"Blades of the Guardians" reignites enthusiasm for martial arts films in North America

American filmgoers are responding enthusiastically to China's martial arts epic, "Blades of the Guardians," signaling renewed interest in the genre, also known as "wuxia", across North America.

Released on Feb 17 during the Chinese New Year holiday period, the film has performed strongly at the Chinese mainland box office in its opening week. The holiday release, adapted from the cult-favorite comic book Biao Ren, has also opened in select theaters across North America through distributor Well Go USA Entertainment.

Directed by renowned action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, the film features a multigenerational cast of martial arts stars, including Jet Li and Wu Jing. The story centers on a perilous escort mission to deliver the "most wanted fugitive" to Chang'an, the capital of ancient Chinese dynasties.

The film has earned strong critical acclaim, with a high approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, and audience reactions have been equally positive, with the film earning a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes' audience-generated Popcornmeter.

"Man, that was amazing. The action was spot on, really had me sitting tight in my seat. I've been such a big fan of the wuxia genre and it's so nice to finally see big productions of this type of genre here in America," said a filmgoer outside the packed AMC theater in Burbank, California, after attending a screening of the film.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the actress Chen Lijun. Although she comes from a traditional opera background, I think all her action scenes were incredibly beautiful, impressive, and exciting. I love her," said another filmgoer.

Martial Arts films have long found an audience in North America. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed by Ang Lee and released in 2000, became a major crossover success, grossing about 128 million U.S. dollars in the United States. Its success paved the way for other acclaimed works, including Hero and House of Flying Daggers directed by Zhang Yimou.

"Blades of the Guardians" reignites enthusiasm for martial arts films in North America

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival