Jet Li's latest martial arts epic is quite an unusual film, with an unwieldy premise that feels like three entirely different kinds of films all mixed together rather randomly. First of all there are the gladiator-style fighting set-pieces, in which Li typically battles opponents, sometimes in a ring; these extraordinarily violent moments offer all the action a kung fu fan could wish for. Secondly, there's a gangsterish sub-plot, in which 21st century Glasgow becomes a seedy London of the '70s, as Bob Hoskins and his cronies go around torturing and crippling various adversaries. Finally, there's the human drama, in which Li becomes part of a family consisting of a blind Morgan Freeman and his niece. The elements are disparate, but the final effect is an interesting movie.
New director Louis Leterrier, who has proved his worth with this and TRANSPORTER 2, delivers the action with aplomb and Yuen Woo Ping's choreography also helps loads; these fights are fast, furious and exceptionally hard-hitting, with lots of broken bones and really crucial battles. The arena fight with a pacifist Danny and the battle with the bald assassin are particularly worthy moments, some of the best I've seen, and I can't wait to watch them again.
The human side of the story is also well handled, rather better than it should be, and Freeman turns the minor role of the piano tuner into something special and moving, yet human at the same time. Condon is sweet as the girl who brings out Li's humanity, and the pair share some touching moments. Not so with Bob Hoskins, who chews the scenery as the spectacularly unpleasant mob boss; Hoskins is on top form whether he's raging in anger or telling one of his anecdotes. I guess I'm not the only one wondering what Hoskins and Freeman are doing in an action B-movie.
Li himself is good, although I found him more sympathetic in KISS OF THE DRAGON; he's said he's giving up kung fu and becoming a 'serious' actor, but I'm not totally convinced that he's good enough to do that. Martial arts-wise, though, Li is spectacular, a real force of nature who tears up the screen time after time, bringing new levels of entertainment to the viewer. A couple of excellent car crashes add to the action quotient and the result is a watchable film that should satisfy most fans who can handle the violence.
New director Louis Leterrier, who has proved his worth with this and TRANSPORTER 2, delivers the action with aplomb and Yuen Woo Ping's choreography also helps loads; these fights are fast, furious and exceptionally hard-hitting, with lots of broken bones and really crucial battles. The arena fight with a pacifist Danny and the battle with the bald assassin are particularly worthy moments, some of the best I've seen, and I can't wait to watch them again.
The human side of the story is also well handled, rather better than it should be, and Freeman turns the minor role of the piano tuner into something special and moving, yet human at the same time. Condon is sweet as the girl who brings out Li's humanity, and the pair share some touching moments. Not so with Bob Hoskins, who chews the scenery as the spectacularly unpleasant mob boss; Hoskins is on top form whether he's raging in anger or telling one of his anecdotes. I guess I'm not the only one wondering what Hoskins and Freeman are doing in an action B-movie.
Li himself is good, although I found him more sympathetic in KISS OF THE DRAGON; he's said he's giving up kung fu and becoming a 'serious' actor, but I'm not totally convinced that he's good enough to do that. Martial arts-wise, though, Li is spectacular, a real force of nature who tears up the screen time after time, bringing new levels of entertainment to the viewer. A couple of excellent car crashes add to the action quotient and the result is a watchable film that should satisfy most fans who can handle the violence.