Review of Kiss of the Dragon (2001) by Michael V — 25 Nov 2011

This is a fantastic martial arts action flick. Barely any CGI or wire work was used here. In fact the big fight scene in the end between Jet Li and Cyril Raffaelli had to be slowed down because the camera couldn't capture the action it was going so fast.

Jet Li is wonderful in his subtle ways. You don't get that over done cliche being driven by some emotionally haunting past, like the death of a wife and child, as is so typical in super-cop action films.

In fact, we get just the opposite; a man who simply loves his job and does it very well, but is still human enough to make mistakes, and feel pain. Tcheky Karyo who always plays a great villain. Always with a great deal of intelligence combined with menace.

One of the best death scenes in action history as well. And Bridget Fonda stands around looking pretty in a whorey way. What really stands out in this film is the way the fight sequences flow with the rest of the story, unlike so many other movies that seem to be constructed around a few preconceived action scenes.

It's a martial arts action film done right. Thanks to the superb direction of Chris Nahon, Kiss of the Dragon is classy, well paced and gives us a near perfect blend of drama and levity. And look Luc Besson as a writer.

If his name is on a movie you'll be in for a fun action ride. Usually in Paris too.