The multi-award-winning martial arts star Donnie Yen has appeared in some of the greatest martial arts movies of all time, and, after his iconic performance in John Wick: Chapter 4, he is busier than ever. Donnie Yen has five upcoming action movies, but he has also returned to the director's chair after a 19-year break. In 2023, Yen both directed and starred in the martial arts movie, Sakra. Sakra is about a martial arts expert, Qiao Feng, played by Yen, who is accused of the murder of his adoptive parents and goes on the run while trying to clear his name.
Many of Yen's best movies have become instant successes and martial arts classics, like Hero with its 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating. However, Sakra was less well-received than many of Yen's other movies, earning a 67% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating. Critics found the storyline overstuffed and a little confusing, but it appears that Sakra is finding more appreciation lately and may even become a hit in time. Audience reviews were more positive, including in Southeast Asia and Mainland China. As Yen's movie shares many elements with classic martial arts movies, Sakra will likely become one of them.
Why Donnie Yen's Sakra Is Destined To Become A Future Classic Of The Martial Arts Genre
Sakra Is Donnie Yen At His Best And Hits All The Notes Of An Action Classic
The best martial arts movies are defined by their stunning fight choreography and make even the bloodiest fights look beautiful. Donnie Yen's best fight scenes often pit him against multiple opponents at once, and Sakra sees him at his outnumbered best. Sakra was nominated for Best Action Choreography at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The movie has an accomplished martial arts movie cast in addition to Yen, excellent choreography, and it fits in the very popular Chinese storytelling genre, "wuxia," giving Sakra the hallmarks of a future martial arts classic.
Sakra | 67% | 71% |
Sakra is a typical wuxia genre story, and the word translates as "martial arts and chivalry." Fights in wuxia movies usually have a fantasy element, like the iconic fights in the wuxia classic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with characters flying through the air, or shooting lightning bolts out of their hands. Yen's character in Sakra is a typical wuxia archetype, and the fights are a mix of the outlandish wuxia style, combined with some brutal moments. Sakra appears to be a solid wuxia story, so Yen may have been surprised when its reviews were not outstanding.
Why Sakra Reviews Were Good, Not Great, Upon Release In 2023
Sakra Left The Possibility Open For A Sequel, Also Starring Donnie Yen
Sakra had the potential to be a martial arts classic, with Yen giving a strong performance and excellent fight scenes. Reviewers praised these aspects of the movie, but one possible reason for its middling overall reviews is the source material. Sakra is based on the wuxia novel, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, by Jin Yong, which features several separate but intertwining storylines. The "overstuffed" plot is likely the result of the attempt to adapt such a complex story into one movie. A better approach might have been to adapt smaller parts of Qiao's story, which Yen might still do.
3:13
Related
10 Movies Where Donnie Yen Fought Another Action Icon
Donnie Yen has a long history starring in films alongside other action icons, from martial arts movie stars to Hollywood regulars to real athletes.
Sakra contains two post-credits scenes that suggest that Yen has not finished telling Qiao's story yet. In a mid-credits scene, the antagonist is revived by his father, and it is implied that he will live to fight another day. Another mid-credits scene reveals a potential new antagonist for future Qiao movies. Sakra was one of the most streamed movies in mainland China in 2023, so it may get at least one sequel. If Donnie Yen goes on to adapt smaller pieces of Qiao's story, the underrated Sakra could still become a martial arts classic.
Donnie Yen
Discover the latest news and filmography for Donnie Yen, known for Ip Man and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
English (US) ·