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Everything that was good about the 163-minute theatrical release of Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor in 1987 is even better in this new 218-minute director's cut. By contrast, much that was peculiarly distant and lifeless the first time around isn't really better or worse in this edition.Conclusion: the net gains are considerable if you invest time to appreciate Bertolucci's full feeling for the odd story of Pu Yi, China's final monarch.You remember the saga: taken from his mother at the age of three, Pu Yi is brought into the enclosed walls of the Forbidden City to replace the real emperor. There he becomes a pampered prisoner and hollow symbol of an older monarchy that has since given way to a ruthless, 20th century republic.With his pining loyalists beheaded or kept at bay by armed soldiers outside the City's walls, Pu Yi is tutored by an English gentleman (Peter O'Toole) and wed to a kindred spirit (Joan Chen). Eventually cast from his gated paradise, Pu Yi (wonderfully portrayed in adulthood by John Lone) becomes, by turns, a playboy, a dupe to the Japanese, and a victim of China's cultural reforms and re-education programs. This longer cut largely top-loads the film with greater reason to feel compassion for the emperor, with his often wordless sense-adventure in the mysteries that could only be known to one little boy plunged into indecipherable alien decorum, robbed of self-determination and common sense by his infinite privilege. Added scenes (including some in the political rehabilitation camp where Pu Yi is held for a decade) fill out not so much added facts as density of experience. This improved The Last Emperor is richer in soul and a pronounced sense of Bertolucci actually directing this film in the most personal and profound sense. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (103)

Masterpiece!
If you somehow missed this one, do yourself a favor and make time available in your schedule for viewing this masterpiece from director Bernardo Bertolucci! Nine academy awards, including Best Picture [1987], only gives partial credit to this magnificently epic and absolutely unforgettable true story. It is the story of Pu Yi, who at the age of 3 comes to the Imperial Dragon Throne to become the Last Emperor of China. His whole life is spanned in this film, from his childhood, to his ultimate fate as an unskilled gardener in the streets of Bejing. Throughout this film we are treated to a cinematic feast for the senses, so rich in detail and imagery, you will be compelled to see it again as soon as possible (I saw it again the very next night!). You will have felt the full range of emotions from having experienced this movie, and few others in recent memory have mesmerized me so totally in an almost 3 hour (164 min) time span. Truly one of the greatest films of all time! Masterpiece!

Bertolucci's Last Epic!
By that I mean with great respect! Bernardo Bertolucci is known for such cinematic extravaganzas as 1973's LAST TANGO IN PARIS and 1977's 1900; and to add to his credits, 1987's Best Picture winner THE LAST EMPEROR!

A film of major diversity. An Italian director (Bertolucci), a predominately Chinese cast including frequent costars John Lone and Joan Chen, British actor and seven-time Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole, an American producer named Jeremy Thomas, and distributed by an American studio, Columbia Pictures!

John Lone is the title character, Chinese emperor "Henry" Pu-Yi, who became the last Emperor of China at the age of 3, and would be the "Lord of Ten Thousand Years!" Nothing would prepare him for the change that would eventually occur when he is forced into abdication, forced into retaking his kingdom, and forcing him to attempt suicide after his arrest and capture by Chinese and Russian communist troops after World War II. Eventually, after serving his time for conspiracy, he released from prison and lives out the rest of his life in 1967 -- as a simple gardner.

Imagine. From Emperor to gardner, totally heartbreaking! Heartbreaking is the fact that it cost him EVERYTHING! His wife "Elizabeth" Wan Jung, played with grace by the gorgeous Joan Chen; his kingdom and his freedom. But, you can't simply hate the guy! He is, of course, a man who was spoiled by his servants and soldiers as a child.

The film has both an epic scope and an excellently-written character story. (Though most historians believed that the film embellished on certain facts, like Pu-Yi's homosexuality.) It is played competently by an Asian cast and a wonderfully witty Peter O'Toole, who should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actor that year, as the Emperor's patient tutor Reginald "R.J." Johnston.

Needless to say, I cried at the very end of this film! I LOVED that scene between the elder Pu-Yi and a little boy who appears to be just like the Emperor as a child. And the symbolic message this film taught with the cricket in the jar, as the little boy opens the jar to reveal the insect (by then, Pu-Yi has magically disappeared). An epic film with a heart (like my PRISONER OF WAR)!

Winner of all 9 of its nominations including: Best Picture - Jeremy Thomas, producer; Best Director - Bernardo Bertolucci; Best Adapted Screenplay - Bertolucci and Mark Peploe; Best Cinematography; Best Art Direction/Set Decoration; Best Costume Design; Best Score; Best Sound; and Best Film Editing.

THIS FILM IS APPROXIMATELY: 2 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES.

But well worth it!

great film, awful dvd
I had the misfortune to buy this BEFORE I read the Amazon reviews and discovered that the DVD looked awful-a particular injustice for a film that won Best Picture. It's only 17 years old; there are films from the 30's that look great on DVD! I see though that in the U.K. they released a 2-disc version with commentary and both the original theatrical cut as well as the director's cut. I assume it's also restored and anamorphic and can only hope that we get an American version soon. The movie gets 5 stars, even at 219 minutes. The DVD gets 1 star, so that averages out to a generous 3.

Breathtakingly Beautiful, Decadent and Misconceived.
I revere every Bertoluccifs work tremendously, and this lavish film is no exception.
I was completely mesmerised by the view of the Forbidden City, beautiful period costumes of the Emperor and the Imperial family with which the director says he really cared about the historical accuracy to recreate as well as other things.
The historical accuracy is, however, not necessarily applied to the part of which Japan was involved. The foundation of Manshu-koku, (Manchukuo is the Chinese word) and the restoration of the Manchu Emperor Pfu Yi, and the alleged atrocities made to the Japanese Imperial Army, namely, gRape of Nankingh, etc. It is so because both Bernaldo Bertolucci and the producer Jeremy Thomas seem to have truly believed in the auto-biography of Pfu Yi, gFrom Emperor to Citizenh that written for propaganda purpose, and the Frank Caprafs U.S. propaganda film; gThe Battle of Chinah at their face values.
First thing is first, Chinese Communistfs gbrainwashingh undeniably exists. In the same year this film first came out, 1987, gFrom Emperor to Citizenh was re-published by Oxford University Press with new comprehensive general introduction and chapter introductions by W.J.F. Jenner, the translator of the original 1964 gdeliberately restricted editionh published by Foreign Language Press, BeiJing.
Jenner explains; gThe special consideration shown Pfu Yi and other high-ranking Manchukuo(sic), Japanese, and Nationalist officials cannot be regarded as typical of Chinese prison conditions. These were all people of potential value in winning over others in future, and political considerations saved them from the harsh justice that many lesser figures received.h And, Jenner continues, Pfu Yifs gsuccessful thought reformh which made him gusefulh and able body to work like other ordinary people, that Bertolucci praises vigorously, was, in fact, gsomething of ritualh. Pfu Yifs fourth wifefs account of his incapableness of looking after himself, even after his release of 1959, reveals some part of the truth.
His fifth and final marriage to a well qualified nurse was garranged by the Chinese Peoplefs Political Consultative Conference and the Communist Partyfs United Front Department. [cccc] He was even protected from the Cultural Revolution by Chou En-laifs intervention, and the local police kept Red Guards away. [cccc] Pfu Yifs presentation to foreigners as a living advertisement for the Peoplefs Government and the Communist Party began in 1956, while he was still in prison; and after his release he was often required to meet foreign visitors to China.h Those facts show that Pfu Yi was not successfully remolded@into an ordinary citizen after all, but made a perfect gmouthpieceh of the Communist Party Propaganda Department.

Bertolucci may never have read this revealing version of the Pfu Yifs gauto-biographyh. (In fact, the book was re-written before it was published in 1964 by Communist Propaganda Department writers based on the gconfessionsh Pfu Yi and Pfu Chieh had made in the prison as outcome of gbrainwashingh.)
But, in any case, the directorfs knowledge on the so-called gRape of Nankingh is awfully wrong.
He believes; gThe Japanese killed 300,000 Chinese people in *2 or 3 days* in Nanking.h (How did he think it was possible as the matter of reality?)
In fact, however, the *200,000* civilian refugee in Nanking were well protected by the Japanese Army and decrease of the number never recorded by the gobjectiveh foreigners of the International Committee of the Nanking Safety Zone, who, by the way, are assumed by many people including scholars as gthe witnesses of the Rape of Nankingh. They, on the contrary, recorded *increase* of the population to 250,000 within a few weeks after the capture of the city. No one saw such barbaric massacre except the Chinese propagandists and, actually, some members of the Committee who were hired by the Chinese Nationalist Party as international propaganda agents. Some ordinary Chinese people (genuine citizens of Nanking) even condemned the Chinese soldiers for the wrong-doing in Nanking.
Apart from gRape of Nankingh, the gnewsreelh in the film Pfu Yi and his co-inmates had watched is full of errors and, I dare to say, pernicious propaganda.
The planes that bombed Shanghai International Settlement and killed thousands of civilian was actually the Chinese. (Page 352 of The China Year Book 1938, edited by H.G.W. Woodhead, North China Daily News) And, the gexecutionh scene of the Chinese civilian is, I am sure, taken from the famous propaganda film by Frank Capra; gThe battle of Chinah that shows, in fact, the executioners are the Chinese Nationalist Party Army. Because of the fact the scene was gtrimmedh to ghideh the true identity of the executioners, I think Bertolucci did know they were using propaganda material.
What I do not know is their purpose. It may have been to get permission to make the film in Beijing under ghawk-eyeh of the Communist Party authorities they might have pretended to be pro-communist. In either way, this filmfs authenticity was sullied and that is very a shame.

Still, to me, this special edition is very interesting as a resource to understand the Cultural Revolution and the nature of brainwashing because it includes first-hand interviews of aging Pfu Chieh and the real life prison governor. Only one thing I would desire is subtitles, for the sake of clarification of the dialogues spoken by non-English speakers.

Good movie.... Awful DVD
Enough comments have been made on the movie so I'll just tell you my opinion on the DVD edition. It is one of the worst DVD transcription I have ever saw. I really had the impression to watch a DivX. Do I need to tell more about the resolution? Only the english soundtrack is available (I wish the movie had been shooted in Chinese or Mandarin but that's not the point) and no subtitles. The DVD presents the director's cut which makes the movie 3 and a half hour instead of 2 and a half. The theatrical version is not available on the DVD... Otherwise there is no additionnal material. ... Read more

Reviews (159)

Packs a big punch
"The Transporter" is by no means a theatrical masterpiece...but that doesn't matter. The stunts are amazing: from the opening car chase to the multiple battles featuring Jason Statham vs. Large Group of Bad Guys. I challenge anyone to watch this movie and not say "Whoa!" at least ten times throughout the duration.
Statham holds his own in his first starring role, sometimes shirtless and covered in oil (a little something for the ladies). He proves to be the right mixture of brood and mystery needed for this type of action hero. And anyone should be impressed with an actor who did a lot of his own stunts (either that or his stuntman is a perfect doppleganger).
Overall, the movie is great fun, but it's not to be taken seriously. There is a plot that attempts to keep the movie going, but it's only a tiny distraction. Corey Yuen's direction and the fight choreography are classy enough to make this a better action movie than some. Need I even mention Steven Seagal's recent debaucles?
I think the best things that are going to emerge from "The Transporter" release are the budding American careers of the main star and director. I'd love to see what either of these two do next.

Holds you and doesn't let go!
Wow, Jason Statham finally made it!. That's what I felt after watching this hugely enjoyable action romp from director Corey Yueng who has collaborated with such as Luc Besson in the past in movies like "Red Dragon". This movie has a distinct European feel, not only in locations, but also direction, and one could be forgiven for thinking this was a Besson movie. This notwithstanding, it is a great roller coaster action flick, with some very well choreographed fight and action sequences. Mr Statham plays retired special forces hardman Frank Martin (why do they always retire so young?) living in the South of France who is a highly paid, feared and reveared professional courier, sporting a customized BMW, and formidable array of weapons (himself included). Regardless of the cargo, he conducts himself with consumate expertise, and deadly force where necessary, but is essentially a morally driven "good guy" who just happens to work as a mercenary. Quickly embroiled in a kidnapping, and attempted murder he stirs up a veritable hornets nest of villians who are not only armed to the teeth, but also ruthlessly led by a sadistic and equally die hard nemesis played by Matt Schulze. You can easily watch this movie over and over again for it's non stop action pace, and very slick direction, but the more discerning viewer, will want to leave the intellect behind, as this is pure adrenaline junky material. I would have given this movie 5 stars, but for a couple of reasons. Some of the fight sequences just cross the line a tad on believabilty (even in this genre of escapism) and the amazing ability of all character (Statham included) to endure taking the kind of punishment that would drop a Rhino, and still bouncing back like new. The only other moan would be the annoying habit it seems today, of multiple scenes and sequences that appear in the trailer, NOT being in the film! - if you check out the extended features on the DVD you'll see.
If you can place your tongue squarely in your cheek for a couple of hours though, you will LOVE this movie.

Girl Porn
Jason Statham, shirtless, greased up in a bus station kicking ass. Oh.my.god. This movie has a crappy plot & silly dialogue, but I own in because Mr. Statham is the hottest British guy ever. The action sequences are really good, and he does his own stunts. If Jason Statham & Vin Diesel made a movie together where they get in a fight & accidentally kiss, I would be in heaven.

hahaha soo bad
the first scene was good but it just went downhill from there, a very steep hill. bad acting, bad story line, bad everything

Worth One Viewing & Only One
I made the mistake of watching this more than once. In the theater, on a huge screen in a dark room, the action scenes are incredible and the story reasonable enough. On repeated viewings, numerous mistakes in continuity, logic and possibility become obvious. For our hero to have accomplished a few of his feats, he would have been blessed with either x-ray vision or clairvoyancy. The movie takes great pains to repeatedly tell and show the viewer what an "I" dotting "T" crossing exacting professional our hero is. That Mr. Self Control spends the vast majority of the movie behaving with the self control of a ten year old with ADD seems incongruous. Also, word to the unwise, never establish yourself in an extremely dangerous business and deliberately place yourself in the position of having to trust extremely untrustworthy strangers who might not have your best interests at heart. Rule number three should really be: I always get to know what's in the package because, when I'm out there driving, its my butt on the line, not yours and, after all, it might be a bomb. Luc Besson's fingerprints are all over this movie. Its another one of his damsel in distress vehicles. Both the 5th Element and The Professional are along the same lines and are much better movies. ... Read more

Reviews (79)

A life worth remembering
Rob Cohen's DRAGON THE BRUCE LEE STORY is the best film that Bruce Lee never made. Though Cohen recounts the man's life in some kind of chronological order, he doesn't simply "tell it like it was", preferring instead to visualise Lee's major achievements in terms of his philosophy and beliefs. Therefore, alongside the development of Lee's martial arts techniques (demonstrated in a series of increasingly fluid fight sequences) and his relationship with his wife and children, Lee's inner demons are personified by way of a spectral Ming warrior who seems to intrude on his everyday reality, prior to claiming him forever in 1973 at the age of 32. Perhaps the film's major triumph is the fortuitous casting of Jason Scott Lee in the title role, giving the performance of a lifetime under what must have been hugely difficult circumstances, and he dominates a fine cast of supporting players, including newcomers Lauren Holly and Sterling Macer, and veterans Robert Wagner, Michael Learned and Nancy Kwan. Universal's region 1 DVD is a replica of their 'Signature Collection' laserdisc, and is probably the last word on this exceptional film. Presented in glorious Panavision widescreen (though not, alas, anamorphically - the disc's only real flaw), the images are solid and colorful, and Randy Edelman's evocative music score is well-served by the Dolby Digital soundtrack. There's a wealth of extras, too, including the obligatory (but very welcome!) trailers, production notes, star profiles, and an eye-opening director's commentary which manages to bridge the difficult gap between education and entertainment. The "Making of" documentary could have been longer and more detailed, I suppose, and it took me ages to figure out that the storyboards and photo-gallery sections could only be manipulated using the chapter-skip function on my remote control, but the disc is otherwise an essential purchase for anyone even remotely interested in the subject matter. All in all, a worthy tribute to the enduring legacy of a remarkable man.

Well Meaning, But Too Over the Top
This well-meaning but flawed film purports to be about the life and times of Bruce Lee, the intense, talented actor and martial artist who died tragically all too young. There is dispute over the biographical truth of the film, which is really neither here nor there, as the film seems far less interested in delving into Lee's biography than it does walking a strange line between drama and melodrama. Though he doesn't much resemble the real-life Bruce Lee, star Jason Scott Lee tries hard to capture the actor's raw power and charisma, with mixed results. He's best in the film's quieter moments, when the sincerity of his face gives the film much-needed grounding, and worst when his frenetic facial expressions and frequent shouting border on camp. But this probably isn't Lee's fault, as the film itself drifts in and out of wanting to be taken seriously and wanting to be a pseudo-chopsocky matinee, all to an often-syrupy music score. Co-star Lauren Holly is believable as Lee's caucasian wife, who struggles with him against racism that comes from so many in society--even her own mother. It is here that the film works best, illustrating the humiliation and degradation of anti-Asian racism that Lee, who simply wants to be recognized as the American he is, endures from fellow Americans, even after achieving his fame. A particularly clever--and dead-on accurate--scene reveals the isolation and thoughtless prejudice that Asian Americans frequently face: amidst a crowd of whites roaring with laughter, Lee quietly suffers Mickey Rooney's grotesque yellowface characterization in the critically-acclaimed "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Had the film focused more on meaningful emotional pyrotechnics like these, rather than the frequent, goofy interplay between Lee and a symbolic Mongol warrior, it might have captured the essence of the man instead of his onscreen persona. Like "Boogie Nights," it would have risen above the obvious exploitive qualities of its subject matter.

Inspiring
"Dragon" is an epic depicting the life of Bruce Lee. In my opinion, it is one of the most entertaining biopics of recent times. It follows the life of Bruce Lee from his childhood in Hong Kong to right before his death. The DVD version is particularly interesting because it comes with a few interviews that really shed light on Bruce Lee the man. This movie doesn't just focus on his martial arts, but it also shows his life as a family man, and an American. I found his struggle against racism to be the most moving point in this movie. Prior to Bruce Lee, the roles of Asians in Hollywood were restricted to laundrymen, villians, and caricatures. Through his effort and self-confidence, Bruce was able to make Asians into Hollywood heros. Suddenly Asia was cool.

Jason Scott Lee does a great job of portraying Bruce Lee and it's a shame that we can't see more of him these days. You can really feel the power of his performance on the screen. If you have any interest in Bruce Lee, you have to check out this film. It's sure to inspire you to reach for your own impossible dreams.

"Dragon" REVIEW
Biographical pic of martial arts legend Bruce Lee (inspired by a novel written by his widow) is as intruiging as it is exciting. The film follows Lee from his arrival in the United States to showcase his transformation from a shy bus boy to an international movie icon. Along the way, we learn about Bruce's decision to bring Jeet Kun Doe to the Western civilization despite heavy objection from his peers. "Dragon" is also treated as a love story as director Rob Cohen shows us the origins of Bruce's romance with wife Linda. While Cohen uses a great deal of artistic license in telling the "true story" of Bruce Lee, it certainly makes for one hell of an impressive movie. Randy Edelman's first-rate musical score is the icing on the cake.

Not a documentary, just a great movie!!!!
Director Rob Cohen intended this movie to be an entertaining and thought-provoking homage to Bruce Lee and his wife Linda, not a historical re-enactment. As such, the movie only follows the outlines of the real Bruce and Linda Lee story. And the movie is definitely as much about Linda as it is about Bruce. It is as stirring a love story as any other put onto the big screen in recent times.

For all those hyper-Bruce Lee fans who have panned this movie, I have just one thing to tell you - watch the DVD version with the Director's Commentary turned on. You might learn a thing or two about the real Bruce Lee story. Yes, Rob Cohen's commentary track is worth it all by itself to get this DVD, because he discusses many of the changes made in the movie from the real story, and explains why he made the changes. He doesn't have time to explain everything, but he covers a lot (e.g., the deletion of Seattle from the storyline came about because the Univ. of Washington pissed him off with their refusal to allow him to film on campus, so he just scratched out the entire city and changed it to San Francisco). Along the way, he throws in a number of little historical gems, pointing out things in the movie that might have been put in for dramatic effect but in fact really did happen (e.g., Linda's mother making the comment to her about "having yellow babies" - Linda's mother, who was still alive, actually signed a release to allow herself to be portrayed this way).

Anyway, here's why this movie is great:

1. It is one of the first of the few major Hollywood movies ever made that depict an interracial love story of a Chinese/Caucasian couple where the Chinese person in the story is a MAN. Even today, Hollywood still seems to be much more comfortable with putting cute Chinese women matched with Caucasian leading men onto the big screen.

2. The movie really emphasizes the racial discrimination aspect of the Bruce Lee story, for example, bringing out to the general public the real story behind how David Carradine got the TV show "Kung Fu" (Carradine became very defensive about this part of his acting resume after this movie came out). Cohen dwells on this racism aspect more so than either Linda or Bruce Lee ever did in real life. Most likely, they preferred to ignore the racism and rise above it rather than draw attention to it. It's great that themes like this finally get explored in movies.

3. Jason Scott Lee is terrific. He's bigger and buffer than the real Bruce Lee (who at 5' 7" was shorter than my teenage daughter) And he's a better actor. And no, he's not as quick as the real Bruce Lee, but few people ever were, and for somebody not trained in the martial arts, he sure did a great job of faking it. Unfortunately, since this movie, Jason seems to have undergone a Bruce Lee experience of his own - after making a few more major movies, his career has started to fade from the big screen as more "authentic" and bankable (in the Asian market anyway) Chinese actors such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat take over Hollywood's slot for Asian leading men.

4. The soundtrack by Randy Edelman is terrific (if somewhat repetitious). One of the most beautiful parts of the movie was the scene where Jason Scott Lee and Lauren Holly go through their balletic kung-fu excercises in perfect unison to Edelman's stirring score.

5. Lauren Holly is terrific. She too is a Hollywood improvement on the original. For one thing, in the movie, although she cuts her hair short after marriage, just like the real Linda Lee, her hair never takes on the 60's - era puffed bun look of the original Linda Lee (geez, was there ever a more horrible hairstyle than the puffed bun). For another, her role is much more aggressive and pro-active, more of a proto-feminist from the 90's. The ending of this movie makes it seem as if she was close to leaving Bruce Lee to return to the U.S., whereas the real truth was that Bruce Lee at the time was already traveling back and forth to the U.S. as well as all over the world, and it would have been far more likely that he would have been the one to spin out of her orbit as he scaled the heights of international superstardom.

This is not just a movie about Bruce Lee, it is a great and moving love story. Listen to Director Rob Cohen again as he talks about the final scene in this movie, when Jason Scott Lee gives a good-bye kiss to Lauren Holly and then climbs up the stairs to the Han Island movie set:

"When I look at this scene, no matter how many times, I still get choked up.... Part of it is that how much these people loved each other. Part of it was how beautiful they were together, and what a stand they made for their time. Part of it is that, as he's finishing this film, he's finishing his life, and we know it and he doesn't.....I wanted to give the homage of his fellow martial artists to the great image, the great work, the great place in history of Bruce Lee....to see him again, mythically, legendarily, above and eternal, in motion, never stopping, always kinetic, and always with us." ... Read more

Reviews (166)

More Drama Than Action
This is the most serious film of Jet Li's that I've seen. Jet plays a Chinese cop in Paris trying to crack a drug ring only to discover that his French counterpart, Karyo, is the ringleader. Jet is framed for murder and goes on the lam, with the assistance of drug-addict prostitute, Bridget Fonda. Fonda knows that Karyo is dirty but he is holding her little girl as hostage. Li agrees to rescue the daughter if Fonda will testify. Karyo snatches the little girl before Li can reach her. But Li follows the Karyo to his headquaters, defeats everyone in the building and kills Karyo with the Kiss of the Dragon, an acupuncture point that shuts down the body.
The action is up to Jet's usual quality but not quantity.Lots of innocent standbys gets killed by the French cops. Li seems to focus more on his acting skills and dramatic interplay with Fonda. The dialogue is predictable but delivered with intensity. Li outdoes himself in this movie, acting-wise while Fonda is underutilized. She is a much better actress. Karyo plays a bad cop well. You want him to die.
There are some funny moments like when Li escapes from pursuing cops only to find himself in a dojo full of French blackbelts!! Of course, he whips all of them in a predictable but fun to watch sequence. When Li fights the two blondes is another funny sequence.
But overall , this is not a funny movie. It's dark and disturbing and shows a more mature dramatic side of Li.

WOW, a martial arts movie without wire-works
I decided to see this movie when it came out expecting to see what I saw in the usual Jet Li movies, wire-works (some of you kung-fu movie watchers know what I am talking about, but if you don't, wire-works is when the actor or stunt man is suspended in air or swinging on a cable performing unusual fighting moves). Wire-works are cute, but I do not like them because they are slow and take me away from the action most of the time. This movie HAS NO WIRE WORKS in the action sequences. I was so happy, finally a martial arts movie for the new millennium not caught into the new-old trend to hit Hollywood. The martial arts scenes are fast, rough, brutal, and are simply what Bruce Lee fans want to see. There was a fight scene Jet Li had in a dojo that reminded me of Chinese Connection a.k.a. "Fist of Fury".

The story was not bad; it was good for a martial arts action movie. Personally I would have made the movie a bit longer (like 10 or 20 minutes) to make sure people know exactly why things are going on. Its workable but would have been perfect with a little bit of information. The big one in the beginning such as the French investigator and the Chinese drug boss, the movie doesn't tell you their connection exactly but it's implied.

Li is an overly devoted cop, so he doesn't have much to work with until he meets Fonda's character, there his character is not just doing the job but being a character. Fonda's character used to be addicted to drugs and is a forced-to-be prostitute. So her reactions were pretty not bad for Fonda's acting and I thought she did a good job for her given character.

The score is done by Craig Armstrong (from Massive Attack), which is cool of techno/orchestra. Also there are some hip-hop songs thrown in two of the fight scenes. The one by Mystikal was bearable because of the drum beat (not a bass electronic beat) so it felt OK. Personally I don't like rap in fight scenes cause the talking (rapping) might take it away. I like rap in the background or to set a scene, not in a fight scene, unless it is instrumental.

Terrific Modern Action Movie
Kiss of the Dragon is a hyperactive martial arts movie with a heavy European feel. After Jet Li's fans were left disappointed with the fake, CGI-enhanced fighting in Romeo Must Die he decided to go back to practical, hand-to-hand combat with literally no strings attached. KOTD is the perfect excuse for action, with minimal plot and impossible odds.

Basically, Jet Li plays a Chinese cop Lui Jian who travels to Paris to help the police bring a crime boss to justice. But the French police just happen to be heavily, heavily corrupt and kill Mr. Big, framing Lui Jian in the process.

Keen to stay alive, Lui Jian flees the scene, but not before screaming, mad and completely hatstand police inspector Richard (Tcheky Caryo in his typically delirious role) sends just about every hardened police psycho after him. Outrageously outnumbered, Lui Jian prevails and fights his way through swarms and swarms of thugs out for his blood. Using only his hands and feet (and any useful nearby tool) he manages to wipe them all out.

Far-fetched it may be, but action choreographer Cory Yuen shoots it all in the most realistic and stylish way. You really will believe Lui Jian is capable of such an impossible feat, that's how realistic the action is. And all without glamorising guns.

KOTD uses the rule of increasingly mad set-pieces. The first desperate escape through the corridors and passageways of the hotel, the death-defying escape from the Seine Barge and through the tunnels and sewers, the orphanage confrontation and (especially) the final scene in the police station where Lui Jian takes on a dojo full of martial artist police officers, evil twins and finally Inspector Richard. It's all breathtaking stuff and very, very violent. With far too many sanitised PG-13 minded 'action' movies abundant these days KOTD is a breath of hardcore fresh air.

If you like this then I suggest checking out The Transporter. It may be slightly tamer but it's made by the same people (producer Luc Besson, Writer Robert Mark Kamen and Cory Yuen) and is also set in France, only with a warmer, more exotic look.

The DVD is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with a great Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. There are some extras and a commentary if you're into that sort of thing.

Jet Li kicks all
This movie is probably Li's best. The movie zips along after the scene where a Chinese drug dealer gets zapped by a whore, who gouges him with long knitting needles. Some of the movie was idiotic, especially the scene where Fonda has to urinate in Jet Li's shop, and where Li's Chinese contact gets shot. The plot basically centers around Jet Li getting framed for the murder of the Chinese drug dealer, and escaping throughout France, from the corrupt police chief and his gang of drug dealers. There is one spectacular scene where Li is in the police station, and destroys a group of 30 martial arts cadets who attack him with sticks and body moves. The ending is triumphant, Li demolishes two massive bleach blonde twins, in the most amazing show of kung fu yet. Tcheky Karyo as the police chief has a wonderful charm, and seethes with sinister trickery simultaneously.
Chris Mahon could have gotten a little more out of the relationship between Fonda and Li. They are more like the Honeymooners, always arguing and Fonda wise cracking. The scenes didn't connect. All in all, worth seeing for Jet Li fans.

Jet and Brenda don't match
Bad movie, bad story. If it were not for the few good action scenes, I would have given this a 1 star rating. ... Read more

Reviews (71)

The story of one man's remarkable journey
Seven Years in Tibet, being a true account, is a tale of journeys, both a physical journey and a spiritual one. The film centers around the selfish and arrogant Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), an Austrian who joins an expedition to climb Nanga Parbat in British India in 1939. When World War Two breaks out, he is arrested with his team and interned in India. Finally he and his friend escape and make their way into Tibet, the remote country of which few foreigners had ever entered. After a harrowing and near death two year trek across the remote regions of Tibet, Harrer and his companion arrive in the forbidden city of Lhasa, home to the Dalai Lama of Tibet. After a few more years of living amongst the Tibetan people, Harrer is forced to leave after the Communist Chinese invade Tibet.

The movie does an excellent job of developing Harrer's character, who goes from being a lonely man who cares only for himself and his own personal glory, to a man who after encountering the gentle spirituality of the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama, becomes a man who is at peace with himself and has attained his own level of self knowledge. While some may criticize Harrer as he was a member of the Nazi party, the film shows that he didnt really have any involvement with the party, and didn't seem too interested in the theories put forth by his country at the time. Besides, how can a man become friends with the gentlest people on earth and best friends with the human incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion if he is a man of hatred and racism?

The film also realistically shows the true brutal nature of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Scenes of cultural destruction and genocide show the tragedy that engulfed Tibet, and that still continues to this day.
The actor playing the young Dalai Lama also does a wonderful job, playing the part with convincing compassion, wisdom and youthful earnestness that made him into one of today's most respected leaders.

One of the best aspects of the film is it's photography and eye for detail. Spendid shots of mountains (although filmed in the Andes, it is uncanningly identical to Tibetan Himalaya.), mist shrouded valleys, and the grand Potala Palace that towers high above Lhasa, create a visually stunning film.

Respectful, visually stunning tribute to Tibetan culture
The only thing more beautiful than Brad Pitt in Jean-Jacques Annaud's low-key drama "Seven Years in Tibet" (1997) is the astonishing location photography (Argentina, Canada, Austria and the Himalayas standing in for Tibet), rendered in glorious Panavision widescreen by Robert Fraisse and preserved with stunning clarity on this eye-popping DVD. Pitt, every inch the blond Aryan god, plays real life explorer Heinrich Harrer (on whose book this film is based), an arrogant Nazi bully who ran from his wife's unhappy pregnancy to conquer the Himalayas toward the end of the 1930's. Stranded there by the outbreak of World War II, Harrer found his way to the forbidden city of Lhasa, where his unexpected friendship with the teenage Dalai Lama (played with great warmth and sincerity by non-actor Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk) curbed his ruthless streak and provided him with a fresh outloook on life, until he was forced to flee the country following the Chinese invasion.

Suffering from unfair comparisons with Martin Scorsese's "Kundun" (1997), which opened shortly afterward - both movies were denounced by mainland Chinese officials - Annaud's film evokes the splendors of a remote mountain community founded exclusively on Buddhist principles (in an amusing sequence, Pitt is asked to build a movie theater without killing the hundreds of worms uncovered by his workers' excavations). It may be a Hollywoodized vision, but it's also respectful and, in places, deeply moving ("Do you think someday people will look at Tibet on a movie screen and wonder what happened to us?" the Dalai Lama asks Pitt in one of the movie's most self-referential moments). When Chinese troops invade the Tibetan stronghold towards the end of the film, they display all the arrogance and hostility which had typified Harrer's behavior until he was transformed by the example of his gracious hosts. Distinguished by John Williams' majestic score (so much better than the tuneless dirge he provided for "Sleepers" the previous year), the film also features David Thewlis ("Naked") as Pitt's climbing partner, Lhakpa Tsamchoe as the beautiful woman who comes between them for a while, and B.D. Wong as a lowly Tibetan official whose vanity and cowardice prompts the downfall of his own culture.

Columbia Tristar's dual-sided DVD runs 135m 56s and features both a full-screen and widescreen (2.35:1, anamorphically enhanced) version - for maximum visual impact, try to see it on a 16:9 monitor. Released theatrically in a choice of Dolby Digital or SDDS, the disc's 5.1 Dolby track has plenty of energy where needed, but the sound mix is fairly subdued overall. There's also a 2.0 surround track, equally restrained. English captions and subtitles are included, but due to the film's length, no other extras have been provided, not even a trailer.

Ironic issue
The fact is simple that most of Americans know nothing about Tibet.

This country liberated itself from Britain but inherited many colonial scars from Britan as the Tibitan issue.

This country fought a civil war for slavery, but unconciously sympathetic to the ghost of the most notorious slavery society: Dalai Lama.

What an irony!

Pitt seems brighter than the Play Girl icon and religion-lost R. Gear, but his taking of this role appears culturely illiterate.

propaganda
This film is a kind of propaganda. Historycally and oviously, Tibet has been a part of China for a thousand years and Tibetean is one of Chinese group. Now Tibetian redidents create great culture and Chinese people respect them.

A White Silk Scarf
This is a story about a stubborn and arrogant man who needs to push his body to its absolute limits, but who dedicates very little of his energy to his soul or intellect. Let us remember that films owe no debt to the books or the reality on which they are based (read the book "Monster" by the late screenwriter and author John Gregory Dunne if you need to get that straight).

Brad Pitt is not too bad as Heinrich Harrer, but you may cringe occasionally at his Austrian accent. Let us remember that this film may not have been made at all without his interest and participation, and it wouldn't have been permitted the sort of budget that gave us the amazing landscapes which pervade the movie.

I suppose once they had their big star, casting went for the very finest actors they could find regardless of their status: therefore, we have two beautifully resonant performances by David Thewlis as Pitt's climbing companion and Lhapka Tsamchoe as the Love Interest.

Because this movie is about Heinrich Harrer, not the Dalai Lama, we ought not to whine about the time spent in the camp for enemy aliens (those were YEARS of his life) or the difficult scrabble to simply exist once he escaped. The shots of the Dalai Lama's early childhood are there not only to foreshadow the important role the Dalai Lama ultimately plays, but also to establish a link between the child who will befriend Harrer and the son who Harrer does not know.

The authenticity and detail of Tibetan life, dress, buildings, and so forth is rare and overwhelming. Even if it was staged, it is a good record of a lost time.

With respect to the Chinese invasion as it is filmed, let us recall what "virtues" were instilled in the Army of the People's Republic of China. If the soldiers behaved like "automatons" or "killing machines", that was precisely the point. Leaders rarely want their underlings to think for themselves, and in Communist China such an activity was a capital offense. I see no disregard of history.

Further praise to the screenwriter (Becky Johnston) who translated a good book into a good movie. The addition of a few good laugh lines and the general development of character was well done.

Heinrich Harrer is an interesting man and merits a movie about his life. Of course, the elements of living in Tibet and developing a friendship with the Dalai Lama are crucial to the interest. For my part, I've watched the movie several times not just for its other virtues, but because I get deliciously lost in the scenery. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Great Fun Movie
A fun movie whose portrayals are not to be taken seriously. There are many memorable scenes and lines. Jamie Foxx is at his best and for the most part, all the main characters do a good job.

The scene where Jamie Foxx and Vivica Fox are speaking Chinese in the restaurant is classic.

A great movie but the stereotypes are so over the top it sometimes feels like you're watching a cartoon.

This would be average...
This would be your average "brothas gotta git some" stereotypical comedy of errors (see "Two Can Play That Game") but Jamie Foxx, damn that man. He's one of the funniest comics alive today, and that's no exaggeration. I love the guy's shtick and the "Bunz" character, which is 100% Jamie Foxx, just makes this a fun romp. I've heard some complaints about the DVD release of this (which I don't own) so be forewarned, the DVD could be a load of rubbish. Don't buy the DVD! There, I've done my public service announcement. Now read the rest of my review.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure of watching this on VHS a few years back.

I honestly don't remember laughing so hard in my life. And 99% of the time I was laughing at Bunz. The other characters, Lysterine (Vivica A. Fox), Rashon (Tommy Davidson) and Nikki (Tamala Jones) are just window dressing. Foxx simply steals every scene he's in. With the exception of the angry lady scene and Bernie Mac's HILARIOUS cameo, oh, and of course, the blatantly stereotypical convenience store clerks, they are just there to act as foils for the impossibly funny Bunz. You know, instead of that big butt on the movie sleeve, they should have put Jamie Foxx's face on the cover. Anyway, minor spoilers ahead. These are my favorite scenes.

The Chinese restaurant! Bunz exchange with the waiter, Bunz speaking Chinese (he learned it from watching Kung Fu movies with...ah, I won't even spoil the joke!)

Bunz doing impressions spot on of William Shatner and Martin Luther King while er...you'll see!

Bottom line: Jamie Foxx is a genius. Don't mind the critics who pass this off as sophomoric. Well, of course it is! But like the editorial review says, it's funny. This will most likely become a cult classic now that Foxx's career is starting to really take off.

Extremely funny
This movie is SOOOOOO funny! You absolutely must see this film. Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson (alumni from "In Living Color") have a series of hilarious mishaps on the way to scoring with their girlfriends. Don't miss it!

This is it right here!!!
If your looking for a thoroughly entertaining comedy...look no further. Jamie Foxx...the man!!!!!!!! This movie made me laugh so much....it induced a asthma attack.
Funniest part in the movie - Jamie's accident with the glad wrap.......hilarious!!!

Perfect comedic chemistry lead by Jami Foxx
Comedy is context specific and thus culturally bound, however "Booty Call" taps into universal themes about differences between guys and gals in terms of "us" vs. "them." It's a hoot! I don't like any other movies that get lumped into the same category of "Booty Call" with young black men sworn to "Get Some," but the chemistry between the characters, lead by Jamie Foxx, is so perfect. I would have loved to watch them making this film--there must be some hysterical outakes. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because it's a little too preachy on the "safe sex" message. Besides that message it's a perfect laugh riot. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nick Chen (Chow Yun-Fat) is not your average New York cop. Working in Chinatown has its multifarious cultural nuances and its fair share of ubiquitous enticement, both of which are reflected indetective Chen's weary face. He had to get into bed with the highest echleons of the Chinese Mafia as a way of augmenting his own career, while maintaining a semblance of control over the dime-a-dozen hoods who proliferate on this turf. To make matters worse, he now has to break in rookie detective Danny Wallace (Mark Wahlberg), who has asked to be assigned to the Chinatown division. Apparently Wallace is infatuated with all things Chinese, or is suffering from "Yellow Fever," as his fellow colleagues would have us believe. Chen, not one to suffer fools gladly, takes young Wallace under his protective wing, oft-warning the shady powers of the neighborhood not to sink Danny into their sordid pool of corruption. But before he knows it, both he and Wallace are caught in a deadly ring of double-crosses, shady-dealings, murders, and car chases. And all of this under the suspicious eye of Internal Affairs.

Part Serpico and part Hard Boiled, this film seems at first to be a major departure from director James Foley's previous work. However, Foley has frequently revealed a keen eye and understanding for emotionally complex relationships, especially between teacher and pupil (Glengarry Glen Ross) or father and son (At Close Range). This movie is no different. In fact, Foley's meticulous attention to the relationship between the wise, morally burdened Chen, and the naïve, innocent Wallace morphs this otherwise tedious plot into a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Hats off to Chow Yun-Fat and Mark Wahlberg, whose sympathetic chemistry creates an authentic and deeply personal connection, a factor that proves crucial to the film's poignant, disturbing finale. --Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Too Long!
Despite bad reviews I enjoyed Chow Yun Fat in the Replacement Killers. It was not up to par with his John Woo stuff but I enjoyed it very much.

The Corrupter is Chow Yun Fat's second American film. He is perfectly cast as a shady New York City cop in China town. Mark Walhberg is also very good as his new partner. Another good performance was by Brian Cox as Walhberg's father.

The film has some great action parts. The film also does a great job contrasting Chinese and US culture. On many levels its a great film about cultural diffusion.

However, despite some great cultural exchanges, good actions scenes, and great acting the film in my opinion was not very good.

Its too long and by the last 20 minutes the story is dragging and dragging. I wanted to like this film very much, but the story itself and its collapse into boredom at the end sank this film for me.

This was a good effort but it failed to cross the finish line. It is worth a rental, but not too buy. You will not want to watch this film more than once.

Again, I really wanted to like this film and wish I could have.

DON'T EVER LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO LIKED THE REPLACEMENT KILLER
It makes me sick that "The replacement killers" gets praise. CHow yun fat is an actor, not just a suit with guns. The Corruptor, was an equal blend of this, good action sequences and a good story. Chow plays nick chen, a NY cop on the Asian Gang unit. newcomer Danny Wallace (Wahlberg), is put on the unit, to take down mobster henry lee before the local punk fukienese dragons gang puts him out of business. There are so many twists and turns in this film that i don't want to give anything away. I had high hopes for this film, after the replacement killers and it fulfilled them. It gave chow a chance to act (more than the 13 words he had in replacement killers), not just shoot (although it's nice). The ending of the film I found particularly well shot and acted. All in all a good showcase for chow's talents, and a worthy third rank under Serpico and prince of the city for movies about police corruption.

If all bad cops could be this good!
I loved the confrantation that Danny Wallace had with his dad about the contemplation of what to do about turning in his partner Nick Chen .. I won't spoil the quote you have to take it in context of the scenario of the movie. What an impact it made in my life that what I do in my life will be what I live with. I don't know if I over looked the goings on with Nick Chen because after all he was Yun-Fat Chow or that his over looking Uncle Benny's activities was some how a kindness to help May a lost drug addict and prostitute unable to escape her fate he tries to be more then a cop in her heart. The entire movie was tastefully done, story line excellant, directed in a way to make you laugh, cry, sit at the edge of you chair during those action scenes. Not to mention the sound track subpurbly done. I have had always found Yun-Fat Chow a believable actor in all rolls he portray; this movie he stole my heart (more then in Anna and the King).. the ending must be seen to appreciate how to me he was a good cop, with admiration to the writer in whatever message he wanted to leave you at the end. If you thought Mark Wahlberg was exceptional in this roll you should see him in The Perfect Storm and never thought he would play such a sicko in Fear but had me convinced. Lady's don't judge all men by what goes on in this movie but be wise to it's message of common sense. It always amazes me when an actor can play his/her complete opposite. I look forward to watching more of both of these great actors movies. Don't wait to buy THE CORRUPTOR should it go out of print you will regret it! Well I think so. Thanks for listening - Bye. Would welcome your comments too.

Wow!
I was really surprised by how good this movie is. I figured a straight-forward shoot-'em-up and some exotic intrigue was about all it would have going for it. The cover had the usual fatuous nonsense on it: "You can't play by the rules when there aren't any." Why is it 90% of video covers have a reformulation of the same stupid subtitle? Apparently there is some lucky guy out there is employed writing new, yet indistinguishable ways to either deny the existence of Rules/Boundaries/etc. or at least deny their applicability to some beautiful, well-armed people. Good for him.

Anyway, this movie definitely exceeded my expectations. Great direction, but most of all great performances from Chow-Yun Fat and Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg's relationship with his father was fairly cliched, yet it still came across as believable. The various moral predicaments of the two cops were just as interesting and well-done as the fight scenes. There is one major chase scene, which I found silly after a while, since it gave the impression that there were absolutely no other police cars within ten miles of some maniac with an Uzi blowing away civilians.

But that is a nothing criticism. Really, the only sore spot was the FBI goonish guy, who was both tiresome and one-dimensional in comparison with the other characters. But on the main, an excellent action-thriller. Chow-Yun Fat wasn't limited by John Woo's formula this time around, and his chops definitel show as a result.

Best Chow Yun-Fat film so far, EXCELLENT PLOT
This movie has excellent plot and is not one of those mindless John Woo action films. Acutally, it is the ONLY John Woo films that has a good plot in addition to the usual good actions. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Great Fun Movie
A fun movie whose portrayals are not to be taken seriously. There are many memorable scenes and lines. Jamie Foxx is at his best and for the most part, all the main characters do a good job.

The scene where Jamie Foxx and Vivica Fox are speaking Chinese in the restaurant is classic.

A great movie but the stereotypes are so over the top it sometimes feels like you're watching a cartoon.

This would be average...
This would be your average "brothas gotta git some" stereotypical comedy of errors (see "Two Can Play That Game") but Jamie Foxx, damn that man. He's one of the funniest comics alive today, and that's no exaggeration. I love the guy's shtick and the "Bunz" character, which is 100% Jamie Foxx, just makes this a fun romp. I've heard some complaints about the DVD release of this (which I don't own) so be forewarned, the DVD could be a load of rubbish. Don't buy the DVD! There, I've done my public service announcement. Now read the rest of my review.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure of watching this on VHS a few years back.

I honestly don't remember laughing so hard in my life. And 99% of the time I was laughing at Bunz. The other characters, Lysterine (Vivica A. Fox), Rashon (Tommy Davidson) and Nikki (Tamala Jones) are just window dressing. Foxx simply steals every scene he's in. With the exception of the angry lady scene and Bernie Mac's HILARIOUS cameo, oh, and of course, the blatantly stereotypical convenience store clerks, they are just there to act as foils for the impossibly funny Bunz. You know, instead of that big butt on the movie sleeve, they should have put Jamie Foxx's face on the cover. Anyway, minor spoilers ahead. These are my favorite scenes.

The Chinese restaurant! Bunz exchange with the waiter, Bunz speaking Chinese (he learned it from watching Kung Fu movies with...ah, I won't even spoil the joke!)

Bunz doing impressions spot on of William Shatner and Martin Luther King while er...you'll see!

Bottom line: Jamie Foxx is a genius. Don't mind the critics who pass this off as sophomoric. Well, of course it is! But like the editorial review says, it's funny. This will most likely become a cult classic now that Foxx's career is starting to really take off.

Extremely funny
This movie is SOOOOOO funny! You absolutely must see this film. Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson (alumni from "In Living Color") have a series of hilarious mishaps on the way to scoring with their girlfriends. Don't miss it!

This is it right here!!!
If your looking for a thoroughly entertaining comedy...look no further. Jamie Foxx...the man!!!!!!!! This movie made me laugh so much....it induced a asthma attack.
Funniest part in the movie - Jamie's accident with the glad wrap.......hilarious!!!

Perfect comedic chemistry lead by Jami Foxx
Comedy is context specific and thus culturally bound, however "Booty Call" taps into universal themes about differences between guys and gals in terms of "us" vs. "them." It's a hoot! I don't like any other movies that get lumped into the same category of "Booty Call" with young black men sworn to "Get Some," but the chemistry between the characters, lead by Jamie Foxx, is so perfect. I would have loved to watch them making this film--there must be some hysterical outakes. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because it's a little too preachy on the "safe sex" message. Besides that message it's a perfect laugh riot. ... Read more

Description

The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format. ... Read more

Reviews (166)

More Drama Than Action
This is the most serious film of Jet Li's that I've seen. Jet plays a Chinese cop in Paris trying to crack a drug ring only to discover that his French counterpart, Karyo, is the ringleader. Jet is framed for murder and goes on the lam, with the assistance of drug-addict prostitute, Bridget Fonda. Fonda knows that Karyo is dirty but he is holding her little girl as hostage. Li agrees to rescue the daughter if Fonda will testify. Karyo snatches the little girl before Li can reach her. But Li follows the Karyo to his headquaters, defeats everyone in the building and kills Karyo with the Kiss of the Dragon, an acupuncture point that shuts down the body.
The action is up to Jet's usual quality but not quantity.Lots of innocent standbys gets killed by the French cops. Li seems to focus more on his acting skills and dramatic interplay with Fonda. The dialogue is predictable but delivered with intensity. Li outdoes himself in this movie, acting-wise while Fonda is underutilized. She is a much better actress. Karyo plays a bad cop well. You want him to die.
There are some funny moments like when Li escapes from pursuing cops only to find himself in a dojo full of French blackbelts!! Of course, he whips all of them in a predictable but fun to watch sequence. When Li fights the two blondes is another funny sequence.
But overall , this is not a funny movie. It's dark and disturbing and shows a more mature dramatic side of Li.

WOW, a martial arts movie without wire-works
I decided to see this movie when it came out expecting to see what I saw in the usual Jet Li movies, wire-works (some of you kung-fu movie watchers know what I am talking about, but if you don't, wire-works is when the actor or stunt man is suspended in air or swinging on a cable performing unusual fighting moves). Wire-works are cute, but I do not like them because they are slow and take me away from the action most of the time. This movie HAS NO WIRE WORKS in the action sequences. I was so happy, finally a martial arts movie for the new millennium not caught into the new-old trend to hit Hollywood. The martial arts scenes are fast, rough, brutal, and are simply what Bruce Lee fans want to see. There was a fight scene Jet Li had in a dojo that reminded me of Chinese Connection a.k.a. "Fist of Fury".

The story was not bad; it was good for a martial arts action movie. Personally I would have made the movie a bit longer (like 10 or 20 minutes) to make sure people know exactly why things are going on. Its workable but would have been perfect with a little bit of information. The big one in the beginning such as the French investigator and the Chinese drug boss, the movie doesn't tell you their connection exactly but it's implied.

Li is an overly devoted cop, so he doesn't have much to work with until he meets Fonda's character, there his character is not just doing the job but being a character. Fonda's character used to be addicted to drugs and is a forced-to-be prostitute. So her reactions were pretty not bad for Fonda's acting and I thought she did a good job for her given character.

The score is done by Craig Armstrong (from Massive Attack), which is cool of techno/orchestra. Also there are some hip-hop songs thrown in two of the fight scenes. The one by Mystikal was bearable because of the drum beat (not a bass electronic beat) so it felt OK. Personally I don't like rap in fight scenes cause the talking (rapping) might take it away. I like rap in the background or to set a scene, not in a fight scene, unless it is instrumental.

Terrific Modern Action Movie
Kiss of the Dragon is a hyperactive martial arts movie with a heavy European feel. After Jet Li's fans were left disappointed with the fake, CGI-enhanced fighting in Romeo Must Die he decided to go back to practical, hand-to-hand combat with literally no strings attached. KOTD is the perfect excuse for action, with minimal plot and impossible odds.

Basically, Jet Li plays a Chinese cop Lui Jian who travels to Paris to help the police bring a crime boss to justice. But the French police just happen to be heavily, heavily corrupt and kill Mr. Big, framing Lui Jian in the process.

Keen to stay alive, Lui Jian flees the scene, but not before screaming, mad and completely hatstand police inspector Richard (Tcheky Caryo in his typically delirious role) sends just about every hardened police psycho after him. Outrageously outnumbered, Lui Jian prevails and fights his way through swarms and swarms of thugs out for his blood. Using only his hands and feet (and any useful nearby tool) he manages to wipe them all out.

Far-fetched it may be, but action choreographer Cory Yuen shoots it all in the most realistic and stylish way. You really will believe Lui Jian is capable of such an impossible feat, that's how realistic the action is. And all without glamorising guns.

KOTD uses the rule of increasingly mad set-pieces. The first desperate escape through the corridors and passageways of the hotel, the death-defying escape from the Seine Barge and through the tunnels and sewers, the orphanage confrontation and (especially) the final scene in the police station where Lui Jian takes on a dojo full of martial artist police officers, evil twins and finally Inspector Richard. It's all breathtaking stuff and very, very violent. With far too many sanitised PG-13 minded 'action' movies abundant these days KOTD is a breath of hardcore fresh air.

If you like this then I suggest checking out The Transporter. It may be slightly tamer but it's made by the same people (producer Luc Besson, Writer Robert Mark Kamen and Cory Yuen) and is also set in France, only with a warmer, more exotic look.

The DVD is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with a great Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. There are some extras and a commentary if you're into that sort of thing.

Jet Li kicks all
This movie is probably Li's best. The movie zips along after the scene where a Chinese drug dealer gets zapped by a whore, who gouges him with long knitting needles. Some of the movie was idiotic, especially the scene where Fonda has to urinate in Jet Li's shop, and where Li's Chinese contact gets shot. The plot basically centers around Jet Li getting framed for the murder of the Chinese drug dealer, and escaping throughout France, from the corrupt police chief and his gang of drug dealers. There is one spectacular scene where Li is in the police station, and destroys a group of 30 martial arts cadets who attack him with sticks and body moves. The ending is triumphant, Li demolishes two massive bleach blonde twins, in the most amazing show of kung fu yet. Tcheky Karyo as the police chief has a wonderful charm, and seethes with sinister trickery simultaneously.
Chris Mahon could have gotten a little more out of the relationship between Fonda and Li. They are more like the Honeymooners, always arguing and Fonda wise cracking. The scenes didn't connect. All in all, worth seeing for Jet Li fans.

Jet and Brenda don't match
Bad movie, bad story. If it were not for the few good action scenes, I would have given this a 1 star rating. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Seven Years in Tibet
If it hadn't been for Brad Pitt signing on to play the lead role of obsessive Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer, there's a good chance this lavish $70 million film would not have been made. It was one of two films from 1997 (the other being Martin Scorsese's exquisite Kundun) to view the turmoil between China and Tibet through the eyes of the young Dalai Lama. But with Pitt onboard, this adaptation of Harrer's acclaimed book focuses more on Harrer, a Nazi party member whose life was changed by his experiences in Tibet with the Dalai Lama. Having survived a treacherous climb on the challenging peak of Nanga Parbat and a stint in a British POW camp, Harrer and climbing guide Peter Aufschnaiter (nicely played by David Thewlis) arrive at the Tibetan city of Lhasa, where the 14-year-old Dalai Lama lives as ruler of Tibet. Their stay is longer than either could have expected (the "seven years" of the title), and their lives are forever transformed by their proximity to the Tibetan leader and the peaceful ways of the Buddhist people. China looms over the land as a constant invasive threat, but Seven Years in Tibet is more concerned with viewing Tibetan history through the eyes of a visitor. The film is filled with stunning images and delightful moments of discovery and soothing, lighthearted spirituality, and although he is somewhat miscast, Pitt brings the requisite integrity to his central role. What's missing here is a greater understanding of the young Dalai Lama and the culture of Tibet. Whereas Kundun tells its story purely from the Dalai Lama's point of view, Seven Years in Tibet is essentially an outsider's tale. The result is the feeling that only part of the story's been told here--or maybe just the wrong story. But Harrer's memoir is moving and heartfelt, and director Jean-Jacques Annaud has effectively captured both sincerity and splendor in this flawed but worthwhile film. --Jeff Shannon

Legends of the Fall
A box-office hit when released in 1994, this sprawling, frequently overwrought familial melodrama may get sillier as its plot progresses, but it's the kind of lusty, character-based epic that Hollywood should attempt more often. It's also an unabashedly flattering star vehicle for Brad Pitt as Tristan--the rebellious middle son of a fiercely independent Montana rancher and military veteran (Anthony Hopkins)--who is routinely at odds with his more responsible older brother, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and younger brother, Samuel (Henry Thomas). From the battlefields of World War I to his adventures as an oceangoing sailor, Tristan's life is full of personal torment, especially when he returns to Montana and finds himself competing with Alfred over Samuel's beautiful widow (Julia Ormond), whose passion for Tristan disrupts the already turbulent Ludlow clan. Under the wide-open canopy of Big Sky country, this operatic tale unfolds with all the bloodlust, tragedy, and scenery-chewing performances you'd expect to find in a hokey bestselling novel (in fact, it's based on the acclaimed novella by Jim Harrison), but it's a potent mix that's highly entertaining. Not surprisingly, John Toll won an Academy Award for his breathtaking outdoor cinematography. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Impressive Mini Series
This is a wonderful movie about an anchient chinese story. The Journey To The West is a book on a scholar that travels to a different world. The movie has great effects and the characters fill the standards of the book. If you love magic and adventure this movie is good. Also if you were interested in movies like: Merlin, 10th kingdom, and Arabian Nights this movie is just what your looking for.

The Goddess of Mercy
The Lost Empire / The Monkey King is a mini series that tells the story of Nicholas Orton (Thomas Gibson) who finds himself on a save-the-world mission. The plot itself is a bit difficult to follow - it is loosely inspired by 'Journey to the West'- the famous chinese epic. However in this version, it shows us what would happen if 'Journey to the West' had never existed. Demons are trying to destroy the book (for the simple reason of that's what evil demons do with their spare time) and the world is running backwards because of it, deleting all the things that 'Journey to the West' helped inspire (which includes buildings and clocks, strangely enough). So the Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Ying (Ling Bai) travels from her world to find the prophesied Scholar from Above - our own Nick Orton. He is 'above' because all of the mythological characters he later mets live in a copy of China in one of the (very, very, very large) unexcavated tombs, under the musuem. So with the help of Kwan Ying and the famous terracotta warriors that come to life, Nick finds himself inside the tomb/copy of mythological China, faced with the sacastic Monkey King (Russell Wong) who was been trapped inside a mountain by those same demons that are out to destroy 'Journey to the West'.
As you can see, the premise is quite confusing, so if you like to sit down and get a nice, logical plot, you might want to give this one a miss, as our heroes do a lot of wandering around and your not actually sure where they're going or why.
However, if you are a fan of other Hallmark fantasy mini-series (the Magical Legend of the Leprechauns, Merlin, Arabian Nights, the 10th Kingdom, the Voyage of the Unicorn) then this is the movie for you. Like the others it boasts great special effects, great set-designs and Kwan Ying and her consort Whitesnake wear the most beautiful outfits I've seen. The lovely Ling Bai is perfectly cast as the Goddess of Mercy, and the scenes that take place in the home of the gods are wonderful. Nick and his reluctant teacher the Monkey King are good too, and get some good one-liners, and their allies Pigsy and Friar Sand should appeal to kids. The romance between Nick and Kwan Ying is nothing new, but still enjoyable to watch, and the carefully choreographed martial-art sequences are amazing.
If you are a Chinese-historian or a purist of any kind, I advise you to steer clear, as I'm sure Confucius wasn't an annoying, back-stabbing traiter as he is portrayed here, but everyone else should just sit down and enjoy the ride without being picky.

Offensive...
is exactly how this movie is to be described. I would suggest that any Chinese/Asians living anywhere in the world to avoid this movie at all cost. "Journey to the West" is a very religious story about a Buddhist monk traveling to the West to obtain the true scriptures of Buddhism... along the way, he met diciples to protect him until he gets there.

As someone has already pointed out, Quan Yin is a Buddhishiva of compassion. Buddhists don't have romantic affairs, eat meat, or drink alcohol. It's like showing a Jewish Rabbi eating pork on Friday night. It's disrespectful and sickening. I can't believe people make this kind of crap and take what is a masterpiece and trample all over it. Isn't anything sacred anymore?

What a waste of time...
Recently there has been a surge of interest in "fantasy" type films. With the huge success of "Lord of the Rings," I belive, people are exploring other movies, similar in nature. Well, if you're an adult and you're getting reacquainted with the fantasy genre, this is one to MISS. Ignore it. Keep on walking. Its really just for kids, at best. The story is predictable and it repeats itself, hour past hour. The special effects are good enough for Saturnday morning t.v. but that's about it. I suggest you look at "Arabian Nights" instead.

Racist travesty of an epic story
"Journey to the West" is a literary masterpiece which has been loved in China for nearly half a millennium. In contrast, "The Lost Empire" is a piece of meretricious rubbish which will hopefully soon be consigned to oblivion. Its makers seem to assume, rightly or wrongly, that its audience will be unable to relate to a "foreign" story unless a white guy is inserted, however incongruously, into the action. As if this were not bad enough, the idea of the "hero" comducting a romantic affair with Kuan Yin must be deeply offensive to many people of Chinese extraction. Since Kuan Yin is someimes compared, in her role as compassionate mediator, to the Virgin Mary, one can only imagine the response had the situation been reversed. This is an example