Who is Yuen Woo-Ping?

For people familiar with martial arts movies or Cantonese cinema, the name “Yuen Woo-Ping” is a familiar one. Whether it’s launching Jackie Chan’s career as a viable film star in movies like Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow or directing martial arts classics like the original Drunken Master, Yuen’s storied career has not only earned him a star on Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars but a permanent seat in the pantheon of great Hong Kong action movie directors. Even if you’re not a martial arts movie fan, there’s a high chance that you’re familiar with his work.

Did you enjoy the gravity-defying fights in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? That’s a Yuen creation.

The fight between Uma Thurman and the Crazy 88 in Kill Bill? That’s a Yuen creation.

Those crazy fight scenes in The Matrix that everybody raves about? That’s a Yuen creation too.

You see, in 1994, Yuen Woo-Ping directed a movie called Fist of Legend. Aside from being one of the greatest Jet Li movies ever, Fist of Legend caught the eyes of the Wachowski siblings. Seeing Yuen’s work in Fist of Legend, the siblings shipped Yuen overseas to the United States to choreograph the fisticuffs for The Matrix.

It’s true! Just fast forward to the 13:19 mark of the video below.

But even while Yuen’s work is widely celebrated, there’s a part of me that feels like some of his earlier work is not talked about as much, and that’s where Dreadnaught comes in.

What is Dreadnaught?

Dreadnaught tells the story of a cowardly clothes washer (played by Hong Kong film legend Yuen Biao) who must muster his courage and his clothes drying skills to defeat a violent murderer wearing Peking Opera makeup. Bonkers premise aside, the film is messily paced, the production design is uninspired, and let’s just say that its screenplay was probably not going to win it any awards.

So why should you watch it?

Why should I watch it?

To see why Dreadnaught is special, you would have to compare it with other martial arts movies. Whereas most martial arts movies give you a few fights sandwiched between tedious scenes of exposition, every minute of Dreadnaught is charged with movement. With every punch, kick, shove or step the story is moved from one beat to another like a Rube Goldberg machine. In fact, one of the best scenes in Dreadnaught is not a fight scene but rather a moment where the main character yells at a mirror. Not just because it’s funny, but because it leads to an even funnier slapstick sequence where the main character gets kicked out of his house by his sister.

But as it is a martial arts movie, Dreadnaught should be lauded for its fights scenes. While Yuen Woo-Ping is known as a great choreographer, his fights are only as good as his performers. In Dreadnaught, Yuen is lucky enough to be working with a milieu of seasoned veterans. With all of the action being shot in long takes and wide angles, nothing is hidden from the viewer. That final fight scene is also an all-timer. I don’t want to spoil it, but just know that it involves killer sleeves…and that you’ll leave the movie thinking that friction burns can kill.

Yes, I’m not kidding. Killer sleeves.

So if you have 90 minutes to kill, watch Dreadnaught. It has some of the greatest action choreography ever put to screen, and most importantly—is never boring. If anything, the last fight scene is worth the price for admission.

Where can I watch Dreadnaught?

If you have Amazon Prime, the movie should be available for premium streaming.