Directed by:
Chris NahonCinematography:
Thierry ArbogastComposer:
Craig ArmstrongCast:
Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tchéky Karyo, Ric Young, Burt Kwouk, Max Ryan, Cyril Raffaelli, Vincent Wong, Taïra, Ludovic Berthillot, Frédéric Moulin (more)Plots(1)
Martial arts genius Jet Li explodes onto the screen with a smouldering intensity not seen since Bruce Lee. Portraying China's top government agent Liu Jiuan, he travels to Paris, a city completely alien to him, to uncover an international drug conspiracy. Along the way, he befriends the beautiful and sensuous Jessica (Bridget Fonda), forced into prostitution and heroin addiction by a corrupt French inspector. (20th Century Fox AU)
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Reviews (4)
I enjoyed the storyline of the Chinese secret agent way more, which made it that much harder to crash to the ground when Bridget Fonda took over the reins. The excessive emotions, unfulfilled action sequences, and zero suspense are partially redeemed by the surprisingly well-graduated finale, but ten minutes of fantastic action don't outweigh the rest of the suffering.
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The first good film Jet Li made in the West. The usually excellent Karyo overacts shamefully, but that, somewhat paradoxically, actually saves the film.
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A pretty pleasant surprise. It may be a B-movie, but it doesn't pretend to be anything profound, it's got pace and momentum and most importantly, Jet Li pulls no punches and evokes the old Bruce-Lee days in the final battle against a group of trainees. He even tries to act within his capabilities. Tcheky Karyo is a charismatic villain as he should be, and Bridget Fonda plays it like a dream. If Luc Besson's production workshop only churned out these kind of lighthearted films, I wouldn't have the slightest objection.
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Jet Li knows how to move incredibly well without tons of digital effects and various crutches and accelerators, which we have seen enough of in his films. Fortunately, Kiss of the Dragon has a European touch and it's bloody obvious. From the action style to the choice of locations (Paris), it has everything that a proper action movie should have: an amazing villain, a likeable beauty, a proper hero, and above all, thrilling action that is truly abundant and excellently shot; lively, fierce, and uncompromising. As far as quick and simple action films go, it's fantastic entertainment.
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