This 1993 Yuen Woo Ping, was just released in US theaters last Friday. For those of us that have already own the DVD or have the VHS copy, GO TO THE THEATER !!!! This kung fu classic is meant for the big screen.

This story, for those of you new to IRON MONKEY , it's basically a kung- fu version of Robin Hood or Zorro.

The Iron Monkey, played by Yu Rong Guang, steals from corrupt government officials and gives the bounty to the oppressed people living under the horrible conditions that the government has afflicted on them.

Iron Monkey is also Dr. Yang, a doctor in town who is always willing to help the injured or ill townspeople with his unique medicines and treatments. The only person who knows Dr. Yang is Iron Monkey is his assistant, Orchid Ho, played by the lovely Jean Wang.

The city officials are preparing for a visit by government leaders, prompting Governor Chang (James Wong) to arrest anyone who is a stranger or who resembles the masked avenger.

This is where we meet Wong Kei Ying, played by the brilliant Donnie Yen and his young son Wong Fei Hung ( who we all know is played by Jet Li as an adult in ONCE UPON a TIME in CHINA trilogy). Ying and his son are captured by the government. Ying agrees to hunt down Iron Monkey in exchange for his son's release as well as his. Ying starts the hunt, his son, is taken to prison. This is where the story gets good ! Eventually, no one wants to help Ying and the town knows he is trying to stop Iron Monkey. He is approached by Orchid and introduces him to Dr. Yang.

After a few more plot twists and many wonderful fight scenes, everyone begins to team up and leads us to what I feel is one of the greatest finales in Hong Kong action.

This is a classic !!!! There is NOTHING like it ! I am so happy that MIRAMAX (with help from Quentin Tarantino) has released this in US theaters. There isnt much different form the video version, except for some minor editing to help the pacing and better subtitles. The print is so clean and the sound is very rich ! Shadow kicks never sounded better !

For any viewers not familiar with this kind of genre, this is a great introduction. Viewers can see where this film influenced many other US as well as Asian productions. The film made Donnie Yen a sensation in Asia. We all know Yuen Woo Ping as a fight choreographer for the MATRIX and other HONG KONG action films, but as a director , the film is visually stunning. The wire work is some of the best ever seen.

Besides the Iron Monkey and Ying, the character of Wong Fei Hung (by the way, that's a young girl playing a boy !) steals the show !

If you liked the Matrix, Batman, Zorro , Robin Hood or Hong Kong action films, this will hit the spot.