100 Yards (2023)

User Review

• 

  ScreenZealots

  5 / 10

  I lean towards the colder side of lukewarm on “100 Yards,” a classic Kung Fu movie co-directed by brothers Haofeng and Junfeng Xu. The martial arts choreography is proficient but uninspired, and no amount of stylish filmmaking can overcome the lackluster story and disappointing lack of adventure.
  
  Set in the 1920s Tianjin, the film tells the story of two bitter rivals and their duel to control a prominent martial arts academy. One is the son of a dying master (Jacky Heung) and the other, his most skilled apprentice (Andy On). The two men aren’t prone to follow the rules of engagement. Instead of than settling the dispute in a gentlemanly fashion behind closed doors, they take their fight to the street.
  
  When making a martial arts movie, the stunt and fight choreography needs to be exciting. There’s little passion. In what amounts to the kiss of death in a Kung Fu movie, the fights aren’t particularly creative; they actually feel boring. The classic, corny fake sound effects that accompany the monotonous clashes are one of the only fun things to be found here.
  
  The characters are also dull and unengaging, which makes it difficult to ever care enough about their fate to get involved in the story. It was like I was being held back while watching the film, and it’s never enjoyable to feel so distant from the art.
  
  Movies like this work best when they are super fun, but the plot and tone in “100 Yards” are both far too serious. There’s no anticipation leading up to the final duel and even then, the action is lacking. It’s not entirely the fault of the actors, the screenwriter, or even the directors, but everyone has a hand in the film’s stumbles. Nothing ever comes together, which makes for a sorely boring film.
  
  By: Louisa Moore for Screen Zealots

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