This film, in my opinion was disappointing on several scores. The storyline, incredibly weak, almost unfeasible, that gets blown out of proportion. It starts with a fairly reasonable plot: A jewel theft, being tailed by a Taiwan government agent, but gradually evolves into the typical good vs evil, Jet Li and Dmx saving the world from mass destruction. That is what I found so disappointing. Furthermore Jet Li's role as Su, was very two-dimensional, he never said much, or viced an opinion. In fact how much do we actually no about Su? Except he has a daughter!? I found Dmx's role equally as dull. The entire film was packed with clichés and stereotypes, it lacked originality and everything was so predictable. The crime lord in prison has a luxuriously appointed prison cell- was that a subtle way of suggesting his power and influence? Whether it was or not it was unreal... There were several car chases, Dmx managed to make a miraculous escape from a dozen police cars, a helicopter and some bloke on a motorbike... He can also walk twenty feet up walks... even his name "fait" was to stereotyped...
The Villain, Ling, was again a "seen-it-all" before disappointment, a man who boasts danger, a martial arts expert, that actually does very little. As far as characters were considered, nothing leaped out.
On a more positive note the choreography was refreshing. Jet Li delivered some impressive fighting sequences, particularly the cage-fight, against about fifteen UFC wrestlers and a midget. His stealthy sleek martial-arts style of Wushu is neatly incorporates itself with other fighting styles. Jet Li tends to use the oppositions attack to his advantage, as well as being able to dodge any attack without moving his feet. There is no denying is skill as a master of his art, and despite everybody saying in the street he couldn't do anything, I wouldn't be so sure. Watch Kiss of the Dragon, to show how he can effectively use martial arts in a more street-orientated environment.
Sadly, the film is let down by more unrealistic matters, trivial little details that tell you this film cant be taken seriously. For example: Daria, went fighting Kelly-Hu, gets kicked punched and ragged around. But she defeats her enemy by some very fancy arm movement and a machine gun. Surely the director could have come up with something more imaginative than that, as well as not having a scratch on her. But the film really surpassed the realms of reality when Ling, is in a helicopter, the helicopter gets shot by a cannon, it crashes to the ground and explodes to smithereens. But remarkably Ling climbs out of the helicopter without so much as a mark on him. I understand that this is film, but I like reality based films, that have believable and conceivable plots.
Don't get me wrong, this film isn't bad, it boasts good action, good choreography and a marginally feasible plot. However, a preempted warning, this film as its flaws, that leaves you wandering. I rated this film 5 out 10: five because of the imaginative choreography, but five off for the rest of it...
The Villain, Ling, was again a "seen-it-all" before disappointment, a man who boasts danger, a martial arts expert, that actually does very little. As far as characters were considered, nothing leaped out.
On a more positive note the choreography was refreshing. Jet Li delivered some impressive fighting sequences, particularly the cage-fight, against about fifteen UFC wrestlers and a midget. His stealthy sleek martial-arts style of Wushu is neatly incorporates itself with other fighting styles. Jet Li tends to use the oppositions attack to his advantage, as well as being able to dodge any attack without moving his feet. There is no denying is skill as a master of his art, and despite everybody saying in the street he couldn't do anything, I wouldn't be so sure. Watch Kiss of the Dragon, to show how he can effectively use martial arts in a more street-orientated environment.
Sadly, the film is let down by more unrealistic matters, trivial little details that tell you this film cant be taken seriously. For example: Daria, went fighting Kelly-Hu, gets kicked punched and ragged around. But she defeats her enemy by some very fancy arm movement and a machine gun. Surely the director could have come up with something more imaginative than that, as well as not having a scratch on her. But the film really surpassed the realms of reality when Ling, is in a helicopter, the helicopter gets shot by a cannon, it crashes to the ground and explodes to smithereens. But remarkably Ling climbs out of the helicopter without so much as a mark on him. I understand that this is film, but I like reality based films, that have believable and conceivable plots.
Don't get me wrong, this film isn't bad, it boasts good action, good choreography and a marginally feasible plot. However, a preempted warning, this film as its flaws, that leaves you wandering. I rated this film 5 out 10: five because of the imaginative choreography, but five off for the rest of it...
Tell Your Friends