It took guts to remake a martial arts classic like Bruce Lee's Chinese Connection, but Fist of Legend is a more than worthy effort. Like Jackie Chan's Drunken Master II, it brings modern pacing and stunts to the classic formulas of Seventies kung fu flicks. The terrific fight sequences were choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping, whose work in recent hits (Iron Monkey, Tai Chi Master) measures up to his classics (Drunken Master, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow). Actor Jet Li is very likeable in the lead, and he brings an interesting elusiveness to the fights -- he never outright copies Bruce Lee, but an occasional technique or catchphrase or grimace of satisfaction effortlessly recalls the master. Gordon Chan's script and co-direction are also surprisingly good; in the original Chinese Connection, Bruce Lee fought back against foreign invaders who were portrayed in a rabble-rousing (and, frankly, racist) fashion. There are still bad guys in Fist of Legend, and, needless to say, they get their asses kicked. But the movie is more nuanced, and probably gives a better impression of how Hong Kongers must really feel about being trapped between a host of imperialist aggressors.