Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Metascore
49 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. NPR
    Reviewed by: Mark Jenkins
    Apr 25, 2011
    75
    Flashy and fun, and a nifty showcase for Yen.
  2. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    Apr 21, 2011
    67
    This isn't at the same level of quality as Yen's "Ip Man 2," which played earlier this year and was one of the best martial arts movies in a long time. But it is entertaining, even if it does ask you to suspend boatloads of disbelief.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    Apr 21, 2011
    67
    It's just too bad that Legend Of The Fist breaks up that action with long scenes of well-dressed men and women sitting around in nightclubs, talking politics.
  4. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    May 2, 2011
    60
    When the film shifts to Shanghai and the club Casablanca, there's too much lustrous-hued loitering and too few martial­-arts set pieces.
  5. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Steve Ramos
    Apr 19, 2011
    60
    Pleasantly old fashioned, with plush period sets of '20s Shanghai and actual hand-to-hand combat.
  6. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    Apr 22, 2011
    50
    Too bad it lacks a substantial story to go along with the kick-ass combat scenes.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Apr 21, 2011
    50
    It's generally fun to watch Mr. Yen move and not much fun to watch him act, and Legend of the Fist is no exception.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Justin Chang
    Apr 19, 2011
    50
    This superhero spin on a largely Eastern legend will appeal primarily to Asian genre aficionados on homevid.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    Apr 28, 2011
    40
    Comes close to overdosing on bone-pulverizing kickassery at the expense of a plot that ricochets from the nationalistically fatuous to the lovestruck, farcical before shutting down completely in favor of punch-drunk loveliness.
  10. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mark Olsen
    Apr 21, 2011
    40
    Unexpectedly flatfooted when it should be light on its toes, Legend of The Fist fails to pack much of a punch.
  11. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Apr 19, 2011
    40
    The movie's infrequent martial-arts centerpieces deliver the feeblest of punches.
  12. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nick Pinkerton
    Apr 19, 2011
    40
    Anyone who's seen a martial-arts picture expects a certain amount of thumb-twiddling between the big numbers, but director Andrew Lau's handling of exposition is markedly poor, distended with rubbish plotlines, flashy sadism, and overwrought jingo.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JollyRogerOmni
    6
    About average as martial arts pics go anymore. Donnie Yen is fun to watch as always. This Chinese-language film takes the typical anti-Japanese stance which is understandable given the setting. I would however for once like to see western actors in an Asian film be proficient enough in the language they're speaking as not to look like Jar Jar Binks attempting to perform Shakespere. Poor dubbing aside Return of Chen Zhen is a pretty good film. It is well choreographed and should satisfy action lovers.… Full Review »
  2. JesterOnCoke
    8
    Legend of the Fist maybe a little boring at times due to the average story, but going through that to see the spectacular choreography of the fight scenes are totally worth it. Every fight scene is handled with care and will entice any fan of martial arts films.… Full Review »
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