Flame of Recca: Final Burning
Plot
In the town of Dobasha, Recca Hanabishi is known for his exceptional speed and agility, earned through intense ninja training. What sets Recca apart from others, however, is his possession of a 'kyoudai no toki,' or a miraculous, flame-like energy that can amplify his physical prowess and allow him to access the Realm of the Sora, a vast spiritual domain. With his fiery abilities, Recca is determined to make the Sora Realm a place for humans to live in harmony with the gods and other supernatural entities. Recca shares his ideas about building a utopian society with his childhood friends Yanagi, Domoko, and Mikan. In this vision, humans will live together with supernatural beings in the Realm of the Sora, where the cycle of reincarnation and rebirth holds sway. This perfect world is seen as an achievable goal, thanks to humans harnessing their inner spiritual power, or 'ki.' As fate would have it, Recca soon finds himself at odds with his long-time nemesis, Nanpo, leader of the Togen Ryuu ninja clan. Nanpo, enraged by Recca's dream of cooperation between humans and Sora Realm inhabitants, refuses to believe that humans can actually coexist peacefully with supernatural beings. According to Nanpo, it is natural for humans to dominate and reign supreme over the Realm of the Sora. A final battle is set between Recca and Nanpo. The two engage in a spectacular clash, with brilliant ninjutsu skills and supernatural abilities being showcased by both antagonists. Despite initial setbacks and injuries for Recca, he rises above his current state of vulnerability, drawing energy from his allies, his bond with Mikan, and his unyielding determination to protect the innocent people of Dobasha. Through sacrifice and perseverance, Recca emerges victorious, ending the reign of terror brought about by Nanpo. Upon Recca's apparent victory, both Recca and his childhood friends are visited by mysterious visions of the future. The visions, imparted through strange dream interludes throughout the movie, provide insight into events to come in both the world of the Sora and the world of humans. It seems that, in time, the boundaries between these realms will become increasingly blurred as human, supernatural, and demonic entities find themselves face-to-face in unpredictable encounters. A realization, also hammered home through the episodic flashbacks, is the harsh fact that these individuals from different spheres have, in earlier episodes, shared friendships that eventually broke down in the face of looming world catastrophe. With flashbacks revealing deep emotional connections, most notably romantic ties that crumbled as the chaos deepened, tensions fuel between all surviving protagonists. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of worsening turmoil, the visions shared between Recca, Mikan, and others reveal further consequences of their individual journeys. It is here when these deep-seated secrets, shared fears, and old friendships rise to the surface. One of these old friends and a close companion is Kagero, the compassionate telekinetic woman caught in the turbulent, world-rending conflict between humans, Sora Realm inhabitants, and malicious beings known as the Tensei. Like many others in the unfolding story, Kagero yearned to protect humanity from the unfolding threat, while Kagero's love for Recca runs deeper than friendship. This underlying chemistry serves to forge their devotion towards one another, echoing Kagero's words, as she wholeheartedly encourages her beloved Recca to remember their love and grow stronger to safeguard his Sora-spirited loved one, who shares him her soul's heart, her spirit, with the rest of Sora spirits. Their ongoing predicament slowly bears down on its climax, as once powerful humans increasingly lose control, and evil forces of darkness swiftly gather momentum, upsetting the delicate balance that initially prevailed. Seemingly helpless against these malevolent forces, the movie suggests final days for both human and Sora Realm as more individuals succumb to overwhelming calamity. Nonetheless, even as chaos takes over, deeper revelations of the characters' bonds continue to propel their actions forward, moving hearts to create hope against unimaginable odds. All the allies face one goal: safeguard their final promise of peace to never be destroyed by demons while guiding others to follow their heart's desire with all their heart and will power.
Reviews
Isaac
1. "The masters' sparring is truly amazing, though it's a bit rough on the furniture." 2. "It's ironic to see a traditional martial arts master getting a beating from the American military." 3. "The lives of ordinary Chinese citizens are portrayed with that familiar Hong Kong flavor. Kent Cheng's portrayal of the police officer feels like a friendly neighbor. The hardship of Ip Man raising his child alone after his wife's passing is full of humanity." 4. "It would have been even better if Bruce Lee had fought in the final battle, but this is Ip Man's movie, after all." 5. "I'm not sure how to feel about Vanness Wu's portrayal of the Chinese-American officer. Is it a display of ethnic pride, or a naturalized citizen's eagerness to fit in?" 6. "Wu Yue essentially plays the same role as Sammo Hung in the second film. However, even in defeat, Sammo Hung..."
Chloe
This movie is a non-stop thrill ride! Way more intense than the previous three, it's packed with non-stop action. It ignites right from the start and keeps the high-octane excitement going. When Bruce Lee suddenly appeared amidst a cyberpunk color palette, it was a visual feast! And when he confessed his cancer diagnosis towards the end, it really hit me hard. But the emotional moments were perfectly timed – not dragging at all, just adding depth. Overall, this film is incredibly satisfying. Thank you, martial arts master.
Bella
Treasure it, as fewer and fewer people will be making Kung Fu movies in the future. Although the plot is somewhat similar to the second movie, it's still good, with Bruce Lee's action scenes being a plus.
Emersyn
Straightforward action with a chaotic flurry of punches and kicks – the fight choreography is undeniably entertaining. You have to separate it from the historical context a bit, as Ip Man seems a tad too old for the events depicted. Also, watching this film leaves you with the disheartening impression that, aside from Ip Man, the entire Chinese martial arts world is filled with incompetents.
Ryan
Let's just stop here; it's nothing more than forced sentimentality. It's essentially a carbon copy of Ip Man 2, with a粗放 plot and a forced ending that just can't keep going. A fight resolves everything, a common flaw in Hong Kong cinema. Once again, personal strength is elevated to a class level, but the viewpoint is fragmented. On the one hand, martial arts are meant to be performed alongside cheerleaders, and on the other hand, they must represent the nation in determining victory or defeat. Isn't this ridiculous? It feels like the director is engaging in some advanced trolling. The action sequences remain the biggest highlight, with Wilson Yip's ability to stir the audience's emotions being more than enough, making several confrontations exciting and providing a decent viewing experience. PS, the Bruce Lee character is a cameo, but it's misplaced in terms of the story. According to the plot...
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