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)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Liu Jian (Jet Li) is a Chinese government agent who has been sent to France to assist in the arrest of a Chinese heroin smuggler. But when he arrives he is framed for murder by corrupt French police detective Jean-Pierre Richard (Tchéky Karyo) and forced to go on the run in a bid to prove his innocence. When he meets Jessica (Bridget Fonda), a prostitute whose daughter Isabel is being held captive by Richard, Liu offers to get Isabel back if Jessica will help expose Richard's corruption. Jessica agrees and much martial arts mayhem follows. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
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Reviews (4)
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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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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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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