Kiss of the Dragon, excellent martial arts movie with lots of extras

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When I saw this movie in it's original release last year I knew I'd have to own a DVD copy, and the wait was well worth it! The film actually looks and sounds better than my recollections. Kiss of the Dragon couldn't be more international in scope: it's star is Chinese (Jet Li), it's main actress is American (Bridget Fonda), it's producer is French (Luc Besson) as is it's Director (Chris Nahon). The movie is filmed in France with a fast-paced American action film style and it works very well indeed.
This fish-out-of-water story is quite simple and may even seem a bit routine to those familiar with the action genre (i.e., it has tried and true elements such as the set-up cop, the abused hooker with a heart of gold, the corrupt police commander involved in drug smuggling), but ...and I do mean BUT, I've never seen it done better or handled with more respect for the audience than in this film. There are few, if any, logic flaws and even when something threatens to be over the top plausibility-wise as is often the tendency in French films (i.e., especially those productions involving Luc Besson) it's quickly reined in by Director Nahon. Very impressive is the fact that the story opens rather matter-of-factly, without a prologue, set-up or other audience pandering convention.
The filming is well paced, fast and furious. Nahon's tightly cut shots manage to capture almost all of Li's moves with only the very rare use of slo-mo (i.e., slow motion effects are often pretencious and terribly over utilized in most action and dramatic films; in martial arts such effects slow the pace and detract from the impressiveness of stunts attempted). There is only one CGI shot employed in the whole movie, Jet Li did all of his own stunts (many quite dangerous) and while the action is correographed it's quite apparent that Mr. Li is just as competant in his martial arts techniques in reality.
Supplemental material includes a great little making of documentary and superb interview with the personable Li who's surprisingly much friendlier and even more down to earth than the highly likeable Jackie Chan. In a couple of segments the staging of choreography is shown. There's also a commentary track with the two stars and Director which should be interesting and fun.
Perhaps this seems like a lot of attention to give to a modest action film just released on DVD, but as entertainment goes (reprising a funny line that was used to promote action movies on one of the cable networks years ago), "it ain't Bergman, but things blow up!"
Cheers,
AuPh

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Topic - Kiss of the Dragon, excellent martial arts movie with lots of extras - Audiophilander 08:29:10 01/28/02 (6)

Hmmm, what is missing from this list: Paris, Police Force, and Burt Kwouk answering the telephone? - TAFKA Steve 12:51:25 01/28/02 (5)

WOW! It must've been the "Joe Dirt" crowd. - Audiophilander 15:34:18 01/28/02 (4)

Columbus is a college town. - TAFKA Steve 16:06:58 01/28/02 (1)

Well, okay! Given those circumstances I can understand folks in the audience venting. :o) - Audiophilander 17:07:05 01/28/02 (0)

same here - Joe Murphy Jr 15:48:44 01/28/02 (1)

That's great! - Audiophilander 17:10:52 01/28/02 (0)

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