In this expensive simulation of a martial arts B-movie, a lot of fun is had with the hair and make-up. Golden Lion, a warrior from 19th-century China, boasts a Zsa Zsa Gabor-style barnet, while Silver Lion, his adopted son-turned-enemy, resembles Jon Bon Jovi. Later, Silver Lion sports John Lennon glasses. For those in the know, it’s hilarity all the way.
Not all the laughs are intentional, though. Sleepy-eyed RZA, founder of the Wu-Tang Clan and the film’s director, co-writer and star, has a lot of famous pals, including Russell Crowe. The latter plays a debauched Brit who, at one point, shows up in a brothel. Taking one look at a rival, he calls him a “stout fellow”. It would make sense if the rival were to reply, “Look who’s talking?”
Still, beer gut or no, Crowe’s the best thing on offer. Some of the special effects are nice, but RZA is a protege of Tarantino (who gets a “presented by” credit) and his gory, goofy epic is self-defeatingly “Tarantino-esque”. The film’s message: be loyal to your master. It’s genuinely amusing that The Man with the Iron Fists proves how tedious reverence can be.
