DVD Synopsis: Six hundred years ago, during the Ming Dynasty, China possessed a secret intelligence agency, The Jinyiwei. Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Jinyiwei were masters of the 14 Blades. Above the law and with a license to kill, they devoted their lives to their Emperor. When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch Jia, the best of the Jinyiwei, Qinglong (Donnie Yen) is assigned to identify those still loyal to the Emperor. Unbeknownst to Qinglong, the Jinyiwei have fallen under control of Jia, and during the mission he's betrayed. Now as the most wanted man in the land Qinglong must rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power. (114 Mins)

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Views: Donnie Yen plays Qinlong, the strongest fighter in town and the leader of the Jin Yi Wei – a special division of Imperial Guards who are a law unto themselves. Because of his role, Qinlong has been gifted a special wooden box that contains the titular 14 blades. As his missions continue and live moves on, Qinlong soon finds out that he has been betrayed by another member of the clan, aided by a meddling and wicked eunuch. Now on the run, Yen finds support with a small gang led by Qiao Yung and his daughter, Hua. From here, our hero must find out why he was betrayed and take revenge before his men catch up with him, which leads to many stunning and fantastical battles that put the 14 blades to good use!

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Daniel Lee's career in the film industry has long divided critics and fans with his over-stylised direction, roller coaster of hits and misses, and sometimes muddled storytelling. Personally, though, I'm a huge fan! While his impressive debut What Price Survival may have been a period piece, Lee quickly moved into the genre of modern-action with titles such as the popular Jet Li flick Black Mask, A Fighters Blues, and underrated Sammo Hung film, Dragon Squad. As the Chinese epic fast became the go-to genre, Lee jumped on the bandwagon with his next slate of films that offered a step back-in-time with the fantastic Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, starring Andy Lau and Sammo Hung. The heavily Chinese studio invested 14 Blades came next and although a wuxia-thriller, it was much lighter on tone that helped make it one of the best films of his career so far. Of course, this was aided by a fantastic cast in the shape of the great Donnie Yen and others. Hot off the success of Teddy Chen's wonderful Bodyguard & Assassins, Yen was met with a busy year working on 3 massive films such as this, Andrew Lau's Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen, and the massive Ip Man 2 (which saw him star alongside Sammo Hung once again). All 3 films offered fans the chance to see Donnie in completely different roles, with the latter putting him back in the role of the legendary kung-fu master from his film that fast became one of his biggest hits ever. I really enjoy Yen in 14 Blades - he's stylish, cool, funny, and delivers some incredible moves that took me back to the new-wave wuxia classics of the early 90s. He is joined by the beautiful Vikki Zhao Wei who stars as Qiao Hua, and does as great a job as always. Although she first appeared on the scene in the mid 1990s, Zhao Wei first made an impression in Hong Kong action cinema with a role in Andrew Lau's The Duel alongside Andy Lau and Nick Cheung. This was followed by Chow SIng Chi's awesome Shaolin Soccer and Jeff Lau's Chinese Odyssey 2002, but it would be her role in Corey Yuen Kwai's awesome So Close action-flick that secured her place as a leading action starlet. After starring in 4 titles over 2003, Vikki would reduce her roles to almost one or two a year starring in films such as Warriors Of Heaven & Earth, The Postmodern Life Of My Aunt, Red Cliff 1 & 2, and Jingle Ma's Mulan. This would be her only film role of 2010, and always, Vikki proves to be a joy to watch and a great companion to Donnie for the most part. Hong Kong cinema legend, the late Wu Ma, stars as Zhao Wei's father Qiao Ying. Starting his acting career in the early 60s on Lady General Hua Mulan, Wu Ma went on to star in well over 300 films (not to mention many television shows) as well as directing almost 50, and working many projects as a co-director for Chang Cheh and the Shaw Brothers studio. Ma worked flat-out until his death in 2014 where he would still appear in a few titles and deliver his last directorial piece with Shigeshoshi. The gorgeous Wu Chun, actor, model, and member of Taiwanese Mandopop group Fahrenheit, stars as the desert bandit known as the Judge of the Desert. I first fell in love with Wu when I saw his debut feature role in Jingle Ma's underrated wuxia flick Butterfly Lovers, which was soon followed-up by this. The brilliant My Kingdom came next that saw him star alongside Yuen Biao, before going on to star in Magic To Win and Ronny Yu's fantastic Saving General Yang. At the time of writing, Chun's last role was in Lady Of The Dynasty in 2015 (which I've yet to see), but I am waiting with baited breath for his big screen return. All are joined by a bevy of HK cinema legends such as Fong Hak On, Chen Kuan Tai, and the amazing Sammo Hung in a non-action cameo – so don't be expecting any battles between him and Yen like their rumble in the awesome SPL or the aforementioned Ip Man 2...

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The incredible fight action is handled by the talented Dee Dee Ku (Ku Huen Chiu), an actor and action choreographer who has been a part of some incredible titles. As an actor, Ku first appeared in the classic Golden Harvest martial arts comedy My Lucky Stars before going on to appear in other hits like Royal Warriors, A Better Tomorrow 2, Tiger On The Beat, Seven Warriors, and Her Fatal Ways. Aces go Places 97 would be the last feature to star Dee Dee, with fans waiting over 20 years before seeing him back on screen in the Chin Kar Lok produced doco-film Kung Fu Stuntmen that features almost every major star of Hong Kong cinema. As an action-director and choreographer, Ku worked on films such as Tiger Cage 3, King Of Beggars, Hitman, The Banquet, The Four Trilogy, Tai Chi Master, Iron Monkey, Fist Of Legend, Black Mask, and many more with Yuen Woo Ping. In 14 Blades, he brings a host of stunningly choreographed fights highlighted by the grace and power of Donnie Yen – a man he has worked with for many years which I'm sure made things a little easier in getting what he wanted. Yen carries his lead role brilliantly and kicks ass pretty much the whole way through, finishing with an end battle reminiscent of a scene from the classic Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain! I must also mention that the film is beautifully shot by Tony Cheung Tung Leung – the man behind the lens of Drunken Master 2, Black Mask, Beast Cops, City Under Siege, and Daniel Lee films like Three Kingdoms, White Vengeance, Dragon Blade, and What Price Survival (of which he was nominated for Best Cinematographer) – who brings some stunning visuals to the screen that leave a lasting impression.

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It's safe to say that 14 Blades never loses steam and while it may have a few small hiccups in the shape of some dodgy CGI, it's never too distracting to be honest. With a little humour dusted along the way, the main plot is fairly simple but is strengthened by the story of humanity and romance – and of course, the kick-ass swordplay and kung-fu scenes which are fantastic. For a film made in 2010, this could easily slip in alongside 90's classics such as The Swordsman Trilogy, The Bride with White Hair, and Moon Warriors, and while it may not go down as a classic or end up in anyone's top ten, it certainly shouldn't be forgotten about!

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Overall: Stunningly shot, action-packed, and never dull, 14 Blades is one of Daniel Lee's best films!

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DVD Extras: Making of Documentary, Trailers

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