Blades of the Guardians Review
Even if you don’t immediately recognise the name, you’ve felt his impact on action cinema. Yuen Woo-ping is undeniably a legend of the industry, having launched the careers of martial arts icons like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen. His influence easily crossed the subtitle barrier; his work on Fist of Legend earned him the role of kung fu choreographer on The Matrix. After more than 50 years of shaping the action genre, the chance to review his latest wuxia epic is not something you take lightly. Yet even at 80 years old, Blades of the Guardians showcases Yuen Woo-ping at his very best.
Dao Ma (Wu jing), the second most wanted fugitive in the land, is forced to flee with his nephew, Xiao Qi (Charles Ju), after killing Chang Guiren. When he returns home, however, the Mo family clan’s chief, Lao Mo (Tony Leung Ka Fai), entrusts him with a mission worth every piece of gold on offer. Dao Ma must escort Zhi Shi Lang (Sun Yizhou), the most wanted fugitive, to Chang’an. Along the way, Dao Ma and the rest of the convoy, including Ayuya (Chen Lijun) and Yuchi Ani (Xiong Jinyi), face deadly foes as Heyi Xuan (Cisha) consolidates power in his bid to become khan.
Wuxia is an acquired taste within martial arts cinema. Its mythological choreography can be jarring. One moment, you are witnessing grounded and impactful storytelling, and the next, you’re watching characters glide across rooftops and defying all the laws of gravity. Blade of the Guardians manages to do the impossible by blending the hard-hitting, violent action of Woo Ping’s films like Tiger Cage 2 with the elegance and otherworldly movement of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The action is a visual feast and exemplification of why audiences fell in love with Yuen Woo-ping’s work in the first place.
The camera captures all the fluidity of the action with remarkable precision. Even in tighter framing, there’s a clear, deliberate choice at play, whether it’s highlighting an impact that would be lost in a wide shot or drawing attention to a character’s emotional state. No shot or cut ever feels designed to hide the choreography; instead, each one amplifies its intensity. For a film that features action through most of its two-hour runtime, every sequence feels gripping. A single slash and burst of blood leaves you gasping, as if at any moment our leads could die.
What is truly surprising is how impeccable the CGI was. Blades of the Guardians features numerous CGI environments, unsurprisingly given the film’s fantastical nature, but what caught me off guard was how seamlessly the effects are woven into the action. While the film contains several sequences that could stand among Woo-ping’s best, one set piece during a sandstorm is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Evoking the intensity of a similar moment in Fury Road, it left me in sheer awe and bewilderment. It’s a genuinely historic scene and one of the best action scenes in any modern martial arts film.
Without the strength of its cast, none of the action would function. Wu Jing, as Dao Ma, is effortlessly charming and witty. His performance fits the role perfectly, and he fully commits to the physicality required, allowing the action to flourish. Nicholas Tse is fantastic as Di Ting, striking a perfect balance as neither friend nor foe, just a man on a mission, driven by the hope of reclaiming his freedom. But it’s Cisha, as Heyi Xuan, who rises above the rest. Every time he appears on screen, your blood begins to boil, and you find yourself praying he meets a fate worse than death.
Though this should be expected from a Yuen Woo-ping film, he is, after all, a master of action cinema, and saying the action is incredible almost feels like stating the obvious. But as any fan of the genre knows, action, like musical numbers, exists in service of the narrative. Blades of the Guardians delivers a story that is epic in scale, reminiscent of films like Creation of the Gods, complete with numerous character title cards introducing its sprawling cast. It can be overwhelming at times, and it’s fair to say that some of the characters are one-dimensional. Our core cast is given enough depth that their motivations and backstories resonate, allowing every emotional beat to land.
When a character dies, you genuinely feel the loss; a part of you aches for justice and revenge. In addition, the film serves as a passing of the torch from an older generation of martial arts icons to the rising talent now stepping into the spotlight. It mirrors the narrative itself: striving to secure a brighter future for future generations to come. Blade of the Guardians is, at its heart, a martial arts film through and through, laying its soul bare and inviting the audience to decide for themselves whether that future is bright.
From an audio perspective, the film is utterly incredible. The sound design, from the clash of swords to the whistle of arrows, to the collision of punches and kicks, carries real weight and impact. At times, I thought the speakers might explode from just the sheer intensity. The score is equally as electric, shifting between traditional Chinese instrumentation, throat singing, and driving rock. It amplifies every scene it touches and elevates the storytelling to exhilarating heights.
Blade of the Guardians is Yuen Woo-ping at his very best, delivering a Wuxia epic like only he could. Featuring jaw-dropping, spellbinding action, strong performances, and a story that ties everything together into a cohesive, satisfying whole. Blades of the Guardians is the kind of film that must be seen to be believed, a truly fantastic achievement.
★★★★1/2
Wu jing, Nicholas Tse, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sun Yizhou, Chen Lijun / Dir: Yuen Woo-Ping / Well Go USA / 15
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