The Bare Footed Kid

Brilliant kung-fu scenes, loads of melodrama, peculiar footwear symbolism and an unhappy (?) end makes Barefoot Kid an unforgettable film.

One of the silliest subtitles I've seen...

I wonder why so many people mention only Chow Yun-fat among the actors in [A Better Tomorrow] in talking about the film. I love him, too, but the focus of ABT is Sung Tse-ho played wonderfully by Ti Lung. ABT was my first Ti Lung experience, and since then I wish I had a chance to see the martial art films of 70's in which he had starred. I haven't had such a luck yet, but I found [Barefooted Kid] a good treat. Though Lung plays a supporting role, you can fully taste of his noble warrior appeal in this. Great. And Maggie Cheung is even greater. She portrays a warm-hearted (treats the barefooted kid very kindly), beautiful (yes, Maggie is beautiful), brave (neither surrenders to the greedy local strong man, nor fears loving Lung's character being a widow in those old days), and wise (disperses a bunch of beggars troubling a bride, by scattering the coins) character brilliantly.

Lung and Maggie work beautifully together in the most impressive scenes -- meeting up on a full moon night, collecting the stone dust in rain, walking on a street in the rainy evening. Above all, it's a love story (for me, at least). Aaron Kwok and Wu Chien-lien form a charming couple also. And it is nice surprise to see Kenneth Tsang (who played Danny Lee's sidekick cop in [The Killer] and the taxi company owner in ABT) play a pure villain. Plus, it has good action sequences -- nothing new, but neat, enjoyable movie.

This remindes me of the Shaw Brothers classics or generally the movies from the 80s. There's a lot of characters a lot of deception, a lot of development ... and a lot of fighting too. Some may seem ridiculous but overall this is just good fun, if you let it to be that is.

I'm surprised by the level of violence or rather the display of blood we see. While there is lightness and fun, there also always consequences. You might find that weird and you may not enjoy that balance act, but overall I would argue it works. And having someone like Johnnie To at the helm helps a lot. He may have turned his back on these Martial Arts movies and gone for movies set in recent times but you can see he knew what he was doing in this one too. Characters may seem to have issues with decision finding (or finding their moral compass/radar) but how would it work otherwise ... also really melodramatic .. but that doesn't have to be a bad thing ...

Johnnie To's remake of the Shaw Brothers 1975 hit, The Invincible One (aka Disciples Of Shaolin), is indeed a classic of the Hong Kong New Wave era. With a great performance from all its main cast, a memorable score by William Hu Wei Li, gorgeous cinematography by Horace Wong, and fantastic fight choreography courtesy of the late, great Lau Kar Leung - who incidentally was the action director on Chang Cheh's original film. A modern take on a classic story of redemption and doomed love, wrapped up in a coming-of-age tale that, unfortunately, doesn't have the happiest of endings...

When I had this on VHS from the brilliant Made In Hong Kong label, I wore out the video tape in no time at all. I loved it then, and still love it as much now. Produced by Mona Fong and the Shaw Brothers studio, The Bare-Footed Kid may offer nothing new as such to long-time fans of kung-fu films, but it still feels as fresh and looks just as amazing today as it did all those years ago!

Aaron Kwok is just gorgeous and wonderfully cute in this as the titular character, naïve and innocent to the world around him, abused by many and easily led astray. This is one of my favourite Kwok movies, and think he is just wonderful in everything from the drama and comedy, to the awesome kung-fu action scenes. Kwok is supported by the amazing Hong Kong film legend that is Ti Lung, a man with a secret past who now works for the equally impressive Maggie Cheung, both of who are also lovers, As the boss of the bye factory, Maggie runs a fair but tight ship producing top-quality fabrics, helping the needy, and making great business which angers her competitor, played by the great Kenneth Tsang.

Tsang is as wonderfully wicked as always as the boss of the Dragon Spinners; the gangster dye factory causing all the trouble. After a great martial-arts tournament, Tsang tricks Kwok into working for him with a new pair of shoes, and a promise of big money. Of course, Aaron doesn't have a clue of his new masters plans in putting his new friends...

As mentioned, the film is shot beautifully with thanks to cinematographer Horace Wong who has shot everything from Twin Dragons to The Myth, King Of Comedy, and pretty much, every major John Woo hit. His mix of handheld shots and epic sweeps are aided by some wonderful lighting, making almost every frame of The Bare-Footed Kid, just gorgeous to look at. The incredible night scene with Ti Lung and Maggie Cheung going out on a date in the pouring rain, is one such scene - and one of many.

The legendary Lau Kar Leung provides some crisp and powerful kung-fu fights, a lot of which is aided by wires, although not in a distracting way. The only let-down for me in this film was a couple of moments of over-cranking during action. It didn't need it, and while noticeable, did not ruin the action on-screen at the time as it was brief. Regardless, both Kwok and Ti Lung get to kick ass a number of times, and both look amazing doing it. Ti Lung's tea-house battle and fight for survival is a highlight, as is the epic finale with Kwok taking on everyone. Just brilliant!

Wu Chien Lien, who had starred with Aaron in A Moment Of Romance 2 that same year, starts off as a pretty unlikeable girl but soon turns things around, taking a fancy to Aaron and becoming closer after the murder of her father, of which Kwok was a part off unknowingly...

Fans of Sammo Hung's Blade Of Fury and Jet Li's Fong Sai Yuk movies will love The Bare-Footed Kid. With stunning fight sequences, romance, emotion and melodrama, you can't help but fall for it!

Overall: Beautifully directed, funny, charming and action-packed, The Bare-Footed Kid is a modern classic and highly recommended!

Aaron Kwok is great as the Barefooted Kid. He is a great martial artist, but doesn't know the rules of life. This he will learn from his uncle and a very kind woman who gives him shelter. This uncle is played by Ti Lung, who is even a greater martial artist and has some great scenes where he shows his talents. The story is very melodramatic, which doesn't have to be annoying. I personally like melodrama at some occassions. But if you don't like melodrama you can skip to the action sequences because that is why this movie is made in the first place. The action sequences are divine to watch. They are far superior to the scenes shown in the Matrix. Which prooves, that digital effects are not needed to create explosive wireworks! If there is one typical HK martial arts movie you have to watch then it's this one.