Based on the twelve volume series “Biao Ren” or “Blades of The Guardians” by Xianzhe Xu, the live action film succeed a twelve episode anime series from 2023. Since its publication the comic book has been a massive success with a large international fan base. So popular that it was inevitable that a live-action adaptation would be made. Released in the U.S in early March it is met with heavy expectations. There is tremendous pressure to get it right. Loaded with intense action, amazing choreographed fights and stunts, and great sound and editing the film is a wonderful achievement. To the delight of many the result is we have the first great film of 2026.

The film is directed by eighty year old Yuen Woo-Ping “Iron Monkey” “Red Wolf”. Yuen Woo Ping is also the most sought after and infamous fight and action choreographer in the business. With credits of action and stunt choreographer for the Matrix trilogy, the Kill Bill 1 & 2, as well as“Drunken Master” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. If this is his swan song to his filmography it is the perfect film to be it. There is no cheapness to it. Its signature is the feel of the stunts work and the toil to go with it. It also helps to bring Jet Li to add some pizzazz to the film as well. With Yuen at the helm he gives the film a boost that without him it would have fallen to a low-budget b-movie.  The film is about scale and scope with a large world building. It’s lush and full with the settings being a character as well. It’s epic but it also knows how to keep it intimate at the same time, and that comes with an experienced director. It’s flashy and splashes like the ink blots of the book and comes with an array of outrageous characters and exaggerated expressions. Each character is flushed out and masterfully crafted to emphasize for all of them. The film is high octane but slows occasionally to absorb the scenery. It’s a saga for saga’s sake and it’s terrific. 

We get every weather imaginable, we get betrayal, and we get the lone wolf and cub sojourn. We do get a back story that is taking place during the time of the late cruel Siu dynasty. A time of mercenaries, bounty hunters, bandits, and lords, and marauders. Its Outlaws forming their own laws.

It’s extremely rare to get a wide release of a film from China, but “Blades of The Guardians” is the exception, because this is an action film with heart and passion and good story. A rewatch is most deserving to catch all the details, and most notably it’s a film that most certainly the audience and fans will demand a sequel to and there are absolutely right to do so. 9/10