History Film / FistOfLegend

* KickTheSonOfABitch: Near the end, General Fujita brings out the Jingwu student who helped to poison Master Huo. Considering that [[spoiler: the student's accomplice, the Jingwu school's cook, actually had more sympathetic reasons for agreeing to poison Master Huo (his son was being held captive)]], the traitorous Jingwu student comes off especially as TheQuisling and a DirtyCoward. It's next to impossible to root against Fujita in that one instance as he [[spoiler: finally puts a bullet in the traitor's head]].

* OneFreeHit Subverted. In the middle of the fight with Chen, General Fujita pointedly drops his guard and invites Chen to hit him. Given that Fujita has repeatedly done a NoSell but in real fights and during training, one might think he's going to take Chen's best shot and NoSell it as a form of intimidation. Chen goes for a big kick... and Fujita, being the ruthless, dirty fighting, CombatPragmatist that he is, dodges the blow instead of trying to tank it and uses that as an opportunity to toss Chen around for awhile.

* RareGuns: Fujita uses a Nambu Type 94 to execute the traitor.

The film, thankfully, tones the [[{{Anvilicious}} rather virulent]] [[UnfortunateImplications anti-Japanese sentiment]] that was present in the original film down a bit. Whereas the conflict between China and Japan is still a theme, it's portrayed in a less-cartoonish one-sided light, and there are several noble Japanese characters.

** Akutegawa is a sore loser, but when he learns Master Huo was poisoned before their fight, he's sorely pissed about the dishonor.
** Fumio Funakoshi apologises for the violence and racism of his students attacking Chen Zhen at the start of the movie, and expresses sympathy for the death of his master. When they have their battle later, both show respect to one another and it is Fumio who stops their fight to the death out of respect even though he has Chen in a death grip, and Chen himself admits that he ''lost'' the fight.

* AntiVillain: Akutegawa is a sore loser, but when he learns Master Huo was poisoned before their fight, he's sorely pissed about the dishonor.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Fumio Funakoshi is a fictional character, but he is depicted as senior member of the real-life Black Dragon Society who is unusually tolerant and respectful of Chinese people, particularly Chen Zhen, and apologises for the racism and bigotry of his students. The actual Black Dragon Society was a hardline ultranationalist paramilitary organization involved in crime, espionage and murder, and had several high-ranking members in the Japanese government who were the prime movers of Japan's aggressive foreign policy. Funokoshi should really be the ''most'' racist and bigoted character in the movie, and worst still, had he been a real person, might even have been involved in masterminding the invasion of Shanghai itself! \\

** Fumio Funakochi apologises for the violence and racism of his students attacking Chen Zhen at the start of the movie, and expresses sympathy for the death of his master. When they have their battle later, both show respect to one another and it is Fumio who stops their fight to the death out of respect even though he has Chen in a death grip, and Chen himself admits that he ''lost'' the fight.

The film touches on this by having Funokochi argue that the Black Dragon has become corrupt and lost its way, but in reality they were always involved in political extremism and pan-Asianism. Funokochi himself is likely based on its founder Ryōhei Uchida, who was also a famous martial arts master, although his name and personality comes from Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan style Karate.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Fumio Funakochi is a fictional character, but he is depicted as senior member of the real-life Black Dragon Society who is unusually tolerant and respectful of Chinese people, particularly Chen Zhen, and apologises for the racism and bigotry of his students. The actual Black Dragon Society was a hardline ultranationalist paramilitary organization involved in crime, espionage and murder, and had several high-ranking members in the Japanese government who were the prime movers of Japan's aggressive foreign policy. Funokochi should really be the ''most'' racist and bigoted character in the movie, and worst still, had he been a real person, might even have been involved in masterminding the invasion of Shanghai itself! \\
The film touches on this by having Funokochi argue that the Black Dragon has become corrupt and lost its way, but in reality they were always involved in political extremism and pan-Asianism. Funokochi himself is likely based on its founder Ryōhei Uchida, who was also a famous martial arts master.

* MyCountryRightOrWrong: Fujita lectures that true bushido is to ignore morals in service to the emperor, even if it means being viewed by history as a villain.

* ApothecaryAlligator: A kung fu master uses dried crocodile to treat his asthma, knowledge of which is used to poison him.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: When Mitsuko testifies that Chen was in her hotel room on the night when [[spoiler: Akutegawa was murdered]] ("We were awake in bed the whole time, what else would we do?"), the Japanese side of the courtroom bursts out laughings.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: When Mitsuko testifies that Chen was in her hotel room on the night when [[spoiler: Akutegawa was murdered]] ("We were awake in bed the whole time, what else would we do?"), the Japanese side of the courtroom roars with laughter.

** When Akutegawa argues with Fujita over the murder of Huo and the meaning of the Samurai spirit, Fujita's JerkJustifications are different--in English, he's a [[TheSociopath sociopath]] who argues it's about MightMakesRight and [[TheUnfettered winning at all costs]]; in the original, he's a fanatic who believes in [[MyMasterRightOrWrong absolute devotion to the Emperor]] even if it means [[IDidWhatIHadToDo going down in history as a criminal]].

** The ending: [[spoiler: Chen says he'll be with Mitsuko, whereas in the original, he's going to a warzone.]]

* HeroicBSOD: After losing to Chen, Ting-An gives up the title of headmaster, hides away in a brothel and develops an opium addiction (the latter is shown in the Taiwanese version).
** GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: ...until his lover finally contacts Jingwu, which persuades him to go back.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Fumio Funakochi is a fictional character, but he is depicted as senior member of the real-life Black Dragon Society who is unusually tolerant and respectful of Chinese people, particularly Chen Zhen, and apologises for the racism and bigotry of his students. The actual Black Dragon Society was a hardline ultranationalist paramilitary organization involved in crime, espionage and murder, and had several high-ranking members in the Japanese government who were the prime movers of Japans' aggressive foreign policy. Funokochi should really be the ''most'' racist and bigoted character in the movie, and worst still, had he been a real person, might even have been involved in masterminding the invasion of Shanghai itself! \\
The film touches on this by having Funokochi argue that the Black Dragon has become corrupt and lost its way, but in reality they were always involved in political extremism and pan-Asianism. Funokochi himself is likely based on its' founder Ryōhei Uchida, who was also a famous martial arts master.

** [[ChekhovsLecture When instructing at Jingwu]], Chen emphasizes the importance of being able to withstand powerful attacks while also giving them.

* RazorSharpHand: Chen is discussing philosophy with Funakoshi. Chen says it's about power, and punches a rock. Funakoshi effortlessly swings his hand through the air, cutting a piece of paper in half and says it's not about power, but focusing that power.

See also the movie [[Film/Fearless2006 Fearless]], a sort of loose SpiritualSuccessor with its own continuity, where Li plays the master Huo Yuanjia himself [[note]]Huo was a real person, but that film was clearly influenced by this one, including a subplot where Huo is poisoned before a match against a Japanese opponent, which never happened in real life.[[/note]]

* LetsGetDangerous: This is what happens whenever Chen swaps to his kickboxing style, as it's when he focuses on ''winning''. Notably, it doesn't always work, when Fumio copies it he beats Chen handily (though insists it's a draw), and against General Fujita it barely grazes him.

See also the movie ''Film/{{Fearless}}'', a sort of loose SpiritualSuccessor with its own continuity, where Li plays the master Huo Yuanjia himself [[note]]Huo was a real person, but that film was clearly influenced by this one, including a subplot where Huo is poisoned before a match against a Japanese opponent, which never happened in real life.[[/note]]

* ForbiddenLove: Both Chen and Ting-An are in taboo relationships. The former because Chen's LoveInterest is Japanese and the latter because Ting-An's lover is a prostitute.

* HeelFaceDoorSlam: [[spoiler: The Jingwu cook poisoned Huo because his son was held hostage and he got a lot of money for the deed. After [[GuiltRiddenAccomplice he starts to regret]] the [[WasItReallyWorthIt aftermath of Huo's death]], the ''other'' Jingwu traitor strangles him.]]

** Really, other than General Fujita and the traitorous student, almost every single antagonist in the movie is an AntiVillain one way or the other. Most of them are {{Unwitting Pawn}}s of the former and even the most bigoted and racist characters on either side sincerely believe that the other is guilty of murder because of a FrameUp, or in the case of [[spoiler: the cook who poisoned Master Huo]] or the Japanese ambassador, were manipulated or forced into the murder plot.

* HeroWithBadPublicity: Chen Zhen's reputation is ruined after his relationship with the Japanese Mitsuko is exposed.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Fumio Funakochi is a fictional character, but he is depicted as senior member of the real-life Black Dragon Society who is unusually tolerant and respectful of Chinese people, particularly Chen Zhen, and apologises for the racism and bigotry of his students. The actual Black Dragon Society was a hardline ultranationalist paramilitary organization involved in crime, espionage and murder, and had several high-ranking members in the Japanese government who were the prime movers of Japans' aggressive foreign policy. Funokochi should really be the ''most'' racist and bigoted character in the movie, and worst still, had he been a real person, might even have been involved in masterminding the invasion of Shanghai itself! [[note]]The film touches on this by having Funokochi argue that the Black Dragon has become corrupt and lost its way, but in reality they were always involved in political extremism and pan-Asianism. Funokochi himself is likely based on its' founder Ryōhei Uchida, who was also a famous martial arts master.[[/note]]

* KangarooCourt: Chen's trial for [[spoiler: murdering Akutegawa]] is comically one-sided, as Chinese witnesses aren't allowed, and even though the Japanese witnesses were offering BlatantLies and even doing ''that'' poorly, the case was still somehow going against Chen until Mitsuko testified on his behalf.

* LighterAndSofter: Compared to the original ''Film/FistOfFury'', the conflict between the Chinese and Japanese is presented as less black-and-white and there are sympathetic characters on both sides (although the Japanese military are definitely the villains). Chen Zhen is also far less bloodthirsty and bent on revenge in this movie than in the previous [[spoiler: and gets a happier ending]], and the lighting and sets of each film are on opposite ends of the SlidingScaleOfShinyVersusGritty.

** Huo Yuanjia died in one hit from Akutegawa [[WorfHadTheFlu because he was poisoned before the match]].

** Ting-An suffers this while still fresh off a HeroicBSOD, slipping-up during practice drills.

* TheHeroDies: [[spoiler: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted!]] Chen offers his life for killing Fujita (whose death would've been used by Japan as a {{pretext for war}}). Instead, the Japanese ambassador helps Chen [[FakingTheDead fake his death]] and escape Shanghai]].

* BigDamnHeroes:
** At Chen's trial, Chinese witnesses are not allowed (due to Chen's popularity in Shanghai) so the Japanese Mitsuko [[SurpriseWitness testifies on his behalf]] to get him acquitted.
** Before Ting-An leaves for the final duel with General Fujita, Chen shows up to fight alongside him.
* {{Bowdlerise}}: The English-dubbed Miramax version:

** The "Sick Men of Asia" sign is translated as "Jingwu is closed"

Had a semi-reboot prequel of the same name in 2019.

* ForbiddenLove: Both Chen and Ting-An are in taboo relationships. Only the latter gets resolved.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Fumio Funakochi is a fictional character, but he is depicted as senior member of the real-life Black Dragon Society who is unusually tolerant and respectful of Chinese people, particularly Chen Zhen, and apologises for the racism and bigotry of his students. The actual Black Dragon Society was a hardline ultranationalist paramilitary organization involved in crime, espionage and murder, and had several high-ranking members in the Japanese government who were the prime movers of Japans' aggressive foreign policy. Funokochi should really be the ''most'' racist and bigoted character in the movie, and worst still, had he been a real person, might even have been involved in masterminding the invasion of Shanghai itself! [[note]]The film touches on this by having Funokochi argue that the Black Dragon has become corrupt and lost its' way, but in reality they were always involved in political extremism and pan-Asianism. Funokochi himself is likely based on its' founder Ryōhei Uchida, who was also a famous martial arts master.[[/note]]

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: When Mitsuko testifies that Chen was in her hotel room on the night Akutegawa was murdered ("We were awake in bed the whole time, what else would we do?"), the Japanese side of the courtroom roars with laughter.

** At Chen's trial for the murder of Akutagawa, Chinese witnesses are not allowed (due to Chen's popularity in Shanghai) so the Japanese Mitsuko [[SurpriseWitness testifies on his behalf]] to get him acquitted.

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Chen Zhen's first scene has him kick the asses of a bunch of karate students trying to force him out of Kyoto University, establishing his martial skill and cultural assertiveness.

* FrameUp: Fujita frames Chen for Akutegawa's murder, but once the case makes it to court, the frame job looks pathetically weak. Among other things, one of the false witnesses provided claims that he saw Chen stab Akutegawa when the man died of a broken spine.

* KangarooCourt: Chen's trial for murdering Akutegawa is comically one-sided, as Chinese witnesses aren't allowed and even though the Japanese witnesses were offering BlatantLies and even doing ''that'' poorly, the case was still somehow going against Chen until Mitsuko testified on his behalf.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: Near the end, General Fujita brings out the Jingwu student who helped to poison Master Huo. Considering that the student's accomplice, the Jingwu school's cook, actually had more sympathetic reasons for agreeing to poison Master Huo (his son was being held captive), the traitorous Jingwu student comes off especially as TheQuisling and a DirtyCoward. It's next to impossible to root against Fujita in that one instance as he [[spoiler: finally puts a bullet in the traitor's head]].
* KingpinInHisGym: The Big Bad General Fujita gets a scene showing him training by hammering nails into boards with his bare palms, smashing slabs of rock, and letting a team of students break thick wooden rods over his body, to establish his overwhelming power and resilience in combat.

* NeverBringAKnifeToAFistFight: In the final fight, as Fujita's losing, he pulls a katana and gets his ass handed to him even worse before Chen kills him with his own sword.

* StormingTheCastle: Chen Zhen's one-man assault on Akutegawa's dojo before facing the man himself. Later [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs Akutegawa's students invade Jingwu]] in vengeance for their master's death.
* TakeAThirdOption: After Chen's trial, [[AHouseDivided Jingwu is split on what to do with Mitsuko]] and he is told to either leave her or leave the school. Ting-An forces him into a third option by challenging him for the title of headmaster. Chen defeats him but refuses to accept the title or abandon Mitsuko, so all that's left for him is to leave Jingwu.