This new certified martial arts film is a must see for fans of the genre

SUMMARY

• Martial arts fans must watch the Chinese action movie “100 Yards” for its amazing action sequences.

• “100 Yards” focuses on the power struggle and chaos at Tianjin's martial arts academy in the 1920s.

• Despite the repetitive plot, the film impresses with top-notch martial arts choreography, earning critical acclaim.

Martial arts dramas with amazing action and a good plot to deal with don't come along very often, but there are recent arrivals that deserve more attention. This Chinese action film, set in 1920s Tianjin, is a must-see for fans of the martial arts genre.

The movie in question is 100 metersled by brothers Xu Haofeng and Xu Junfeng. It was originally slated for release in 2023, and after Well Go USA Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights to the film, it was released in the USA on November 8, 2024. 100 meters is now available to stream and rent, and here's why it's a must-see for any martial arts fan.

What is the 100 meters About?

The details of the story and the story

The history of 100 meters revolves around a power struggle to take over Tianjin's martial arts academy. Master Shen is faced with the task of choosing his successor due to a serious illness. The contestants are his son Shen An; and the best student, Qi Quan. The war between Quan and An ended and the student became the successor and took over the academy. But this is just the beginning of a long war of selfishness and evil plans that endangers the entire city.

Seasons play an important role in the simple story of 100 meters. A martial arts school was not established in Tianjin until after 1912, after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. In the film, Chinese traditions and Western influences become major factors in the ever-growing power struggle between An and Quan. The title, in particular, comes from the strict code that prohibits all fights beyond 100 meters outside the gates of the academy, which leads to more chaos.

Why martial arts fans should watch 100 meters

Business Continuity & Technical Efficiency

100 meters marks Xu Junfeng's debut as a director, but his brother, Xu Haofeng, has already worked on films such as The Last Master, Hidden swordand even co-wrote Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmaster. Despite the possibly repetitive plot, the director has done a good job of portraying some good fight sequences in the film. 100 meters offers a nice mix of hand-to-hand combat and weaponry.

The film is a non-stop martial arts experience with no shortage of variety. Whether it's a one-on-one battle or a battle of twenty, weapons vary in length and type, including ropes and chains. It's an exciting experience for action fans. 100 meters is strong on the technical front, with stunt choreography, camera work, and editing that work in sync. This creates a tight rhythm that allows the audience to easily follow the action.

Sound design and editing

Not too long ago, martial arts movies used jump cuts to hide the fact that the characters weren't good fighters, but that's not the case here. 100 meters Everyone involved in the film does not shy away from showing off their respective martial arts expertise, and elevates the fighting scene to a whole new level.

Another impressive aspect of the film is the impeccable sound design. In order to feel every beat, block and kick, the voice needs to enhance every beat and maintain energy and believable too. The level of detail in the foley sound is commendable. And there it is 100 meters very liberating, despite the plot that often gets lost in the action.

A few mistakes can be ignored

Action fans will have nothing to complain about 100 meters. However, audiences who may be wary of the story and characters may find it difficult to execute. A power struggle between two already defeated main characters can be frustrating, as it devolves into a cycle of rematches and almost repetitive tactics.

Despite the idea of ​​martial arts circles maintaining order and honor in a society, neither Quan nor An seem to have any honor, as they have no problem betraying the city. they will be their little square. Therefore, stakes and goals are ignored, and action should be the primary focus of the film.

What the critics said 100 meters

A must see for action fans

Despite some problems with its story and main characters, the action in 100 meters is enough to garner critical acclaim. The film has been certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 83% from 18 critics, which is rare for a film of this genre. As expected, most of his praise comes from his superior martial arts choreography. Film critic David Ehrlich called 100 meters a very stylish martial arts biopic that can be compared to a 1980s martial arts movie, and IndieWire shared their thoughts in their review:

100 Yards is nothing if not a classic martial arts film, but this gritty tale of 10th-century Tianjin is shot and handled with an intense art that feels less like a setback than a quest. news. form.

Beyond the entertainment value, some critics praised the director for his confidence in his vision, creating a pure martial arts experience with a mix of politics and ego drama. Simon Abrams highlights how the film's flaws should be addressed in its review RogerEbert.com:

It's a drama with a strong plot, witty dialogue, and action scenes that often either overwhelm our expectations or jump over them without caring about themselves. […] It's a stylish and modern action movie that also features some of the year's most satisfying fight choreography and action filmmaking. Light on its feet and eager to show off, 100 Yards confirms Xu as one of the best working action directors.

Where to Look 100 meters

100 meters now available live on Apple TV+. The Chinese action film is also available for rent on platforms such as Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, and Prime Video.