Plot: What’s it about?
Liu Jian (Jet Li) is China’s most skilled intelligence officer and above his other abilities, his honor is the strongest one he possesses. So when he ventures to Paris to assist in the capture of an Asian crime figure, he expects it to be a quick & painless process, but he has no idea what awaits him. The man in charge of the case is French Inspector Richard (Tcheky Karyo) and right from the start, Liu has uncertain feelings about him, as the man won’t even use Liu’s real name, instead insisting to call him John. The bust is to happen when two prostitutes enter the man’s hotel room, but one girl (Bridget Fonda) retires to the bathroom and the other girl begins to murder the man, so Liu leaps into action and tries to save the suspect. The French authorities don’t act as quickly and once they do take action, it is to shoot the suspect and the hooker, then begin the work on framing Liu for their deaths. Liu manages to escape with a security tape than can clear his name, but can he remain alive with the entire French police force on his trail?
I had some reservations about Kiss of Dragon, but once I left the theater, those doubts were erased, as this is one very cool motion picture. Jet Li is unleashed in fine form and is also given more than ample screen time, so this is his movie, without a doubt. The action scenes are well done and since he is being pursued by pretty much everyone, the sense of doom and tension is superb, which adds a lot to the entertainment value, of course. Those action sequences were directed by Cory Yuen (Fong Sai-Yuk, The New Legend of Shaolin), who has helmed a number of excellent action films in Asia, while first time director Chris Nahon handled the more traditional scenes. The story here is better than expected, though holes can still be found, but the flaws never hinder the flow of the film, even for a second. The visuals are impressive and Paris is shown in a way that it isn’t often seen in, which is cool also. If you’re an action fan, then I highly recommend Kiss of the Dragon, especially since Fox has issued this terrific disc.
While not a total return to form for martial arts superstar Jet Li, I do think Kiss of the Dragon is a large step in the right direction. Li takes a harder edge in this film and while he is a likable person here, he is all business and that’s how we’re used to seeing him. He still has some terrific lines and all, but he speaks with his fists and in a most welcome turn, the filmmakers allowed him to remain true to his character’s roots. Yes, he does begin to care more for others as time passes, but he stays behind a certain line and that was a very wise choice. As per usual, Li supplies a wealth of memorable action scenes and mixes weapons (often unconventional ones) into his routine at times, as well as his fists, feet, and head. Other films with Li include Fist of Legend, My Father is a Hero, Romeo Must Die, The One, and Bodyguard from Beijing. The cast also includes Bridget Fonda (Single White Female, A Simple Plan), Tcheky Karyo (The Patriot, Goldeneye), and Ric Young (The Corruptor, Chain of Command).
Video: How does it look?
Kiss of the Dragon is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. As we’ve come to expect from a Fox day & date release, this transfer is superb and while not flawless, it should thrill fans. The print looks clean and shows no real errors, even in the darkest of scenes display no grain, quite impressive work. The colors seem bold and vivid also, except when they’re toned down for visual reasons, so no worries on that end. I also saw no issues with the contrast, as black levels look stark and provide ample detail at all times. A few very minor complaints keep the score from being perfect, but I doubt anyone will be let down here.
Audio: How does it sound?
As expected, the included Dolby Digital 5.1 track is explosive and rest assured, your speakers will be put through the paces here. Of course, the chase & fight sequences pack the most punch, with a nice assault on the ears, but even the calmer scenes have a solid presence. So whether the fists are flying or the plot is unfolding, the audio remains at a high level of depth and that enhances the experience more than a little. No errors with the dialogue either, as vocals seemed clean and clear from start to finish. This disc also includes 2.0 surround options in English and Spanish, as well as optional English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc has a nice selection of extras, including a number of featurettes, each with a different focus point. You’ll find an eleven minute piece on Jet Li, an eight minute featurette on Cory Yuen, a brief montage of fight scenes as they were filmed, and a general behind the scenes featurette that runs just under five minutes. I am not too pleased with how brisk these pieces are, but when combined, they could form a decent, though still lacking look behind the scenes of Kiss of the Dragon. You can also check out two martial arts demos, where we can see how a couple of sequences were created for the police gym fight scene. I was quite pleased to see these included, as you can see how these complex fights are broken down, honed, and then turned into the masterpieces we see on screen. The main attraction however is an audio commentary track, which features director Chris Nahon, as well as stars Jet Li and Bridget Fonda. All three participants have a lot to say and seem relaxed & candid, though Li is a little apprehensive at times. Even so, the track is packed with cool tidbits and stories, with minimal silent spots to report, so I think it is a more than worthwhile session. This disc also includes two storyboard sequences, some action stills, six television spots, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
