Fearless (aka Jet Li’s Fearless, 霍元甲). 2006. Directed by Ronny Yu

Fearless (aka Jet Li’s Fearless, 霍元甲). 2006. China/Hong Kong/USA. Directed by Ronny Yu. Action direction by Yuen Woo-ping. Screenplay by Chris Chow, To Chi-long. With Jet Li, Li Sun, Yong Dong, Michelle Yeoh. 35mm courtesy Universal Pictures. In Mandarin, Japanese; English subtitles. 104 min. Ronny Yu’s Fearless traces the rise, fall, and redemption of Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li), the legendary martial artist who becomes a symbol of Chinese resilience in the face of foreign humiliation. Yuen Woo-ping’s choreography gives the film’s many combat sequences a remarkable range—from intimate displays of technique to spectacular, full-bodied confrontations—while preserving the distinctive character of different fighting styles. Li brings formidable physical command and unexpected emotional depth to the role, charting Huo’s transformation from an arrogant fighter to a more reflective master who understands martial arts as a means of cultivating character rather than defeating an opponent.