Evil and Unbending Mr. Fang, as well as other films like Goddesses In The Flames Of War, The King Of Arms, and Lady Assassin.

 

Overall: While it's not the greatest Wong Fei Hung film ever, Return Of The King does entertain and is worth catching if you're a fan of the legendary hero!