Donnie Yen makes another TMT entrance, this time with the grand television show, The Kung Fu Master. Before anyone makes the comment, I know that there is a longer, forty-one episode version, but I’ve only watched the abridged thirty episode version that made it to the U.S. in the 90s. If anyone knows where I can get an English dubbed version of all forty-one episodes, let me know in the comments.
Although The Kung Fu Master felt a bit rushed in the end, what you do get in the American version is an action-packed story full of friendship, revenge, betrayal, and admittedly, heartache when brothers turn against brothers during the final stages of the Ming Dynasty.
It’s time to destroy your toxic masculinity by consuming more toxic masculinity!
Check out The Kung Fu Master trailer below:
The Kung Fu Master (Donnie Yen) - Movie Trailer
Plot:
The Kung Fu Master is about the final stages of the Ming Dynasty as the Manchu Qing is on the march and the Han are declining. Donnie Yen stars as real-life martial artist Hung Hei-gun and founder of Hung Gar kung fu. (On a fun note, I studied Hung Fut kung fu for a time, which is a combination of Hung Gar and Fut Gar kung fu, so shout out to Sifu Tai Yim!)
Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School - Offering Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Self Defense, Sparring and Qigong!
As the Qing army takes control of China, they treat the larger Han they are displacing as second-class citizens. What rose to challenge the Qing was an underground resistance group called the Sun Moon Sect. The Sun Moon Sect’s plot to assassinate the Qing emperor goes awry, and many of their leadership is killed. Their leader, Red Dragon, manages to escape, but is severely injured by the emperors guard.
Hung Hei-gun has returned to his village after learning martial arts but is appalled by the conditions. Hung Hei-gun has a rocky relationship with his father, Hung Ting‑nam, who appears disappointed in his son’s immaturity. Things become worse when Hung Hei-gun realizes that his father, although a Han, works as a trainer for the Qing government.
Feeling ostracized from his father for being a traitor, and growing angry at the classism he feels from the Qing army, Hung Hei-gun grows fascinated by the legend of the Red Dragon but fails to join the remnants of the Sun Moon Sect. It isn’t until Red Dragon falls into a Qing trap that Hung Hei-gun realizes that Red Dragon is his father.
United in their hatred of the Qing, Hung Hei-gun works with his father to reconstruct the Sun Moon Sect.
Why You Should Watch:
The Kung Fu Master pulls from real world events that give it an air of authenticity, even though the action is pure wire-fu. What makes The Kung Fu Master such a joy to watch are the characters Hung Hei-gun comes in contact with, along with one of the snootiest, evil villains in kung fu history.
On his journey to becoming a rebel, Hung Hei-gun makes amazing friends. We first meet the amazingly strong Tung Chin-kan, who we see holding a broken bridge up with his bare hands and getting paid in tips to let people walk to the other side. Hung Hei-gun is forced to eventually fight this strong man who was tricked by the Qing, but Tung Chin-kan later becomes one of his most loyal allies.
There are others, some pulled straight out of history like the impetuous folk hero Fong Sai-yuk, and the always serious Kong Wai-lun. Plus Yim Wing-chun joins the struggle, and she is the founder of Wing Chun kung fu. And then there is the son of a local noble, Ko Chun-chung, who is a dear old friend of Hei-gun.
They are up against figures like Ha Sat-to, a general in the Qing army who is more sympathetic and kind to the Han. He is offset by Fung To-tak, a ruthless government agent for the Qing government who is highly skilled in martial arts and leads a relentless hunt for the rebels. And there is a smattering of corrupt magistrates and Qing spies that the six friends must outwit to stay just one step ahead of the government.
Yet, all of these villains pale compared to Sek Tok, the Qing official set over Hung Hei-gun village and charged with breaking the Sun Moon Sect. Sek Tok relishes his position as a Manchu in high regard, and looks down on the Han any chance he gets.
Sek Tok can feign weakness, allowing others to fight his battles, but can stand on his own as a skilled fighter. Sek Tok is thoughtful, methodical, calculating and ruthless, and is the perfect foil for the Sun Moon Sect.
Hung Hei-gun and his friends struggle to survive as the full power of the government is thrown at the Sun Moon Sect. These six friends grow close as sworn brothers, and sister, as they put their lives on the line for each other to fight for their dying empire.
However, human nature arises along with jealousies and blood ties that turn one of these friends into Hung Hei-gun’s deadliest enemies.
The Kung Fu Master is marketed as a kung-fu soap opera and that is not far off, but don’t let that comparison fool you. Chinese soap operas are not like American soap operas. The drama is there, as this is one of Donnie Yen’s most dramatic roles, but it is all bolstered by the typical Donnie Yen fast-paced action.
The wire-fu may not quite hold up today, but it’s still fun to watch as Hung Hei-gun and his friends become experts in their own styles. Your bond grows with the heroes as they explore new kung fu styles and grow from petulant, wide-eyed dreamers into hardened freedom fighters. The villains that they face are of equal measure as the Qing relentlessly hunt the Sun Moon Sect to Shoalin, where they make their final stand.
I did not find a place streaming The Kung Fu Master, so you’re going to have to bite the bullet and get the DVD, which is still surprisingly cheap. To get the full thirty episodes, you will also have to get Revenge of The Kung Fu Master which is a bit more expensive.
But it’s worth the expense as The Kung Fu Master is a gripping tale that ties real world history with over-the-top kung fu, and passionate portrayals that bring these historical characters to life.
Check out my video review where I say almost the exact same things, but with more fights!
****
Check out my book The Mark for .99 that pits an obsessive Green Beret versus an Army Ranger! I’m getting closer to reaching #1 in a best seller category on Amazon so every sell helps! You can buy it on Amazon here, or from my Linktree!
And check out my website, TheMegacosm.com, for the latest news involving this universe. I’m also starting Rumble and Youtube channels. Give them a sub so I can start getting paid!
English (US) · 