BootDigest
Such a frustrating disappointment
Kien Navarro
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Ezmae Chang
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
Leofwine_draca
In the five years since Jean-Claude Van Damme kicked criminal backside in the streets of Paris in the intense MAXIMUM RISK, Western newcomer Jet Li (an established martial arts actor in China and beyond for the last twenty years, only now gaining western recognition) is back and doing much the same thing, although with even more style. Unlike Li's recent bomb THE ONE, KISS OF THE DRAGON is an action thriller par excellence, blessed with an extremely good pacing and level of suspense, some intriguing and surprisingly well-developed characters and a plot which mixes tense thriller antics with some very nice martial arts action. The film begins with a major set piece, as Li finds himself framed for a gruesome murder involving a Chinese drug lord and a drug-fuelled prostitute, and must battle a legion of corrupt policemen in the claustrophobic confines of an upper-crust hotel. The action is fast and furious, incorporating an excellent use of props with a steam iron, a laundry chute, and even a snooker ball coming into play during the stylish proceedings! From here on the film slows down a notch, taking care to develop the characters and especially Jet Li's cop. Li - in much the same way as an early-era Steven Seagal - exudes a brooding menace and level of bubbling violence even when he doesn't speak, and when he does get to act he does so with conviction, subtlety and skill. Li is superbly supported by Bridget Fonda, giving her finest performance to date as a tragic prostitute, hooked on heroin by the corrupt Inspector Richard, and forced to sell her body due to her daughter's incarceration by the evil mastermind.It's also good to see old-timer Burt Kwouk turning up in a non-comedic supporting role, even if all he does is spout a few words of wisdom. Also on hand is Tcheky Karyo, playing the most deranged cop since Gary Oldman in LEON (it comes as no surprise that Luc Besson also produced this movie), a criminal you love to hate who gets his just desserts come the finale, which involves the forbidden "Kiss of the Dragon". As a novel touch, the film sees Li carrying a bracelet full of needles, which he can place into people's necks in a second and paralyse them, or much worse as we eventually see during the climax.The film is well-shot throughout and makes great use of the Parisian locations, which are as always aesthetically pleasing despite focusing on the dark underbelly of the capital (this may be a reason that American thrillers set in Paris almost always turn out to be good) and the script is intelligent for a change and has realistic dialogue. First-time director Chris Nahon proves to be surprisingly adept at his job and the level of excitement in the film never lets up, even during some lengthy dialogue scenes between Li and Fonda, as they are handled poignantly and with finesse, thus developing a level of chemistry between the stars which is rarely seen in this genre - and thankfully they don't ruin things by having the two leads jumping into the sack at the first available opportunity.The action sequences are inserted well into the flow of the plot and the only flaw is the editing, which is sometimes so quick that you can't clearly see what's going on (then again, if a multi-million pound blockbuster like THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING can make the same mistake, I can forgive this film too). A steady amount of firepower is used in the movie, with huge machine-guns and grenade-launchers ripping up the scenery and shredding extras; it may not always be realistic for this to happen, but it makes for great spectacle. The film doesn't skimp on the violence either, with the fights being invariably bloody and gruesome, including a sick but funny gag involving a pair of legs, neck-breakings and more. Don't even get me started on the hilariously disgusting climax, either, in which Karyo's character undergoes one of the most painful deaths imaginable.As for the martial arts, they are superb and rightly so, considering Li's ability. My favourite is probably the moment when he takes on a class of black-belts which offers impossibly fast stick fighting and tons of excitement. Other highlights include the amusing one-on-one with the muscular black guy (who just happens by to show up and fight Li) and the excellent two-on-one at the end in which Li fights a pair of huge blond twins in an office and teaches them both a nasty lesson. KISS OF THE DRAGON is not just a good film; it's a great one, and one which reaffirms my faith in film getting things right occasionally. Highly recommended.
Python Hyena
Kiss of the Dragon (2001): Dir: Chris Nahon / Cast: Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tcheky Karyo, Max Ryan, Ric Young: Action film that uses violence to justify crime. Title regards a poisonous dart that Jet Li uses on attackers to paralyze and kill them. While undercover in Paris he witnesses a murder that he is framed for. His only alibi is a prostitute who is forced to take drugs and forbidden to see her daughter. Li takes pity on her and mops up the floor with dozens of faceless villains leading to a disgusting climax. Director Chris Nahon is basically filming a series of stupid fights that he could have gotten cheaper at a bar on drunk night. Li is there to fight and kick the living hell out of as many bad guys as possible. Perhaps he is going for the world record of most idiots beat up within the shortest time frame. Bridget Fonda is there to sink her career. It is obvious that she is attempting to distinguish herself from her acting family, which is fine, but this is not the film to do it and neither was Lake Placid or Monkey Bone. Tcheky Karyo plays the boring crooked investigator villain whose defeat isn't as satisfying as we are suppose to believe. Other roles are about as broad as any household appliances that get destroyed throughout this mindless junk. It is just justified revenge just for the thrill of exploiting violence. This film should be sliced and diced with a butcher knife. Score: 1 / 10
Vincent Enoch
With writing credits such as Taken, The Fifth Element and Leon under his belt, you can be pretty sure that with Luc Besson's name attached to it; you're in pretty safe hands.Critics have been rather harsh on Director Chris Nahon's feature debut, but this really is worth a watch or seven.Let's start with the basic plot (however far fetched it may be):We're set in Paris with our Hero Liu Jian (who cares what his name is, we all know we'll refer to him by nothing other than Jet Li) who's come all the way from Beijing to help apprehend a notorious drug lord and his French asset. We learn quickly that the asset is the French Inspector that Jet Li is supposed to be there to help, and Jet is subsequently betrayed and marked for death. From here on we get what we came for: First-rate martial arts kick-assness!!The action is what really makes this film worth watching. In most cases that would be a bad thing, making it an empty and pointless flick, with the action over the top and often boring. Here however, the action and violence (in abundance) is tastefully and creatively executed, whist being supported by a rather dark and character-driven story. As well as a fine performance from Bridget Fonda who does well with what little she's given in the way of a character. The villains are very cartoony, but this only adds to the fun of this movieIt has it's problems, but there's enough here to distract you and leave you thoroughly entertained. What more do you need in such a film? - Vinnie
oneguyrambling
Look the back of the KOTD DVD cover might sound the same as a million cheap martial arts B flicks: Jet Li is a Chinese Secret Service agent, when sold out and betrayed by his French allies and framed for a crime he didn't commit he goes underground, only returning to clear his name and defend the honour of a poor unfortunate prostitute with a heart of gold whose daughter is being held hostage by the evil French Police Chief who terrorises them both.… and in reality it pretty much is the same. But KOTD is different, different in that it has no less than 5 scenes that could rightfully called classics. So rather than go through the standard *yawn* plot and say what a good guy Jet is and how hard done by Bridget Fonda is as the hooker, I'll explain why you REALLY NEED to see this movie if you are even a passing fan of martial arts flicks.Reason # 1: Jet – nicknamed Johnny in the film – objects to some nasty stuff the corrupt French cops are doing… they decide to kill and frame him in that order. The ensuing flight, pursuit and ongoing battle makes the film worthwhile and we're only 15 odd minutes in.With much more to come.Reason # 2: Now on the lam Johnny organises a secret rendezvouz with a friend and countryman to devise an escape plan. Obviously this goes awry and there is a desperate fight on a ferry that goes for a few minutes. A similar scene might be the highlight of many modern day martial arts films, in KOTD it is the least special.Reason # 3: Johnny is lying low while he recovers from the wounds sustained – so far. After standing up for Fonda's hooker character a sh*tstorm erupts when her pimp and associated nefarious dudes step in. The best part of this fight is a great standoff between Johnny and a towering muscular black guy, but the bit you'll remember most is how Johnny is able to finish the fight with a set of chopsticks.Reason # 4: That's three classic fights in one film, you still need more reasons?? OK then. Johnny embarks on a brief rescue mission, taking on two similar looking and equally formidable foes in the process. The fight is great and the concluding move especially cool, but this is merely a brief prelude to… Reason # 5: Johnny decides to stop all this running stuff and confronts his problem head on, by walking into the French Police HQ and taking down everyone – and I mean EVERYONE – in one scene he accidentally gatecrashes a martial arts training session and gives the students an impromptu lesson in just how far they all have to go… all at once.Reason # 6: While the Kiss of the Dragon element is a little hokey (not to be spoiled here), the implementation of the move itself is extremely memorable and immensely satisfying. While he doesn't get his own "reason" the lead bad guy – an over the top and incredibly shady cop named Richard – deserves everything that he gets, and he is easily one of the more reprehensible bad guys in recent cinema.Kiss of the Dragon was my first DVD purchase, bought months before I actually had a DVD player. Most martial arts films aim for one or two scenes that might warrant a "classic" description. This film has no less than 5.Final Rating – 9 / 10. Awesome stuff that makes me struggle with the reality that Jet Li decided that films like The One, Romeo Must Die and Cradle 2 the Grave were where he belonged.
