“Jade Warrior” International Theatrical Poster

Director: Antti-Jussi Annila
Cast: Tommi Eronen, Zhang Jingchu, Krista Kosonen, Markku Peltola, Hao Dang, Taishen Cheng, Elle Kull, Liansheng Tong, Qiupu Tao, Xiaomei Tong
Running Time: 110 min.

By JJ Hatfield

When most people think about martial arts they think of China, Japan, and places like Thailand.  Don’t leave out other countries or regions though. If martial arts are practiced in most countries we know of why wouldn’t every place have such a discipline? Naturally the geography, climate and culture shape the degree and the type of teaching.  The tale of the “Jade Warrior” is relevant to any one, any where.

From Finland comes the story of the creation of earth, and the awesome struggle of good and evil that rages in all times. Ancient lives and loves leading to a fate that seemingly cannot be changed.

This movie is often advertised as “Finland’s First Martial Arts Film!” If you are looking for some fairly mindless kick ass this is not the right disk.  I’m sure someone thought they could get more people to buy the DVD if they thought heads would be busted and ass was well kicked.   And this is a very good film. But do not look for stunts and triple kicks. If you let that expectation go you will find a very engaging film.

This film is a fantasy/folklore/drama, born of the epic poem “Kalevala”. One of the main characters in “Kalevala” is a heroic smith (blacksmith) named Seppo who creates a machine called the Sampo. Finland’s folklore says the Sampo has the ability to be the source of happiness. In a rare blending of countries and culture Finnish and Chinese mythology are woven together beautifully like a fine tapestry.

Kai (Tommi Eronen) is the modern day smith living alone in the country after his girlfriend left him.  Ronja (Krist Kosonem) is moving away from Helsinki despite his ardent pleas for her to stay. Before Ronja leaves she takes in sone of Kai’s old belongings  to an antique dealer.  This seemingly mundane event unleashes a world from ancient times and immerses her boyfriend into a past life thousands of years ago in China.

Unknown to Ronja the antique dealers Berg (Makku Peltola) and Weckstrom (Elle Kull) happen to be experts on the Kalevala. When they discover something clutched by a mummified man in a swamp  it turns out to respond to Kai’s belongings. This realization sends Berg out to find the ninth son of the legend, returned as Kai though he does not yet know it. Berg takes the object to Kai, explaining the folklore, and encouraging him to accept his past. This acts like a spark from the forge to flame the ancient battle between good and evil. It also begins to merge the warrior and the smith into one again. The link grows stronger between the ninth son, Sentai and Kai reviving memories of a woman, Pin Yu (Zhang Jing-Chu) whom he loved deeply. The warrior dared to  evade his destiny by wishing for happiness with his love in the future, in the icy isolated far north.

“Jade Warrior” is set in two different times and places that begin to merge – ancient China and modern day (released 2006) Finland.  Driven by his past, subtly at first then growing stronger until Kai is existing in both worlds determined to change his fate to be with the woman he loves.  It is not so simple to change one’s destiny and the forces involved can create or destroy.

This is a fresh entertaining film! The basic idea comes from an epic poem and translated well to the screen. The Finnish actors, especially Tommy Eronen who has the dual role and Makku Peltola were exceptional and very believable even in a fantasy plot.

The director and writer Anitti-Jussi Annila loved the wuxia and sword fight films of China.

So much so in fact that he wrote the script as an homage to those Chinese films he adored. There is an element of wuxia to be sure however this is not CTHD.

The cinematography is superb and striking. The landscape is at times stark and frozen, then green with life, another cyclic theme throughout the film. These scenes are from Finland and Estonia. The ancient Chinese village felt authentic as did the forge details.

The actors, primarily Tommi Eronen spent months in preparation for the action scenes and studying Mandarin which would be required for the dialog scenes set in ancient China.

Zhang Jing-Chu (Seven Swords) also trained for her fight. Yu Yan Kai is the action choreographer who has worked with Sammo Hung and Cory Yuen when in his native China.  There are not a lot of fights but there is one very beautiful kungfu/wuxia type exchange and swordplay. Modern day/Kai weapons include a sledge hammer and a lot of special effects, which are good to great.

I highly recommend this fine film!  It is a very interesting premise and affords the viewer a chance to experience something new and different. A worthy entry in anyone’s collection.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 7/10