In short:
Not recommended, not a good production overall. One of those three stars is for the budget which partially seems to have been there, one is for costume/backdrop and stagework, i would detract 1 for both martial arts choreography (overly complicated spinkicks and pushkicks that would never work or be used) put on that horrible effects and u got a really bad movie. This can barely be compared to the old 70's and 80'skung fu movies.
This is bad, the only saving grace is the plotline which first denotes the dragon as metaphorical and keeps the interest not fully dead.
19 Reviews
What The Hell Happened??
Movie-Misfit27 November 2019
I was able to catch Invincible Dragon on my flight to Hong Kong recently and well - let's just say on my DVD shopping spree in Kowloon, I hadn't the slightest urge to buy this one for my collection!
That collection by the way, which is a strong 4,000 movies consisting mainly of HK cinema, which probably contains nothing (if very few) like what I witnessed when watching this film...
I can't even say, if this was made in the 80s it would work - it's not even just the insanity of the story that makes this a WTF movie - it's the script, the acting, the dodgy CG, and using Silva as a bad guy, and well, I guess the direction too!
Celebrated director Fruit Chan's first foray into action cinema is quite simply not a great one. It's not even a good one! I does have the odd entertaining moment or three, but that's far from enough to make up for the mess woven throughout it.
It's quite unfortunate really.
I was really hoping this would be a real return to what's been missing from HK cinema the last 20 years... but no.
Give it a go. You may find it entertaining, or like myself, you may just be left asking yourself 'what the actual did I just watch?'
That collection by the way, which is a strong 4,000 movies consisting mainly of HK cinema, which probably contains nothing (if very few) like what I witnessed when watching this film...
I can't even say, if this was made in the 80s it would work - it's not even just the insanity of the story that makes this a WTF movie - it's the script, the acting, the dodgy CG, and using Silva as a bad guy, and well, I guess the direction too!
Celebrated director Fruit Chan's first foray into action cinema is quite simply not a great one. It's not even a good one! I does have the odd entertaining moment or three, but that's far from enough to make up for the mess woven throughout it.
It's quite unfortunate really.
I was really hoping this would be a real return to what's been missing from HK cinema the last 20 years... but no.
Give it a go. You may find it entertaining, or like myself, you may just be left asking yourself 'what the actual did I just watch?'
A massive swing and a miss in Hong Kong cinema...
paul_haakonsen1 January 2020
I hadn't heard about this movie from writer and director Fruit Chan prior to getting to sit down and watch it. And it being a Hong Kong action movie was essentially all that was needed to catch my interesting.
It would be an overstatement to say that "The Invincible Dragon" (aka "Jiu long bu bai") is an outstanding moment in Hong Kong cinema. This movie was a massive swing and a miss.
For me it was the storyline that was the source of where it all went wrong, because there was no red line throughout the course of the movie. It all just felt random and like something director Fruit Chan made up as they went along, without taking into consideration what happened just 15 minutes ago. The movie was a befuddled mess of chaotic confusion and very little sense permeated the movie.
And it didn't help much that the character gallery in the movie was about as interesting as wet cardboard. So it was an uphill battle that the actors and actresses were fighting, and they weren't doing much to win the battle.
I managed to endure the movie to the end, but believe you me that this was a prolonged experience, and the movie felt to be dragging on forever and ever. As the movie hit 55 minutes, I was good and ready to call it quits, because the movie just trotted on in a stupor. But I endured, and I hung in there to the very end.
However, I can honestly say that this movie is not one that I will be sitting down to watch again. My rating of "The Invincible Dragon" is a mere three out of ten stars.
It would be an overstatement to say that "The Invincible Dragon" (aka "Jiu long bu bai") is an outstanding moment in Hong Kong cinema. This movie was a massive swing and a miss.
For me it was the storyline that was the source of where it all went wrong, because there was no red line throughout the course of the movie. It all just felt random and like something director Fruit Chan made up as they went along, without taking into consideration what happened just 15 minutes ago. The movie was a befuddled mess of chaotic confusion and very little sense permeated the movie.
And it didn't help much that the character gallery in the movie was about as interesting as wet cardboard. So it was an uphill battle that the actors and actresses were fighting, and they weren't doing much to win the battle.
I managed to endure the movie to the end, but believe you me that this was a prolonged experience, and the movie felt to be dragging on forever and ever. As the movie hit 55 minutes, I was good and ready to call it quits, because the movie just trotted on in a stupor. But I endured, and I hung in there to the very end.
However, I can honestly say that this movie is not one that I will be sitting down to watch again. My rating of "The Invincible Dragon" is a mere three out of ten stars.
What a JOKE!!
MovieIQTest18 October 2019
This is the worst of the worst movies out of Hong Kong so far in 2019. It might become the champion of the worst movie ever made in Hong Kong. What a big joke, man. The screenplay is so childish and ridiculous, the directing, the costume and make-up, the....Well, none of them was right, just ridiculously bad. The hair stylist for the leading actor should be fired. It's just bad, through and through. Zhang Jin was totally wasted by this absurd movie, and he should be aware that if he kept signing up to play roles in such kinda lousy movies with so laughable screenplays and bad directors, soon he'd be marginalized and pushed aside as a B-level actor. All the supporting actors in this movie also suck big time. Nothing is right, so don't waste your time and money to watch this brain-dead movie. It'll harm your brain.
Jin Zhang and serial killer with beautiful yoga trainer!
saptesh78631 July 2020
It is average action movie. Though story is interesting script is some messy makes us to loose interest. There is no shocking suspense for serial killing. This part is so weak. Other hand leading action star Jin Zhang does not impress us as his previous movies like 'Kill Zone', ' Grandmaster' etc. He is impressive martial arts actor especially for his flying actions. Lady yoga trainer is another attraction for this spiritless story plot. Her fight with Jin in train is main interesting part in the movie as me. Over all movie is once time watchable not with expectation of perfect action movie.
Disappointing movie
adriantwt22 June 2019
I was expecting as good from Max Zhang. Action scenes from the actor of Master Z was not bad. But then, the real story of what the director is bringing to the fans is totally out of the line. I would not understand what they are trying to mean by showing the 9 headed dragon and also tattoos display. Anyway, I would opt out of any films by this director already.
I was expecting a bit more, but...
XueHuaBingYu17 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Jiu Long Bu Bai aka The Invincible Dragon is a Hong Kong film. So, naturally, the language it used is Cantonese. But the one I got is in Mandarin Chinese. So, I don't know how the original one sounds. This review is based on the version I've watched. Hence, it might have some differences since it's not the same version.
I was kind of exciting to see this film because of Zhang Jin (Max Zhang). I know him as he does a lot of actions. So, when I saw he's in this film, I was kind of expecting more actions. But when the film's finished, I was kind of a bit disappointed. The plot is concerning with working a case. So, it is a kind of detective story. But it turned out to be failed detective story. What I don't like is they didn't show how Jiu Long solves the case step by step. How the case is solved is the mastermind himself came out. I wanted to see how he solved the case and not the mastermind said he's the one. So, yeah, a bit disappointed.
As it is in action film genre, there are a lot of actions too. The choreography is kind of OK. But if they are a bit more awesome, it'd be better. That being said, there should be more actions too. Too bad that there were not.
There are a lot of hidden jokes as well. Sorry, I shouldn't say jokes. They are not exactly jokes. But they are funny. On the other hand, it makes the film less serious. But as for viewers, it's kind of good.
To conclude this review, Jiu Long Bu Bai is kind of less serious than I thought it was. But we all know that a lot of Hong Kong films are a bit less serious. That's why I don't want Hong Kong films that much. If they could improve the plot better and make it a bit more serious, it might turn out to be a good one. Right now, it's just on the acceptable level. So sorry for saying something like that.
I was kind of exciting to see this film because of Zhang Jin (Max Zhang). I know him as he does a lot of actions. So, when I saw he's in this film, I was kind of expecting more actions. But when the film's finished, I was kind of a bit disappointed. The plot is concerning with working a case. So, it is a kind of detective story. But it turned out to be failed detective story. What I don't like is they didn't show how Jiu Long solves the case step by step. How the case is solved is the mastermind himself came out. I wanted to see how he solved the case and not the mastermind said he's the one. So, yeah, a bit disappointed.
As it is in action film genre, there are a lot of actions too. The choreography is kind of OK. But if they are a bit more awesome, it'd be better. That being said, there should be more actions too. Too bad that there were not.
There are a lot of hidden jokes as well. Sorry, I shouldn't say jokes. They are not exactly jokes. But they are funny. On the other hand, it makes the film less serious. But as for viewers, it's kind of good.
To conclude this review, Jiu Long Bu Bai is kind of less serious than I thought it was. But we all know that a lot of Hong Kong films are a bit less serious. That's why I don't want Hong Kong films that much. If they could improve the plot better and make it a bit more serious, it might turn out to be a good one. Right now, it's just on the acceptable level. So sorry for saying something like that.
worst action movie i ever watch
rebornx28 June 2019
Storey line is weird, meaningless, fool... but i think the actors are so good because they can say out the ridiculous dialogues prepared by the director or pic. the actors must be hold back and not to laugh for whole movie.salute!
Nonsense
HadiAriyan0728 February 2020
Max Zhang is AMAZING!
nicolemurphy81422 March 2021
Max Zhang is always impressive! His fighting is beautiful in its grace and brutality! I never tire of watching him fight. The story line is good for an action flick. More impressive is his English! I know it's hard to get the pronunciation down. Max Zhang did a good job with that. He was understandable. I wish the writers had done a better job with the English parts. Not that they were any more cheesy than American action flick writing.
I gave this a 6 because Max Zhang is Amazing despite some of the bad writing!
I gave this a 6 because Max Zhang is Amazing despite some of the bad writing!
one of the worst movies ever
mehransiri-2171815 April 2020
Creating legend
JeanMichel-Sourd116 July 2019
Fruit Chan is trying to create an Hong Kong (I should say Kowloon) urban legend, inspired by American super heroes, but with a complete local Chinese flavor with this dragon that made him invincible (that brings that title). Some scenes are quite surrealistic and oneiric, but at least it's really creative. Action scenes are very well choreographed.
Unwatchably bad
grandmastersik6 September 2019
Sigh, where to begin?
The film starts off almost as a comedy, but it's ludicrous instead of funny. Then, the hero of the story gets posted to a new location - which is supposed to be quiet - only to find a serial killer is bumping off female cops. Horrible dialogue ruins this film - if someone told me a saboteur destroyed the film in translation, I'd likely believe it. That's how bad the dialogue is. Voice-overs fill in the blanks as the film hops locations, not making a lot of sense, with almost zero drama, until some black dude hops out of a bath tub with a kick for no apparent reason, a herbal medicine doctor goes full-annoying and... well, I simply couldn't suffer the mess of the plot and bad characters any more and I turned it off.
Production-wise: great - lighting is fantastic, shots are aesthetically-put together and the sound's professional, but, oh my god, is the story tripe!
The film starts off almost as a comedy, but it's ludicrous instead of funny. Then, the hero of the story gets posted to a new location - which is supposed to be quiet - only to find a serial killer is bumping off female cops. Horrible dialogue ruins this film - if someone told me a saboteur destroyed the film in translation, I'd likely believe it. That's how bad the dialogue is. Voice-overs fill in the blanks as the film hops locations, not making a lot of sense, with almost zero drama, until some black dude hops out of a bath tub with a kick for no apparent reason, a herbal medicine doctor goes full-annoying and... well, I simply couldn't suffer the mess of the plot and bad characters any more and I turned it off.
Production-wise: great - lighting is fantastic, shots are aesthetically-put together and the sound's professional, but, oh my god, is the story tripe!
Totally crazy
faer_kr3 June 2020
A Chinese movie.
It is a kind of action thriller.
Totally crazy.
The effects are lousy, quite a few moments are poorly achieved and caricatured, in fact the dragon is too exaggerated.
Disappoints in visual effects.
The performances are not entirely accomplished.
The choreographies of well executed blows.
The script seems written by a teenager. Although the story is not bad.
It fulfills its function which is to entertain but only that.
It is about a detective who has to have a revolver in a case of murdering female police officers and the incidents he does to achieve it.
Missed opportunity waste of time
fatherofchicks13 April 2021
I love martial arts movie, and I had high expectations with this movie but sadly disappointed me.
Movie stars Max Zhang from Master Z, SPL 2 and Ip Man 3. Going toe to toe with Anderson Silva who is a real MMA. It supposed to give the same feeling of Ip Man vs Mike Tyson. Sadly this movie could not take itself too seriously.
I was so disappointed with this movie.
1) the music used were one of the biggest problems. Who ever was the music director should be fired, or movie director was totally insane to approve those tracks in majority of scenes! The Movie just uses wrong music for the wrong time. A woman being assaulted and they play a quirky music.
2) too many unnecessary jokes that are just not funny! And jokes used at wrong time
3) main character played by Max has a health condition which the movie or story does not highlight, he just visits a psychiatrist as you don't know why.
4) I couldn't even watch all the movie or take the movie seriously because of the bad vibe and tone of the movie
5) I don't mind the poor CG effects, or the poorly obvious dragon CG, because I know I am watching an action realistic movie instead of fantasy. But you cannot even tell if that story Max said about the dragon was true or a joke. But I hated the scene they used with Max and Anderson at the wedding party, which was poorly shot! And the train wreck scene was just unneeded and stupid
6) wtf happened to Anderson Silva's voice? I know Anderson has a soft low tone voice. But every time he spoke in the movie, it just felt wrong. Almost as if he was not speaking but moving his lips, and then later doing the voice over for the movie, which is unnecessary!
7) some acting were so poor and exaggerated. Like the opening of the movie. That drug lord was the same actor in Invisible Target, and he also plays a bad guy. But his acting in the movie Invisible Target was quite good.
8) location of Macau was actually very good, I like the shots of Macau, especially the motorbike scene. Usually Macau shots in movies are always in casino.
9) martial arts fight scenes were okish, the movie was so dull I couldn't watch it till the end
10) a disappointing dull mess of a movie
Don't waste your time! Max Zhang wasted potential, a wasted opportunity for Anderson Silva.
Movie stars Max Zhang from Master Z, SPL 2 and Ip Man 3. Going toe to toe with Anderson Silva who is a real MMA. It supposed to give the same feeling of Ip Man vs Mike Tyson. Sadly this movie could not take itself too seriously.
I was so disappointed with this movie.
1) the music used were one of the biggest problems. Who ever was the music director should be fired, or movie director was totally insane to approve those tracks in majority of scenes! The Movie just uses wrong music for the wrong time. A woman being assaulted and they play a quirky music.
2) too many unnecessary jokes that are just not funny! And jokes used at wrong time
3) main character played by Max has a health condition which the movie or story does not highlight, he just visits a psychiatrist as you don't know why.
4) I couldn't even watch all the movie or take the movie seriously because of the bad vibe and tone of the movie
5) I don't mind the poor CG effects, or the poorly obvious dragon CG, because I know I am watching an action realistic movie instead of fantasy. But you cannot even tell if that story Max said about the dragon was true or a joke. But I hated the scene they used with Max and Anderson at the wedding party, which was poorly shot! And the train wreck scene was just unneeded and stupid
6) wtf happened to Anderson Silva's voice? I know Anderson has a soft low tone voice. But every time he spoke in the movie, it just felt wrong. Almost as if he was not speaking but moving his lips, and then later doing the voice over for the movie, which is unnecessary!
7) some acting were so poor and exaggerated. Like the opening of the movie. That drug lord was the same actor in Invisible Target, and he also plays a bad guy. But his acting in the movie Invisible Target was quite good.
8) location of Macau was actually very good, I like the shots of Macau, especially the motorbike scene. Usually Macau shots in movies are always in casino.
9) martial arts fight scenes were okish, the movie was so dull I couldn't watch it till the end
10) a disappointing dull mess of a movie
Don't waste your time! Max Zhang wasted potential, a wasted opportunity for Anderson Silva.
Unbelievably bad
sharonkhooml25 June 2019
I completely with the previous review. I had some expectations for the film because of Max Zhang but the plot, script and editing is completely out of place. Even the highly anticipated fight scenes at end disappointed me. I will never ever watch any film from this director regardless of how many awards he has won!
None of the main characters of this movie are native Cantonese speakers
yumfook15 October 2020
This movie is a Hong Kong production and the DVD comes with a Cantonese version. All the main characters of this movie are from all over the world but not Hong Kong. Anderson Silva is Brazilian American. Kevin Cheng and Juju Chan are Chinese American from San Francisco and New York. Annie Liu is from Taiwan and Jin Zhang is from China. None of them are native Cantonese speakers. Their dialogues in Cantonese are so funny and not one person can speak fluent Cantonese. Skip the Cantonese version.
All over the place
Leofwine_draca18 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
THE INVINCIBLE DRAGON is a real mess of a film, an attempt at a serial killer thriller focusing on the martial arts action courtesy of IP MAN star Max Zhang, but the end result is laughable more than anything. Following on from Mike Tyson and Dave Bautista's roles as heavies in Hong Kong cinema, this one casts real-life fighter Anderson Silva as the antagonist, but it's fair to say his acting ability is limited. The story is all over the place, jumping back and forth between Hong Kong and Macau, with lots of senseless plot decisions and so little of it feeling linear that they had to add in a narrator in post-production to try and make sense of it all. Zhang has little of the screen presence we've seen from him previously, although a couple of the fight scenes aren't bad, although still not fantastic. The one thing you'll remember is the ridiculous climax, which offers awful FX and then a jaw-droppingly awful supernatural twist.
Waste of time.
khaopanct3 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The film started by introducing a random dude with a dragon tattoo and he got it from a funny CGI dragon with NINE heads. He's a cop and he has a girlfriend who later got kidnapped and the rest of the film is just him wandering around, hallucinating, screaming and arguing with another woman. The villain's concept is from a cartoon: muscular, "scary", stronger, and hates the MC.
The storyline is confusing, it's like mixing multiple movies together. Almost all scenes are sped up. The fighting scenes are rubbish and boring. There's no logic in this film at all. It's just a huge waste of time watching this.
The storyline is confusing, it's like mixing multiple movies together. Almost all scenes are sped up. The fighting scenes are rubbish and boring. There's no logic in this film at all. It's just a huge waste of time watching this.
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