Top Box Office Movies - Kiss of the Dragon

Kiss of the Dragon (2001) 20th Century Fox Pictures
1 hr. 38 mins.
Starring: Jet Li, Bridget Fonda and Tcheky Karyo.
Directed by: Chris Nohan

Kiss of the Dragon

Rating:

E-MAIL GIANCARLO DE LISI

Photo: 20th Century Fox

The genre of the action film is to many the most appealing of films. Furthermore, the action film is not as common as the drama of the comedy simply because they are costly and require bigger production values. I have for long been a fan of International superstar Jet Li and his exquisite films overseas. Yet, now that admiration has grown to loathing as his American films simply seem to be regress as one becomes more appalling than the other. My hypothesis on the introductory sentences relates to the fact that perhaps action films are somewhat rare some due to the absence of intelligent and realistic scripts that place our characters in interesting and adventurous situations.

Such was the case thought Jet Li when he decided to star and write ‘Kiss of the Dragon’. The only problem was, his script gets caught in the pitfalls of the same exact problems encountered previously. Produced by French filmmaker Luc Besson, it is merely an exercise in bad screenwriting, bad dialogue and over-the-top action sequences that aim to be exciting but simply deliver a mild tease with no pay off. Villains appear and disappear only to get entertained by the beating Jet Li’s character ‘John’ (don’t ask); a Chinese Intelligence officer who is framed for murder in Paris gives them.

Jet Li’s story is ambitious at first, but takes a while to pick up and as it fastens the pace, the film relinquishes itself by inserting a horrible subplot about the witness who was at the scene and who wants to get her daughter back. Some advocates of the film might say that this subplot might add a humanistic touch. I say this slows down an action thriller that does not thrill nor deliver great action.

The film contains a simplistic feel by first time Director Chris Nohan; Luc Besson’s producing values seem obsolete as he probably took a cash pay-off in order to attach his name to this dismal project. The acting is worth a look simply for its’ caricatures of villains and their evil intentions. Actor Tcheky Karyo who has made a living off of playing diverse and interesting characters (The Patriot, Bad Boys) demotes himself as he plays a developed yet over zealous crooked French Official who indulges himself in his work through violence.

It might as well be said that this film is by far a failure because of the possibilities that could have been. Also, on an interesting note, what devalues this film is the addition to the cast of Bridget Fonda (Jessica) as the witness who happens to be a strung out prostitute who develops a relationship with John in her quest for salvation and her child. Wasn’t she a promising actress once, who seemed to have potential? This relationship causes the to take a dive midway due to an extensive development of these two characters that is supposed to make the audience sympathize with these two characters. Yet, the only reaction this causes is the audience wishing the scene would just end and Jet Li would resume his sporadic attacks with martial mayhem as he destroys everything in his way.

Director Chris Nohan wants and attempts to make his villain and hero larger than life yet fails miserably. There is no tension captured on screen and simply but – the plot is just horrible. The action sequences are quite vivid but that is simply because Nohan took a camera to the sequences and let Li do ‘his thing’. Surely there was storyboarding and choreography involved, yet the effort is not conveyed on screen. If I am being harsh on this film, I should be. Talent such as Jet Li can excite and drive audiences with the right script and the right context. Unfortunately, this film fails on all levels and simply drags and never wants to end.

Click here to comment on this review or post your own thoughts.

Giancarlo De Lisi
© TheWorldJournal.com

<![if lt IE 4]> <script src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329;type=js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329"> <img src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve.ibs/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329;type=img" border="0" height="600" width="120" alt=""></a> </noscript><![endif]>

Top Box Office Movies © TheWorldJournal.com, All rights reserved. Student News Network For the best advertising rates at TheWorldJournal.com (120x600 - new banner format by the Interactive Advertising Bureau), click here. Back to top	e-mail: info@theworldjournal.com sales: sales@theworldjournal.com