The Storm Riders (Fung wan: Hung ba tin ha) (2000)

66% of users liked it
(6,505 ratings)

Cinematographer Andrew Lau directed this Hong Kong martial arts fantasy from a Manfred Wong screenplay. Wong based his script on a Chau Ting screenplay adapted from the long-running manga by Ma Wing-shing. Martial arts ruler Lord Conqueror (Sonny Chiba) adopts two youngsters as disciples, and a… More Cinematographer Andrew Lau directed this Hong Kong martial arts fantasy from a Manfred Wong screenplay. Wong based his script on a Chau Ting screenplay adapted from the long-running manga by Ma Wing-shing. Martial arts ruler Lord Conqueror (Sonny Chiba) adopts two youngsters as disciples, and a decade later, the two -- Wind (Ekin Cheng) and Cloud (Aaron Kwok) -- are rivals for the affections of the Lord Conqueror's daughter Charity (Kristy Yang). When they duel, Charity is accidentally killed, and Cloud loses an arm. Muse (Shu Qi) takes care of Cloud, and her father gives Cloud his own arm for future fights. Wind seeks some magical stones, needed to help him in his duel with the Sword Saint (Anthony Wong). Filming began May 1997 in China's Sichuan province with CGI effects added by Hong Kong's post-production house Centro, co-producers of the film. This manga has been serialized since 1989, but only the first third has been adapted here. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Wai-keung Lau
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Sep 26, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Dec 11, 2001
Studio: The Asylum

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

This is a pretty wild film and at times it just stalls and goes no where, early asian special effects throughout. The fierce clan leader Lord Conquer determines to defeat the land?s most skilled fighter Sword Saint. The Mud Buddha prophesies that the fight will not take place for ten… More
This is a pretty wild film and at times it just stalls and goes no where, early asian special effects throughout. The fierce clan leader Lord Conquer determines to defeat the land?s most skilled fighter Sword Saint. The Mud Buddha prophesies that the fight will not take place for ten years. Lord Conquer sets about obtaining the ten swords of great power. According to the prophecy, adopts the sons Cloud and Wind of two of the slain sword-holders and raises them as his heirs. Cloud falls in love with Conquer?s daughter Charity but when Conquer announces her betrothal to Wind, Cloud steals her away. And when she is accidentally killed by Conquer as Cloud and Wind fight over her, Cloud swears vengeance on his adopted father. Its a long one. I can only give it 3 stars
Tsubaki S

Bad, the type of movies that killed the HK industry in the late 90s. And now they're making a sequel, damn. This is in many ways the bastard child of many of those shaw bros wuxia/fantasy combos. As dated as some of those movies are, you could always count on seeing someone liek… More
Bad, the type of movies that killed the HK industry in the late 90s. And now they're making a sequel, damn. This is in many ways the bastard child of many of those shaw bros wuxia/fantasy combos. As dated as some of those movies are, you could always count on seeing someone liek Ti Lung or Lo Lieh bring something to the whole thing. Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng on the other hand? Just pretty boys with zero charisma or any acting skill whatsoever.
EightThirty .

YEAH!!!! Way better than Dragonball Evolution!!! ^_^
Justin Y

Wai-keung Lau takes a comic known as Fung Wan and creates a more than decent movie adaptation out of it. This is The Storm Riders.The plot for this movie has its highs and its lows, but as a whole it fits into the action/fantasy genre… More
Wai-keung Lau takes a comic known as Fung Wan and creates a more than decent movie adaptation out of it. This is The Storm Riders.The plot for this movie has its highs and its lows, but as a whole it fits into the action/fantasy genre nicely. The very beginning of this film is a little sloppy and it is a little difficult to get the story straight, but it isn't long before everything starts to make sense. Unfortunately, about half of the way though, the plot sort of disappears and out comes this little love triangle sub story. During this period it is tough to pick out who to route for or even decide who the true villain is. Eventually, everything comes together for the ending and it pretty much redeems itself.The pace is fairly rapid even though the run time somehow ends up past 2 hours, which is a bit long. The film never drags on any one scene or setting too long and that helps to keep things fresh. It's just too bad that this applies to the fights. There are multiple action sequences, but they are all just too short. If you combine this with the 2+ hour run time, it feels like there isn't much of it at all.There is a ton of CG throughout this picture and it isn't surprising considering this comes from a comic. It isn't that great looking, especially in the beginning, but as the movie progresses, it becomes more effective and tolerable.As far as the acting goes, Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng pull off their roles of Cloud and Wind respectively. Sonny Chiba puts on quite a performance as Lord Conqueror and Kristy Yang is nothing more than a pretty face. Shu Qi, who doesn't even show up until the hour mark, is one of the over actors. This isn't a bad thing, since her overacting isn't annoying, but rather it comes across as some comic relief, which this films needs.The Storm Riders does have its flaws and it definitely isn't the greatest film of this genre, but it isn't a waste of time if you're in the mood for a action/fantasy flick.
Dean M

Incredible Hong Kong fantasy-action movie with state-of-the-art digital effects. Director Andrew Lau unleashes a colourful hyper-kinetic fantasy that stands blue-haired head and shoulders above Hollywood's attempts in the genre. The story is adapted from a best-selling comic… More
Incredible Hong Kong fantasy-action movie with state-of-the-art digital effects. Director Andrew Lau unleashes a colourful hyper-kinetic fantasy that stands blue-haired head and shoulders above Hollywood's attempts in the genre. The story is adapted from a best-selling comic book.
xGary X

Based on a comic book, this is yet another story of an evil martial artist who want to take over the"world of martial arts" by following a prophecy and collecting a bunch of swords with ridiculous names. I watched Seven Swords recently and found it disappointing and lame,… More
Based on a comic book, this is yet another story of an evil martial artist who want to take over the"world of martial arts" by following a prophecy and collecting a bunch of swords with ridiculous names. I watched Seven Swords recently and found it disappointing and lame, but compared to this, it's King Lear. Everything about this film is so unbelievably naive it almost beggars belief; the plot is like something out of a bad videogame. So are the effects for that matter! It's just a bunch of terrible actors flying around on wires in front of probably the worst CGI I have ever seen in a movie. The title sequence looks like something out of the intro screen to a Playstation one game! All the characters are ridiculous stereotypes, especially Sonny Chiba's cackling villain who is straight out of an end of the pier pantomime. The sets are awful, the plot an endless stream of melodramatic cliches and rarely rises above the standard of a children's cartoon, and the tacky, amateurish direction means even the action is a total mess. I'm a big fan of samurai films, but this is easily the worst example I've ever seen. Absolutely dismal.
Curt C

The whole experience felt like a videogame (apparently based on a Chinese comic book, I later found out). Everything about this screamed "bad movie", yet I have to admit I was thoroughly entertained. Tremendously fun to watch.