Review of The One (2001) by Daniel K — 14 Jul 2010

Once again, I simply cannot understand the negativity towards this film. It honestly seems to me that people hold movies starring people like Jackie Chan or Jet Li to different standards, than, say, garbage like Kill Bill. To me, personally, Kill Bill has a "paper thin" plot, though it's obviously done on purpose, and the overall cohesion of the film and fighting scenes, is largely one big "hip" mess.

The One, on the other hand, I have always thought was extremely well done, and to this day is probably my second favorite Jet Li film. I've heard from several people that they felt it was too short, but I really don't see how it being any longer could have benefited the film at all. It gets done what it needs to, within the time it has, and at it's current length, the plot flows rather nicely.

Moreover though, is that while the plot certainly isn't an "Oscar worthy" drama affair, I'm still to this day not sure why so many people seem to expect action films to have such plots. It's certainly better than 90% of your generic action flicks, and the premise of parallel universes and selves, is very interesting. Especially the concept of stealing the energy of your other selves, and becoming, in essence, a god.

I certainly don't recall another film offhand that uses even a remotely similar plot, and I think this movie carries it off rather well. Jet Li and his co-stars do a good job, acting wise, especially Delroy Lindo.

But I really don't understand the "Jet Li's martial arts ability is buried under the 'Matrix' like special effects" criticism at all. I always felt the special effects presented his abilities in a new and different way, and besides, they do a good job of conveying how superhumanly strong and fast Yu Law has become.

Overall, this is probably one of my favorite action/martial arts films of all time, right up there with The Forbidden Kingdom, Enter the Dragon, Bloodsport, Best of the Best, Mortal Kombat, The Protector, etc.