I don't know about anyone else, but after watching "The Legend of Chen Zhen" and Donny kick some Japanese ass, I found myself pumping my fist into the air as our Chinese Kung Fu beat the living shit out of that dirty "Jap*" bastard. Then I thought, holy cow, who was the last guy that got me so nationalistically how and sweaty riled up? Why, it was the old "Duke" himself, John Wayne. That guy had me signing on the dotted line for 4 of my best youthful years, and I to spend them wearing the most hideous color green. I then recalled that Yen also recently appeared in a period movie about providing protection for Sun Yat Sen, and stunningly portrayed Ip Man, in another 2 movie nationalist romp. This is rather important. Given the political situation between the PRC and the international community, it seems that the Chinese government is willing to use public sentiment to bash Japan et al, as much as possible, and most Chinese (apparently myself included) aren't sophisticated enough while watching these cinema fantasies, to understand that these are only imaginary stories presented as period docudrama. Thus, I wouldn't be surprised if ultimately, the funding for these movies came from the PRC government. The Chinese government seems to rely a lot on using sentiment of the masses directed at others, in order to distract from its misdeeds. That's the classic Mao maneuver of the Cultural Revolution. While I too, enjoy Mr. Yen's awesome movies; I'm also beginning to feel like I'm being used. That is, I'm enjoying them a bit too much, and beginning to hate others as a result of watching them. I find that scary... -unsure *Jap, a term when used to denoted someone of Japanese ancestry, is the equivalent of what the term Chinaman or Chink is to someone of Chinese ancestry. It is considered to be insulting. The proper term would be Japanese, or if abbreviated, Jpn.
I feel the same Ralph. It's Donnie Yen btw =] When I watched Ipman 1, and saw Donnie fighting the 10 japs (inc the last fight), adrenaline rush pumped up and I feel like fighting. Not for Ipman 2 though. The legend of Chen Zhen wasn't as intense as Ipman1. This is my opinion.
