The premise of The New Legend of Shaolin is deceptively simple yet emotionally devastating. Jet Li stars as Hung Hei-kwun (often spelled Hong Xiguan), a real-life folk hero of the Hung Gar style of Kung Fu.
The story begins in tragedy. The villainous Lord Ma Ning-er (played with scenery-chewing brilliance by Chin Kar-lok) is a eunuch with a god complex. He massacres the entire Hung family, leaving Hung Hei-kwun as the sole survivor. However, the villain fails to kill Hung’s infant son. Now a fugitive, Hung must protect his child while seeking revenge against Ma’s army. Jet Li Movies The New Legend Of Shaolin
What sets this Jet Li movie apart is the "buddy dynamic" between father and son. The child actor, Tse Miu (who later grew up to be actor Nicholas Tse), plays "Deer" (or "Sok"), a kid who is a pickpocket and a brat. For the first half of the film, the kid does not even realize Jet Li is his father. Their relationship is rocky, comedic, and eventually heartbreaking. The premise of The New Legend of Shaolin
The plot thickens when they hide out in the Shaolin Temple. The monks, including a hilarious cameo by director Wong Jing, train the boy while the father struggles with his rage. The climax features a literal "Red Pole" (the legendary staff of Shaolin) and a final duel that defies the laws of physics. The villainous Lord Ma Ning-er (played with scenery-chewing
Jet Li is known for stoic heroes, but here, he cries, rages, and suffers. The moment he discovers his wife’s corpse? Devastating. His relationship with his real-life struggles translates into a desperate father—not just a superhuman fighter.
Like Rocky or The Karate Kid, this film features a grueling training sequence. Jet Li teaches his son Shaolin kung fu using modified chores: dipping pots in a river, balancing on bamboo poles, and catching eels. It is funny, heartwarming, and culminates in a brutal fight where the boy finally holds his own.