Black Mask (1997)

50% of critics liked it
(28 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(21,610 ratings)

Martial arts star Jet Li donned a black hat and mask to portray a comic book superhero in this pulp action tale that gets the full-blown Hong Kong treatment from choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, who later designed the fight scenes for The Matrix (1999). Li stars as Tsui Chik, leader of Squad 701, an… More Martial arts star Jet Li donned a black hat and mask to portray a comic book superhero in this pulp action tale that gets the full-blown Hong Kong treatment from choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, who later designed the fight scenes for The Matrix (1999). Li stars as Tsui Chik, leader of Squad 701, an elite commando team of genetically-engineered super-soldiers. When the unit was deemed a failure because of mental instability in some of the test subjects, the project was disbanded. Tsui now lives quietly in Hong Kong, masquerading as a shy librarian whose only friend is a cop (Lau Ching Wan). When some drug lords begin turning up dead, Tsui dons a black mask and hat to investigate the slayings and learns that his former Squad 701 comrades, led by psychotic Commander Hung (Patrick Lung), are plotting to take over the drug kingpin's illegal trade. Among their number is Tsui's ex-girlfriend Kaelin (Francoise Yip). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Daniel Lee
Written By: Teddy Chen, Koan Hui, Joe Ma, Hark Tsui
Genres: Art House & International, Action & Adventure

On DVD: Nov 30, 1999
Studio: Artisan Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris, Moviehole
Jet Li is freakin' unstoppable!
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
They needed to think this one through a little more before commiting it to film.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
You could watch it on mute and still be blown away by the action bits.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...an above-average entry in the field, thanks to its flashy camera work and attractive star. Non-fans of martial arts films need not even apply.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lanning :

The storyline may not always be sterling in a Jet Li movie, but one thing you can say for sure: Once Jet Li starts rocking in his purist martial arts action, there are few more stunning practitioners. See this maybe a whole lot less for the story than to see Li when he starts to… More
The storyline may not always be sterling in a Jet Li movie, but one thing you can say for sure: Once Jet Li starts rocking in his purist martial arts action, there are few more stunning practitioners. See this maybe a whole lot less for the story than to see Li when he starts to roll. What a butt-kickingly superior martial arts stylist.
Conner R

This is such a weird movie and I've seen my fair share of weird movies before. Maybe it's the combination of stylized action, gore, british dubbing and 80s feel to it. I really wasn't expecting it to be what it was. Jet Li looks like Kato from the Green Hornet and more… More
This is such a weird movie and I've seen my fair share of weird movies before. Maybe it's the combination of stylized action, gore, british dubbing and 80s feel to it. I really wasn't expecting it to be what it was. Jet Li looks like Kato from the Green Hornet and more or less is the character. There's really nothing that interesting about the movie at all, everything in it has been done better in other movies. It should only be seen by Jet Li completists.
Tsubaki S

Cheesy fun, just avoid the sequel.
Dean M

Jet Li turns in a great performance as the lead and his martial arts and abilities are amazing.
Khris N

Cool!!! - despite the drab story and settings - the action rocks!
Steven V

A fun comic bookish action flick, Jet Li turns in a great performance as the lead and his martial arts and abilities are amazing. Great action scene.
alan j

earliest jet li movie I saw...enjoyable martial arts fare..not to oserious subject matter..just watch and marvel at li's fighting skills...