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Iron Monkey (1993)

© Jonathan L. Bowen

Iron Monkey is a prequel to Once Upon A Time in China (1991) starring Jet Li. In Iron Monkey, Wong Fei-Hung is just a young boy, although the actor playing the legendary character is actually a girl. Iron Monkey is a character in the movie that steals from wealthy people within a small Chinese town, then gives their money to the poor and less fortunate. Iron Monkey is almost synonymous with Robin Hood, only the former fights alone.

When a new martial arts master arrives in town by the name of Wong Kay-ying, authorities suspect that he is the Iron Monkey, so they arrest him and his son. Immediately after the head authority orders the execution of Wong Kay-ying, the real Iron Monkey appears. After several minutes of fighting, Iron Monkey escapes and the town leader tells Wong Kay-ying that he must find and arrest the Iron Monkey within seven days or face the consequences. Meanwhile, the guards detain his son, Wong Fei-Hung, while Kay-ying searches for the Iron Monkey. After the Iron Monkey helps recapture Fei-Hung, Kay-ying eventually sides with his former adversary in a struggle against their true enemies.

Iron Monkey is a very good movie and boasts some fantastic fight sequences, which is not surprising considering that Yuen Woo Ping (The Tai-Chi Master, Fist of Legend, The Matrix) directed it. Some picky fans will complain about the extensive wire use, but the fight scenes are really impressive. It is often necessary for the characters in Hong Kong action movies to possess superhuman strength and agility because their abilities already seem greater than those of any normal human.

As opposed to having one or two really great fight scenes, Iron Monkey has smaller fights throughout that are all very impressive. Nevertheless, the climactic final showdown is unique and inventive. There are hundreds of other Hong Kong action movies, but somehow Yuen Woo Ping found a way to create a unique finale. It is also refreshing to see two heroes against one villain, since usually audiences must watch one single hero take on numerous villains. The teamwork between the former rivals makes for a great fight and both actors are very talented martial artists.

The production values are consistently high and the score resembles the music in the Once Upon A Time in China movies. The plot is also sensible and engaging, not just an outline for setting up some great fights. There is real conflict and tension between Wong Kay-ying and the Iron Monkey. Kay-ying feels that the outlaw should "go straight," but the Iron Monkey wants to help the poor people and stop oppression. In the end, the two come to terms and recognize their true enemies, but not until both are seriously injured from the villain's special martial arts moves.

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