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Law officer Liu Jian (Jet Li) arrives in Paris, from Beijing, on assignment. He is to secure a
visiting high-ranking Chinese official and to assist in investigating a shady drug deal. However, police Inspector Richard (Tcheky Karyo) resents this arrangement, telling
Johnny/Jian it appears that the Paris lawmen are not to be trusted. Then, in an instant, the Chinese official is dead and this is pinned on Jian, to the disbelief of the dead
official's assistant. The assistant also turns up dead and Richard again points to Liu as the culprit. The whole Paris law enforcement contingent, it seems, is now after him.
What is a lone man in a strange country to do? Will he be able to extricate himself from this deadly situation, at the same time prove his innocence?
Fans of Jet Li have a ready answer. They do not mind if Kiss of the Dragon and his
other movies do not put too much attention on the plot. They get what they have come to expect: a lot of martial arts action which they enjoy. And this is what
Kiss of the Dragon gives to the audience. About two thirds of the sequences are involved with a series of chases and confrontations between Liu Jian and Richard, with his
endless stream of policemen and criminal elements. Jet Li is effective as the quiet, determined, one-track-minded lawman, saving himself and going after the bad guys. He is a
controlled, very efficient machine when provoked. To match his character of Liu Jian is Tcheky Karyo as Inspector Richard, just as good in his role, if not a bit overacting.
The innovative use of a billiard ball, chopsticks and especially acupuncture needles is interesting, at the same scary that they could be lethal weapons. Hats off for the
technical efficacy of the film, in particular to the director and editor.
While enjoying Jet Li and his unbelievably fantastic martial arts moves, viewers must not lose
sight of the fact that maiming, killing, sights of blood and battered bodies, massive property destruction are part and parcel of movies of this genre. Aware of its extreme
violence, Jet Li himself has posted a warning on his website telling parents not to allow their youngsters to view this film. But even adult Kung Fun aficionados, who have
been awed and entertained by the exploits of Jet Li, should be aware that constant exposure to this kind of film may desensitize viewers to what is wrong. Serious action films
portray their heroes as maiming and killing machines. Here, Liu Jian has also his human side, when he meets Jessica. (Bridget Fonda) Some tender scenes show his compassion for
her being exploited, sedated and put to work as a sex-slave, and her young daughter held hostage. He tries to help her.
(Date reviewed: August 3, 2001)
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