REVIEW: ‘Blades of the Guardians’ Is An Epic New Wuxia Entry

Blades of the Guardians, inspired by Xianzhe Xu’s renowned Chinese historical fantasy manhua, gets a live-action adaptation directed by the legendary fight choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Fearless). The film is written by Chao-Bin Su, Tai-Lee Chan, and Baimei Yu, and is produced by both Jet Li and Jing Wu. 

In addition to serving as the film’s producer, Jing Wu also portrays the main character Dao Ma. The film’s supporting cast is rounded out by Lijun Chen as Ayuya, Nicolas Tse as Di Ting, and Jet Li as Chang Guiren.

Blades of the Guardians takes place during the late Sui Dynasty and follows the bounty hunter Dao Ma. Dao Ma’s trusted benefactor hires him for what appears to be a simple escort job, but it soon turns into a dangerous journey. Now he is tasked with escorting Zhi Shi Lang, the mysterious, most wanted fugitive in the land, to the imperial capital of Chang’an, a place that haunts Dao Ma’s past. 

Yuen Woo-ping and Jet Li promise thrilling action for this wuxia epic.

Blades of the Guardians is a visually stunning cinematic experience, with expansive desert backgrounds and wardrobe designs; every detail helps immerse audiences in the film’s intriguing world. The fight choreography and martial arts in Blades of the Guardians do not disappoint.

This is unsurprising considering the involvement of director Yuen Woo-ping and Jet Li. Both are renowned for bringing integrity, passion, and high quality to the wuxia genre. The film’s fight and action sequences excel when it leans into the mythical physical feats of its characters, with striking, fluid martial artistry. 

Blades of the Guardians is a strong entry for newcomers to wuxia, but it also has great appeal for longtime fans. For those not familiar with wuxia, it is not just a martial arts genre. The concept of Wuxia is also a philosophical approach to storytelling that emphasizes themes such as honor, loyalty, and justice. This film explores those elements not only through the protagonist, Dao Ma, but also through the supporting cast. The film highlights that wuxia combat is not just about action and spectacle; it is also a means of communicating a character’s moral code and intent.

Stars Jing Wu and Lijun Chen deliver impressive, emotional performances.

Jing Wu, as the film’s leading man, delivers a strong, impressive performance as Dao Ma, providing a solid foundation for his castmates to play off of. Jing Wu’s performance not only captures the famed swordman’s strong, tough exterior but also flawlessly conveys the character’s emotional depth. Another notable performance comes from Lijun Chen as Ayuya. Lijun Chen’s most emotionally driven scene work is raw and captivating. In contrast, Jet Li’s brief performance is impeccable, helping set the film’s tone and expectations for the rest of the film. 

The film’s primary plot of Dao Ma escorting the mysterious Zhi Shi Lang is intriguing on its own. However, the secondary underlying political story and its secret connection to Dao Ma’s past are equally compelling and entertaining. Blades of the Guardians understands how to evolve and peel back the layers of the story, revealing plot twists right up until the very end, which again help elevate the story from just an action-packed adventure to an in-depth historical fantasy drama. 

Blades of the Guardians’ conclusion suggests that a sequel could be in the works, as it indicates that Dao Ma’s adventure is not over yet. The ending may also leave some viewers eager to read or watch Xianzhe Xu’s original work to learn more about the world of Blades of the Guardians. Although prior knowledge of the source material is not necessary to enjoy the film, it might have provided some insight into certain characters that felt underdeveloped in the adaptation. 

The adaptation of the Xianzhe Xu’s manhua falters with some underdeveloped characters.

A prime example of this underdevelopment is the mysterious masked character Zhi Shi Lang. The film first describes the character as a rebellious scholar who has captured the hearts of the commoners and stands in opposition to the emperor. However, when we finally meet Zhi Shi Lang, he comes across as eccentric and at times spoiled or bumbling, which makes it difficult to understand why he is so inspiring and garners so much respect. The character’s charisma and leadership, which are supposed to be central to the political plot’s tension, fall a little flat and feel unwarranted.  

Granted, without any prior knowledge of the character from Xianzhe Xu’s original work, it is difficult to discern if this was an intentional choice that was genuine to the source material. Or, instead, if the adaptation just didn’t have time to develop Zhi Shi Lang’s character fully. It will be interesting to see if a sequel dedicates more time to fleshing out the character and his role in the overall political plot. 

Blades of the Guardians is a multigenerational collaborative work that brings together actors, directors, and martial artists of different generations. The film works as both a celebration of wuxia filmmaking and revitalization. Yuen Woo-ping, Jet Li, and Jing Wu’s partnership in this live-action adaptation brings an exciting new wuxia epic that honors the genre’s legacy and the art of martial arts filmmaking.

Blades of the Guardians honors what makes wuxia such a lasting narrative tool.

Yuen Woo-ping’s work over the years has been instrumental in bringing Chinese wuxia films and storytelling to audiences worldwide. This film is not only a thrilling martial arts adventure but also a continuation of the traditions that icons like Yuen and Jet Li have helped popularize, and a reminder of why wuxia is such a powerful narrative tool.  

The film’s post-credit scene offers a subtle yet beautiful nod to the multigenerational collaboration, as if passing a baton or torch to the next generation of martial arts filmmakers. In the film, a group of older bounty hunters comments on leaving the work to the next generation, as it is their turn now. The scene is short, but its weight is meaningful, offering a positive note for the next generation of martial artists and filmmakers. 

Blades of the Guardians is a visually stunning and exciting new wuxia epic sure to appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike. The thrilling action sequences, strong performances, masterful fight choreography, and high emotional stakes make for an entertaining watch from start to finish. Although Blades of the Guardians is not without flaws, particularly in its underdeveloped characters, the film lays a strong foundation for a sequel.  The film serves as an accessible entry not only into the wuxia genre but also into the source material for anyone eager to see Doa Ma and his comrades’ adventures continue. 

Blades of the Guardians is out now in limited theaters.