Fist of the Condor (2023) Marko Zaror & Ernesto Dias Espinoza project

[ShaOW!linDude]

Yes, please! Finally! Why isn't Zaror cranking films like Adkins? The guy's got mad skills.

The Fist of the Condor - Film Combat Syndicate story

[Drunken Monk]

This is a side note but the director of Headshot will apparently be directing Zaror alongside Yayan Ruhian in an upcoming movie called One Good Thing.

[Super Ninja]

Oh yes! Finally a new Zaror/Espinoza collab, can't freakin' wait. I'm OK with rewatching Redeemer and Mirage Man over and over again, but a fresh dose of Zaror is more than welcome. 

Hopefully this team-up with Yayan delivers, he's been busy but I'm hoping for more Raid and less Yakuza Apocalypse or Beyond Skyline. 

[ShaOW!linDude]

So, apparently this isn't a movie, but a new digital series that is in production. The premise isn't anything new, but still sounds interesting.

Fist of the Condor details

[Super Ninja]

Sounds great if you ask me, can't wait!

[DrNgor]

Any news on this specific project?

[AlbertV]

Teaser trailer is up!

 

[Super Ninja]

This looks incredible! Zaror looks super lean in that trailer.

[KUNG FU BOB]

This looks great! Lots of old-school kung fu training type sequences in the trailer are giving me the warm and fuzzies.

If only Marko Zaror was putting out the amount of movies like Scott Adkins (and some more with them co-starring) has in the last ten years, action cinema would be that much better for it.

[Drunken Monk]

Am I the only one that thinks this looks awful? I understand it probably didn't have much of a budget but it looks almost insultingly cheap. On top of that, the action does absolutely nothing for me. Maybe I'm just a joyless old bastard.

[KUNG FU BOB]

3 minutes ago, Drunken Monk said:

Am I the only one that thinks this looks awful? I understand it probably didn't have much of a budget but it looks almost insultingly cheap. On top of that, the action does absolutely nothing for me. Maybe I'm just a joyless old bastard.

But your our joyless old bastard.

There's not as thriving a film-making community there as compared to the USA, UK, Hong Kong, etc, so it stands to figure that it's going to have a bit of that look. But personally, I'm fine with that as seeing Zaror in action more than makes up for any other deficiencies the movies he's in may have.

[slinky#1]

Yeah hope the fancy is limited and quality is there somewhere. Will keep my eyes on it. I really like these with training etc. , so lets hope.

[laagi]

On 12/20/2022 at 5:39 PM, Drunken Monk said:

Am I the only one that thinks this looks awful? I understand it probably didn't have much of a budget but it looks almost insultingly cheap. On top of that, the action does absolutely nothing for me. Maybe I'm just a joyless old bastard.

Nah not the only one but I wouldn't call it down right awful. Cheap that's for sure! To me the trailer felt more like a parody of older and (potentially) better? films. But who am I to judge. I'll wait for the finished product  As should you... geezer LOL.

[ShaOW!linDude]

On 12/20/2022 at 10:34 AM, KUNG FU BOB said:

If only Marko Zaror was putting out the amount of movies like Scott Adkins (and some more with them co-starring) has in the last ten years, action cinema would be that much better for it.

I've felt that same sentiment for years. Not every Adkins film is a gem, for sure. But you can count on him for solid action. I think the same could be said for Zaror. It's a shame he hasn't had the same opportunity to crank out a steady flow of action fare. He's so fun to watch.

[whitesnake]

Well Go USA will release Fist of the Condor later this year (2023).

More info here - https://cityonfire.com/kiltro-director-ernesto-diaz-espinoza-and-redeemer-martial-arts-star-marko-zaror-reunite-for-the-fist-of-the-condor-part-one/#more-126026  

 

[Super Ninja]

So this will be a movie after all, not a series?

[One Armed Boxer]

Yes, it's a movie. It hits Well Go USA's Hi-Yah! streaming service on April 7th, followed by a Blu-ray release on May 23rd. I was lucky enough to get an advance screening, and gave it the full review treatment over at COF -

https://cityonfire.com/fist-of-the-condor-2023-review-marko-zaror-well-go-usa/

[Drunken Monk]

Fist of the Condor is a low budget, art house throwback with elements of classic 70's kung fu flicks and 90's cheese. And I loved every fuckin' minute of it.
The best way I can describe it is that it feels like an extended version of a Bryan Sloyer short film. If you don't know Sloyer, he goes by "Sloyerstunts" on YouTube. He's known for making somewhat poetic (and possibly pretentious) martial arts shorts. Well, here Espinoza and Zaror take that formula and run with it. What we get is a picturesque film loaded with top not action and surprisingly interesting characters.

The plot is simple. Zaror plays two brothers: one evil, one good. The evil brother has stolen the "fist of the condor" manual. The good brother wants to find the evil brother and kill him. Along the way, he meets a number of people that think he's the evil brother and want to kick his head in. The evil brother has a student. After all, Zaror can't fight himself in the finale. This isn't The One. There are other aspects to the plot but I don't want to spoil anything.

While we get (well written) poetical musings and a hero's journey that's truly engaging, we also get Zaror beating the piss out of people. And it's beautiful. I'm honestly not sure he's looked better. While I personally think tricking is outdated, it's blended seamlessly into the action and with the phenomenal cinematography, it looks wonderful.
Besides the tricking, we get complex exchanges and flurries of blows that boil over with power and precision. Even a goofy little bar brawl looks amazing with Zaror ferociously booting people across the screen.
I can promise you that you won't be let down by the action on display if you Zaror's previous work. Or even if you don't. What's on display is masterful.

Sadly, the horrendous wigs in this movie aren't as masterful as the fights.

This film isn't everyone's cup of tea though. It's not adrenaline filled and is a more quiet, contemplative flick. Some might even think it's a little "padded" with unnecessary flashbacks. Me? I loved them. Good old fashioned kung fu training sequences!
My point is, if you're looking for something like Scott Adkins' Accident Man or even the Zaror co-starring Undisputed III, then head for the hills. Fist of the Condor is uniquely subdued.

Thankfully, the action is fairly frequent. It's not packed to the rafters with fight scenes but there are more than enough to please the average action fan. 
They're pretty varied too. I don't know how old Man Soo Yoon is but even he gets a brief throwdown and he looks fantastic for an older guy.

It doesn't outstay its welcome either. It's roughly 80 minutes long and that is PERFECT. Any longer and I can imagine some viewers getting a bit tired of its tone. As it is, it gets in, tells its story and then gets the hell out.
It does need one more fight in its second half but that's a minor gripe. Fist of Condor is a minimalist triumph and, for context, I preferred it to Donnie Yen's latest effort, Sakra, which I also enjoyed a lot.

Grade: A

[laagi]

How on earth can folks in europe like myself watch this?! I couldn't find a single streaming service... So frustrating really!

[Drunken Monk]

5 minutes ago, laagi said:

How on earth can folks in europe like myself watch this?! I couldn't find a single streaming service... So frustrating really!

It’s a Hi-yah exclusive and since it’s not available in Europe, I imagine you’ll have to download it via…ahem…”other means.”

[kingofkungfu2002]

6 hours ago, laagi said:

How on earth can folks in europe like myself watch this?! I couldn't find a single streaming service... So frustrating really!

Well Go USA are releasing it on bluray on May 23rd.

[Super Ninja]

11 hours ago, kingofkungfu2002 said:

Well Go USA are releasing it on bluray on May 23rd.

Sweet, thanks! I'll be getting this one. 

[laagi]

On 4/15/2023 at 6:51 PM, Drunken Monk said:

It’s a Hi-yah exclusive and since it’s not available in Europe, I imagine you’ll have to download it via…ahem…”other means.”

[AlbertV]

The movie is streaming on Tubi! I'm watching it as we speak and am enjoying the hell out of it! The evil brother's student looks like Lindsey Buckingham LOL

Edited August 13, 2023 by AlbertV

[KUNG FU BOB]

I originally watched it on Hi-Yah! and purchased the Well Go USA Blu-ray once it was available. I haven't had a chance to rewatch it yet though.

I wonder how long it will be until we get to see part 2?