"Kiss of the Dragon"
"Kiss of the Dragon" doesn't have much of a plot, it's basically all
action. It revolves around the top cop in China, Liu Jian (Jet Li), who's
been sent to Paris to investigate drug-trafficking involving a high level
official, but quickly finds himself a suspect in a murder. He is framed
by
the lead investigator Inspector Jean Pierre Richard (Tcheky Karyo), who is
playing both sides with the French and the Chinese. Liu has proof of his
innocence and during the search for "the real killers" he accidentally
becomes involved with Jessica (Bridget Fonda), a Mid-western farmgirl
brought to Paris by Richard, who keeps her addicted to drugs and on the
street as a hooker.
You would think that there is some attraction between Jessica the monotone Liu Juan, but the chemistry just isn't there. The
script tries to suggest and even leaves the possibility open of something deeper, but it just doesn't happen. Richard truly
gives off a sinister air and Bridget Fonda does a very good job in this film. Possibly one of her best yet, too bad her
leading man couldn't match her acting ability. But that's OK, because the action is what carries this film. There are some
great acrobatic fighting scenes, my favorite being the attack with a billiards ball.
Now, I could say this movie plays out like a porno...good action scenes, but you gotta sit through the dialogue and plot to
get to it. There are some really stupid things that happen in the film,
like the shootings in the streets and other public
places, where no one seems to call the police afterward...no questions...no investigation. When Richard's thugs find Liu Jian
they say that he's in "a restaurant", but don't specify which one. However, the posse just happens to know where to go.
Remember, Paris is a major city; there are restaurants aplenty there. Also, Jet Li is supposed to be a martial arts master
and cop, but yet his preferred weapons of choice are these little acupuncture needles.
I love martial arts action movies, but "Kiss of the Dragon" is just one step up from a B movie. Don't go looking for a story
line that will captivate and entrance you. This is not "Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon", but still, it entertains. Good soundtrack too.
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale: C
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale Values:
A = movie tickets and popcorn for 2 (about $40)
B = buy the DVD when it comes out ($25)
C = rent it
D = wait for it to be on cable/pay TV
E = wait for it to be on regular TV
Kiss of the Czarina
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