New Fist of Fury (1976)

New Fist of Fury is the kind of scrappy, hard-hitting kung fu thriller that reminds you why the genre became a global language: clear emotions, clean choreography, and stakes you can feel in every punch. It’s especially rewarding as an early showcase for Jackie Chan, where his raw athleticism and authentic technique shine before the polish of his later superstardom, giving the fights a bracing, grounded snap. The film’s occupied-setting tension adds a simmering edge, and it helps that the villain isn’t just a mustache-twirler but a genuinely effective presence who makes every confrontation matter. If you’re looking for a sleek modern action film you may find it rough around the edges, but if you want solid fight sequences with classic underdog fury, it’s an easy recommendation.

New Fist of Fury is clearly trying to bottle the righteous, anti-occupation revenge energy of Bruce Lee’s classics, with Jackie Chan positioned as the next big thing. The problem is it plays like a rough draft: the story wanders, the pacing drags between confrontations, and the action rarely delivers the inventive choreography you’re hoping for. If you’re coming specifically for peak Jackie, be warned he’s oddly underused and the film leans more on familiar beats than standout set pieces. Still, if you’re a kung-fu completist or you enjoy gritty, old-school studio-era revenge dramas, there are flashes of intensity that may make it a tolerable watch.