Coming from distributor Well Go USA, 100 Yards is everything I had hoped it would be and a little bit more. Focusing on the rivalry between two martial arts experts in 1920’s Tianjin, the plot could be seen as the same as hundreds of other martial arts tales. With 100 Yards it’s how this story is told that sets it apart from the crowd.
Generating terrific word of mouth, what really attracted me to the film was that it was co-directed by the awesome Xu Haofeng, helmer of modern day classics Judge Archer (2012) and The Final Master (2015). Even before the likes of these he had made a dent in the world of martial arts movies having written Wong Kar Wai’s masterpiece The Grandmaster (2013).
To be honest, I’m just glad that we are getting to see 100 Yards, as Xu’s follow up to The Final Master, martial arts saga The Hidden Sword (2017) was never afforded a proper release. While critically acclaimed when shown at festivals, for inexplicable reasons it was shelved. Even though 100 Yards was generating similar acclaim, my worry was that it would be served the same fate.
Thankfully my worries were for nothing, as Xu’s latest has now been released Stateside, allowing everyone to see if the buzz generated was true. Going on the quality of his previous works I didn’t have many doubts, it still makes me happy to say that all the positive reviews were more than worthy. There are some areas of the film that I could understand wouldn’t be for everyone, but for this martial arts movie fan, this is up there with the best of the year.
Partnering up with his brother Xu Junfeng, Xu Haofeng has created a martial arts film that is both traditional and modern in its storytelling. With its playfully ambiguous attention to character and plot, coupled with its beautifully choreographed fight scenes, 100 Yards further establishes Xu Haofeng as one of the most interesting directors working in action cinema today.
The movie’s title comes from the agreed-upon range of sanctuary that extends around every academy’s property. This theoretically means that there should be no fighting beyond 100 yards of Tianjin’s martial arts schools. Of course, these rules will be stretched as the plot develops.
The film opens with elderly martial arts master Shen (Guo Long) summoning his prized pupil Qi Quan (Andy On) in order to take part in a duel. Unbeknownst to the audience at the time, his opponent is Shen’s son Shen An (Jacky Heung). An is initially cocky during the fight but is bettered by Quan. It turns out that the victor of the fight is to be the head of Shen’s martial arts academy. With Quan’s appointment, a bitter rivalry begins between the two, kicking off a battle for supremacy to who will be the head of the academy.
That plot synopsis probably does the film a disservice, as there is so much going on here during the film’s eventful 108 minute runtime. Although you’re never waiting long until being treated to a fight scene, that isn’t all that holds the attention. Everything in 100 Yards seems deliberately staged. The actors’ performances during the dramatic scenes are as planned and precise as any of the fight choreography. Some may consider this as being a cold movie, as the characters act more reserved than they would in something like Once Upon a Time in China (1991) or Ip Man (2008). While 100 Yards may share some similarities with a film like Ip Man, it is more reserved and calculated. There are no points where characters fall into melodramatic displays of emotion.
During the film, you may even find it difficult to determine who is the hero and who is the villain. To be honest, it is arguable that neither is. Both the lead characters played by Jacky Heung and Andy On have hidden dimensions that come to the fore throughout the film’s runtime, with it being clear that neither of them are the persons they are perceived to be.
Heung’s An may seem initially cocky, but there’s a determination to his character, with his need to redeem himself in the martial arts world overcoming all else. Allusions to a love triangle between An, Quan and young school teacher Gui Ying (Tang Shiyi) give some added depth, even if they aren’t central to the main plot.
Considering how long he has been in the industry, it seems strange to say that this could be a career-making role for Jacky Heung. While he has done good work before, most notably in Johnnie To’s Chasing Dream (2019), a personal favorite of mine. As good as that film was, and him in it, 100 Yards manages to rise above this. Not only does it give him countless opportunities to show off his martial arts skills but further allows him to stretch his acting muscles.
It is somewhat ironic that Heung’s character in the film could be seen as a “Nepo” baby, with it assumed the martial arts academy will be handed down simply because his father is famous. Some have laid the same claim at Heung’s feet, with him being the son of famed Hong Kong actor and producer Charles Heung. Hong Kong movie fans will probably know his father best from his role as Chow Yun Fat’s bodyguard Lone Ng in God of Gamblers (1989) although I am quite fond of his performance in Arrest the Restless (1993). Inevitable comparisons to his father have followed Heung throughout his career. Hopefully 100 Yards and more films like it will allow him to move out from under his father’s shadow.
Andy On seems to excel at playing morally ambiguous characters. His recent actioners like The Comeback (2023) and Hunt the Wicked (2024) have found him working on the wrong side of the law while still making the audience somehow root for him. His role in 100 Yards is similar, in that you wouldn’t consider him the hero but he is still commanding in his part. Unlike those mentioned, 100 Yards isn’t made for streaming, with this being more highbrow than some of his recent releases. Not to knock his other action movies, but this film is a much classier affair that uses On to his full potential. A late in the day development of his character did somewhat irk me, but it is necessary for the plot to develop.
Like Heung, On gets ample opportunity to show off his martial arts ability, with each of his fight scenes being a standout. The fight choreography is of such a high quality it would be difficult to pinpoint which is the best. If I had to pick I would go with the lengthy finale. Whilst the majority of this focuses on Heung, when On finally gets involved he more than holds his own. It’s great to see On appearing in a higher profile role, one that should hopefully reach a wider audience.
Tang Shiyi gives solid support as Gui Ying, caught between the two in their battle for supremacy. Both her and On’s Quan share an interesting, flirtatious dynamic, with Quan believing Gui holds the secret to defeating An. Although she isn’t given the same amount of screen time, she does end up having one of the film’s most standout fight scenes, with her single-handedly taking out a team of martial artists led by On.
As great as the performances are, most action fans will be viewing 100 Yards for its fight scenes. As mentioned, they are plentiful, with the fights on show being grounded. There is no over the top wire assisted antics here, with the moves on display all being realistically integrated into the on screen action. Xu’s handling of the action also shows off a variety of styles with there being an awesome variety of weapons utilized during the fights, some of which were new to me.
The purpose of the fights are always clear, but this is no simple revenge tale. The combatants are never going out their way to kill each other. Even when fighting with deadly weapons, the fighters are there to prove who is best. For the most part, the weapons are covered so they do the least amount of damage. It is only when we near the finale that events become more violent.
The action is given a further helping hand in how it is shot. Xu favors long takes where the audience can clearly see the skills of the performers. The majestic camera work of cinematographer Dan Shao always seems to be in the perfect position to capture the action, as well as the beautifully realized sets.
An Wei’s musical score is used sparingly throughout the film, with Xu only using it when necessary. In the majority of the fight scenes, music doesn’t play a part, with the audience being left to hear every punch, kick and knife slash.
I can’t recommend 100 Yards enough. It more than lived up to my expectations. It not being a typical action movie may put some off, but I would urge any martial arts film fan to give it a chance. Even more than Xu’s The Final Master, 100 Yards is an almost perfect martial arts film that perfectly combines drama and action.
100 Yards was given a limited cinema run by the good people at Well Go USA, but for those who may have missed it can now watch it digitally. One of the best martial arts movies of the year, It is not to be missed.
Plot: 4/5
Acting: 4.5/5
Action: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.3/5