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

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Summary

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

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

  • Despite the repetitive plot, the film impresses with top-notch martial arts choreography that has earned praise from critics.

A solid martial arts drama with spectacular action and a plot good enough to make you care doesn't come around all that often, but there's a recent arrival that deserves more attention. Set in 1920s Tianjin, this Chinese action film is a must for fans of the martial arts genre.

The movie in question is 100 yardswhich was directed by brothers Xu Haofeng and Xu Junfeng. Originally released in 2023, it was only after Well Go USA Entertainment acquired North American distribution rights to the film that it premiered in the US on November 8, 2024. 100 yards is now available to stream and rent, and here's why it should be next on the watch list for any true martial arts movie fan.

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what is 100 yards O?

Story and plot details

100 yards more movie

The story of 100 yards revolves around a power struggle to take over a martial arts academy in Tianjin. Due to a serious illness, Master Shen is faced with the task of choosing his successor. The contenders are his son Shen An; and his best student, Qi Quan. The duel between Quan and An ends with the apprentice becoming the successor and taking over the academy. But this is just the beginning of a long battle of egos and intrigue that threatens the entire city.

Time period plays an important role in a simple story 100 yards. Only after 1912 were martial arts schools established in Tianjin, after the fall of the Qing dynasty. In the film, Chinese traditions and Western influence become key factors in the ever-escalating power struggle between An and Quan. In particular, the name comes from the strict code that forbids any fighting more than 100 yards outside the academy gates, leading to further chaos.

Why martial arts fans should watch 100 yards

Action sequences and technical excellence

still from 100 yards (2023)

100 yards is Xu Junfeng's feature directorial debut, but his brother Xu Haofeng has previously worked on films such as The Last Master, Hidden Swordand even co-wrote Wong Kar-wai's Grandmaster. Despite the plot that may seem repetitive, the directors have done a great job of showcasing some excellent fight sequences in the film. 100 yards offers an excellent combination of hand-to-hand combat and weapons.

The film is a non-stop martial arts experience with no shortage of variety. Whether it's one-on-one or one-on-twenty combat, weapons come in a variety of lengths and types, including ropes and chains. This is a truly indulgent experience for fans of the event. 100 yards is strong on a technical level, with stunt choreography, camera work and editing all working in sync. This creates a tense rhythm where the audience can easily follow the action.

Sound design and editing

Lately, some martial arts movies use jump cuts to cover up the fact that the actors aren't skilled fighters, but that's not the case here. 100 yards doesn't shy away from showing how everyone involved in the film is a proper martial artist, and it elevates the fight scenes to a whole new level.

Another impressive aspect of the film is its impeccable sound design. In order to feel every punch, block and kick, the sound has to enhance each strike and sustain the energy while being believable. The level of detail in the foley sounds is commendable. And that's the place 100 yards it really delivers, despite a plot that often gets lost in the action.

A few flaws that can be ignored

Action enthusiasts won't have much to complain about 100 yards. However, viewers who might be squeamish about the plot and characters might find issues with its execution. The power struggle between the two overpowered protagonists can be frustrating as it devolves into an almost repetitive cycle of rematches and intrigue.

Despite the idea of ​​a martial arts ring maintaining order and honor in the community, neither Quan nor An seem to have any honor as they have no problem turning the city into their little battleground. So the stakes and goals are best ignored and the action should be the primary expectation of the film.

What the critics were saying 100 yards

A must watch for event fans

still from 100 yards

Despite some issues with the story and central characters, the action in 100 yards was enough to garner genuine critical acclaim. The film is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 83% rating from 18 critics' reviews, which is rare for a film of this genre. As expected, much of his praise comes from his top-notch martial arts choreography. Film critic David Ehrlich called 100 yards an incredibly elegant martial arts epic on par with 1980s martial arts movies, and shared his thoughts in his review for IndieWire:

100 Yards is nothing more than a classic martial arts film, yet this riveting tale of turn-of-the-century Tianjin has been shot and staged with such radical elegance that it feels less like a throwback than a pursuit of a new form.

Beyond its entertainment value, some critics have praised the directors for their confidence in their vision, creating a pure martial arts experience with a mix of politics and ego drama. In his review, Simon Abrams points out that the film's flaws are worth overlooking RogerEbert.com:

It is a period drama whose dense plot, colorful dialogues and exciting action scenes often either exceed our expectations or pass them by without drawing attention to themselves. […] It's a stylish and modern action flick that also features some of the most satisfying fight choreography and action of the year. Light on its feet and eager to show off, 100 Yards confirms Xu's status as one of the best working action directors around.

Where to watch 100 yards

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

Title

100 yards

directors

Xu Haofeng, Xu Junfeng

Cast

  • Jacky Heung

  • Andy He

  • Bea Hayden Kuo

  • Tang Shiyi

  • Li Yuan

Language

Tangerine

Running time

108 minutes

Evaluation

PG-13

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