Critic Reviews
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Whack! Thworp! Crack! Sometimes, it's fun to sit back and enjoy the spectacle of bad guys getting their heads beaten in.
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Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
Li jumps into a series of martial arts sequences of flying fists and balletic moves that truly reinvigorate a genre that has gone stale even in Asia.
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Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
The characters in Kiss of the Dragon are more cardboard than usual for an action movie.
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Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Kiss of the Dragon offers just about a kill a minute, but less than a thrill a minute.
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Mark Jenkins, Washington Post
Kiss of the Dragon does have a sense of its own absurdity, but that doesn't prevent it from cloaking the inherently comic kung-fu genre in a seriousness so solemn that it could be French.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A disappointing follow-up to Jet Li's Romeo Must Die.
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Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Jet Li film is not for kids.
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Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Jet Li's true masterpiece of the 2000s is a blitzkrieg of crazy, hard-R martial arts. Forget the need to always know who's beating whom or why in a narrative that's basically negligible. "Dragon's" gritty, giddy grindhouse thrills trump logic.
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Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
A return to form for Li who dropped all the hip hop crap and was allowed to put his raw skills on display...
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Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The formulaic story cannot weigh down the high-flying, visceral excitement that the film offers in generous doses.
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Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
We are coaxed to rejoice in the name of vengeance.
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David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Li has smartly decided to eschew the all-too-fashionable use of wires for the fight scenes in favor of old-fashioned hand-to-hand combat.
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Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Poor Jet Li . . . he doesn't have the comedic timing of Jackie Chan, the looks or charm of Chow Yun Fat, and he certainly isn't the second coming of Bruce Lee.
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Tom Grealis, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
In almost all martial arts action movies, plot is subordinate to action, and 'Kiss Of The Dragon' is no different.
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Ron Wells, Film Threat
Even to [Li's] long-time fans in Hong Kong and America the results should be eye-opening.
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Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
While Kiss of the Dragon remains a relatively fun little brain-dead punch-em-out worth a rental, it's forgettable at best.
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Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
There are some tangible similarities between rising star Jet Li and Bruce Lee, beyond just the pronunciation of their last names.
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Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
You've got to respect any movie that jumps into an action scene every fifteen minutes, regardless of what that pesky "plot" has to say.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...has no other claims to fame than its filling up ninety-eight minutes of screen time with plenty of Jet Li and a pile of kicking, punching, and shooting.
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
The whole film plays a great deal like an extended episode of "Iron Chef": lots of edged weapons, dead frogs, and campy dialogue.
Read all 25 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
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A hard-boiled and and awesome action-packed thriller. A sizzling, sexy, thrilling and explosive shocker from start to finish. The action is fast, relentless and utterly furious. Jet Li packs pure star power along with his incredible skills, he proves that he's one of the greatest… More
A hard-boiled and and awesome action-packed thriller. A sizzling, sexy, thrilling and explosive shocker from start to finish. The action is fast, relentless and utterly furious. Jet Li packs pure star power along with his incredible skills, he proves that he's one of the greatest martial arts action stars to ever hit the screen. WIth Master Li and Producer, Luc Besson you can only get amazing with this explosive combo. It's filled with adrenaline-charged action that truly knocks you out. Tcheky Karyo is electrifying. Bridget Fonda is fantastic.
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Worth watching for Li's martial arts but with a story loosely and formulaicly strung together you can't help but feel guilty while you cruise through this action flick.
Oh well, at least it was better than his other film; Unleashed (Danny the dog.)
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Not my favorite Jet Li outing, but it is Jet Li, so you know it's gotta be really bad for me to give it any fewer than three stars. I'd want more martial arts and less Bridget Fonda to give it a higher rating.
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A decent action film with plenty of well choreographed fight scenes. The plot is very basic and not original there are a few lulls between the action scenes but overall it's an entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.
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Hey...they fight...it's a good old action movie...nice
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Watchable for the most part thanks to Cory Yuen, and Jet Li just being a blast to watch kicking the crap out of people. Now, why is Luc Besson's hand in almost every single action/genre film produced in France? The man is an atrocious writer, and while Jet Li gets the credit for… More
Watchable for the most part thanks to Cory Yuen, and Jet Li just being a blast to watch kicking the crap out of people. Now, why is Luc Besson's hand in almost every single action/genre film produced in France? The man is an atrocious writer, and while Jet Li gets the credit for the story here the screenplay stinks of Besson all the way to the generic "action plot cliches" and the forced atempts at doing melodrama. You're not a Hong Kong director Besson, stop trying already, the man just can't write to save his life.
Besides Jet it must be said that Cyril Raffaelli is a good screen fighter too, the man deserves better material. Tcheky Karyo plays the same role he has played for years, but he's good at it. Bridget Fonda embarasses the family name, but that's for another review. Overall, just watch it if there's nothing else on tv.
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Well...it's your typical jet li action flick. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I'd seen it a few years ago.
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The plot is whatever, but the fighting choreography is what makes this film. Cue ball scene and Jet Li blocking 4 dudes' attacks then beating their A was amazing.
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Once again an Asian star is lumbered with the weakest of material when trying to crack the American market. Luc Besson's scripts only work when done with his trademark tongue in cheek humour. Taken seriously, all you are left with is daft steretypes and some serious lapses in… More
Once again an Asian star is lumbered with the weakest of material when trying to crack the American market. Luc Besson's scripts only work when done with his trademark tongue in cheek humour. Taken seriously, all you are left with is daft steretypes and some serious lapses in logical story telling. I mean in what dimension is a French detective an irredeemably evil, grenade-toting psychopath who can mow down dozens of civilians with automatic weapons in plain sight of everyone without ever getting caught...? Jet Li is his usual charismatic self, and his physical performance is as flawless as always. Bridget Fonda also brings a believable touch of vulnerability and humanity to her rather stereotypical tart with a heart character but the strength of their performances only serves to remind you that they are both better than this kind of generic action nonsense.
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Really really good. I loved the action and kung-foo style fighting scenes. The story was actually really good although I thought it wouldn't even have a story so I was proved wrong. It was emotional and exciting. Was a bit confusing in the beginning hence the 1/2 star but was… More
Really really good. I loved the action and kung-foo style fighting scenes. The story was actually really good although I thought it wouldn't even have a story so I was proved wrong. It was emotional and exciting. Was a bit confusing in the beginning hence the 1/2 star but was awesome otheriwse. I also like how they used the "kiss of the dragon" as the name because of how it was used in the movie. I was a bit confused until he said what the needle place is called. Excelent.
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Gratituios violence in a martial arts movie - about time! Jet Li takes on the french police - Go Jet!
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made me wanna kick a pool ball, it hurt
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Jet Li is the greatest action star in this fantastic and quick action film.
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[font=Arial][color=darkred]Jet Li is a man with fantastic martial arts skills and splendor. I have no doubt in my mind that if this man were given a proper American vehicle he could knock 'em dead. 'Romeo Must Die' was too tired and the fight scenes were too cramped… More
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Jet Li is a man with fantastic martial arts skills and splendor. I have no doubt in my mind that if this man were given a proper American vehicle he could knock 'em dead. 'Romeo Must Die' was too tired and the fight scenes were too cramped (not to mention the hilarious spine flashing kick at the end). Li takes off this time as a Chinese intelligent officer who travels to France to unwittingly become the center of corrupt cops' ire. Li dispatches people in some unintentionally uproarious manners like the use of chopsticks or acupuncture. The story is meaningless and just a door to the action sequences to show off the muscle of Li.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]The biggest detriment of 'Kiss of the Dragon' happens to be in the area of why the audience is forking over their green - action. The action scenes in 'Dragon' are horribly choreographed and edited together. Nothing astounds the eye or makes the pulse race; it only annoys and agitates. The audience is coming to see some awesome kung fu delivered by its maestro Li, but what they end up getting is dull fight sequences horrendously spliced together. No sense of time or geography comes from these edits, which means there might be stuff happening but you don't know what and to whom. If you're going to showcase Li at least give the man a workable stage for his talents.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]The story of 'Dragon' is laughably bad with some perfect forehead slapping moments, like when Li is running from the bad guys and ducks into a martial arts class where everyone then takes him on. Bridget Fonda hits a career low as a woman forced into prostitution so she can retrieve her little girl again. The entire supporting cast is about as animated and well put together at the atrocious fight sequences. Only true die-hard fans of Li or kung fu should go see 'Kiss of the Dragon'. The rest of the public should just hide their chopsticks when Li comes for dinner.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: D+[/color][/font]
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Kiss of the Dragon is a perfect film to showcase what is both good and bad about Jet Li films. The good being that Li can do many physical acts like no one else and the bad being his undying belief that he can act in a dramatic fashion. Some of the action sequences are actually… More
Kiss of the Dragon is a perfect film to showcase what is both good and bad about Jet Li films. The good being that Li can do many physical acts like no one else and the bad being his undying belief that he can act in a dramatic fashion. Some of the action sequences are actually quite amazing. One of the opening action sequences has a few long unedited moments, the best being when Li beats up a bad guy in a laundry room with a mop knocks him into a dryer and then locks him inside almost in one smooth movement. The best moment of the film though is unfortunately also highlighted in the trailers, where Li kicks a pool ball out of a table pocket then kicks it in mid-air directly at someones head. Although it has these excellent action moments they are too few and far between because so much of the film is spent on a ridiculous romance plot and the painfully unbearable efforts of Li to try and act dramatically. Kiss of the Dragon is a mixed bag with too much bagged to give a recommendation to.
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My favourite North American Jet Li movie. Ridiculously bad acting and overly dramatic at points but the fighting more than makes up for it. It doesn't hold a candle to his Chinese movies but this is the best North American offering we've had from Jet Li. Could use some more… More
My favourite North American Jet Li movie. Ridiculously bad acting and overly dramatic at points but the fighting more than makes up for it. It doesn't hold a candle to his Chinese movies but this is the best North American offering we've had from Jet Li. Could use some more fight scenes but the ones we're given have some great choreography.
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"There is a time for diplomacy and a time for action. Diplomacy is dead."
"Kiss of the Dragon" stars the great Jet Li as Liu Jian, a Chinese police agent who is sent to France to assist Inspector Richard (Tcheky Karyo) in arresting one of the most powerful drug… More
"There is a time for diplomacy and a time for action. Diplomacy is dead."
"Kiss of the Dragon" stars the great Jet Li as Liu Jian, a Chinese police agent who is sent to France to assist Inspector Richard (Tcheky Karyo) in arresting one of the most powerful drug lords in Asia.
Jet Li shines in this full on action thriller. The fighting scenes were good and Li kicks some serious ass, cool in appearance but capable of dishing out injury to anyone. It was excellent, fast and fun to watch and Bridget Fonda does well as the female lead in the movie with a solid performance playing the prostitute trying to get her daughter back. Tcheky Karyo relishes the part as the villain and provides an entertaining antagonist to Li's hero.
I could barely refrain myself as I watched the kick ass choreography unfolding right in front of my eyes. Jet Li's ability was a sheer delight to watch. One fight I will remember would probably be the fight between Jet Li and the two blonde-haired henchmen, played by French actors Cyril Raffaelli and Didier Azoulay. The sound track was a good one and worked well for this movie.
The actual Kiss of the Dragon the movie's title refers to is a form of Chinese acupuncture, a method that Li uses in the film that can put people to sleep or give a very bloody death. That line uttered by Richard after Jet Li's character told him he had been *Kissed* by the dragon was an instant classic, lol!!
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Jet Li's finest English language movie to date. Packed with ultra-violent fight scenes and some decent acting. Although Bridget Fonda is the only low point as she is so annoying.
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Liu Jiuan is brought in from Beijing to Paris to help French police arrest a crime boss. Little does he know that the French cop that he is to work with is completely corrupt and intends to frame him for the murder of the crime boss. None of this really matters though as pretty much… More
Liu Jiuan is brought in from Beijing to Paris to help French police arrest a crime boss. Little does he know that the French cop that he is to work with is completely corrupt and intends to frame him for the murder of the crime boss. None of this really matters though as pretty much every English language film that Jet Li is in is very sparse on story and instead just showcases Jet Li's ability to beat the shit out of goons. As per usual he does this extremely well and the fight scenes are great. Defiently an entertaining flick and good for an hour and half of good times, but not a great film by any means. You've seen one you've seen em all. Watch Once Upon a Time in China or Fists of Legend instead.
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Besson + Li = plot involving Li getting hold of an incriminating tape that will expose bad guy as bad, so bad guy sends lots of hench guys to kill Li and they all fail.
What boosts the film is some decent fights, Li's accupuncture skills, and most importantly Bridget Fonda -… More
Besson + Li = plot involving Li getting hold of an incriminating tape that will expose bad guy as bad, so bad guy sends lots of hench guys to kill Li and they all fail.
What boosts the film is some decent fights, Li's accupuncture skills, and most importantly Bridget Fonda - who's character and subplot add some depth to the film and give the fights more meaning. It made me wish she was in more films.
It's still nothing special but it's better than it has any right to be.
Read all 20 featured audience ratings
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