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When writing a review about a martial art film, one has to
remember that these movies are not remembered for their excellent
story and plot. They
are remembered by how many realistic fight scenes it has. Now, on
to the review.
“Kiss
of the Dragon” is not a about a dragon who goes around kissing
people, it's about a guy by the name of Liu Jian (Jet Li) who
comes to France to work with a policeman named Jean-Pierre
Richard, played by Tchéky Karyo. Richard
turns out to be a bad cop and sets up Jian in the beginning of the
film. Jian is forced
to run, and defend himself against the bad guys. Jian
is staying at his Uncle’s shop, and meets Jessica (Bridget
Fonda), a prostitute who has claimed the area outside the shop. Jessica's
life is really bad. She
didn't choose to be who is she is, Richard forced her into it, and
sent her child to an orphanage. The
movie ends with Jian killing the bad guys, rescuing the kid, and
getting Jessica off the streets. Remember
what I said about the plots in these movies?
The fight scenes on the most part were realistic. Yes, some of them had some matrix-like effects, like, the one
involving a billiard ball, but Li kicks some serious ass in this
movie. I came into
the movie expecting to see action, and that's what I got. The
one thing I would have done better (besides write a better plot)
is to give Bridget Fonda more screen time. She
is really good (it's gotta be genetics) when she has it, but she's
not on screen enough. I
know that Li is the hero, but did they have to make Jessica be so
helpless. Give her
some backbone!
This movie gets 3
pops because the fight sequences were done well, but the plot was
shaky. Martial Art's movies with both of those aspects working
perfectly get the highest rating or 4 pops. “Enter
the Dragon” with Bruce Lee is a good example of one such movie. So,
if you like watching a good fight, this is for you (and you “AI”
haters won't have to think, so you should like it too).
-- James
( 3 out of 4 pops )
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