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The sci-fi movie begins with an explanation that there are parallel universes, similar but not
identical. A character can have alternates of himself in several universes. This is exactly the case with the evil Yulaw (Jet Li), a power-hungry agent of the Multiverse
Bureau of Investigation who wants to be "The One," the ultimate power in all universes. By killing 123 of his alternates and absorbing their physical and mental powers
he becomes superhuman. His previous partners in the Bureau, Roedecker (Delroy Lindo) and Funsch (Jason Statham) chase him from universe to universe to prevent him from
becoming "The One", to preserve the "balance" and peaceful co-existence of the worlds. On the other hand, Yulaw is hell-bent on hunting-to-the-kill his last alternate
self, Gabe (Jet Li), a popular and peaceable Deputy Sheriff of Los AngelesCounty. The two selves fight it out to the finish. Who will be "The One"?
This movie will definitely attract hordes of martial arts aficionados, for what can be more
exciting to them than Jet Li at last finding his match in another Jet Li? The cleverly choreographed climactic duel shows Jet Li fighting himself. So equally matched are the
two alternate selves in skill and grace that, except for the blue shirt and scowling face of Yulaw, the viewer cannot distinguish him from the black-coated, cool and cheery
Gabe. And of course, to satisfy the fans' expectations for new thrills, there are the computer-generated, fantastic feats of Jet Li (i.e. running at 50 miles per hour) and the
hi-tech special effects. The most spectacular of these show the characters disintegrate digitally while being sucked into a black hole in the sky only to reappear in some
other universe, dazed, but as fully "integrated" persons. Yet, in spite of the fight sequences and special effects, the movie falls short of its promise, considering its novel
and interesting sci-fi concept. It is difficult to follow, confusing and has no interesting characters. Its script is underwritten. Jet Li speaks in a flat monotone.
This film is science fiction but its theme is universal: the conflict between good and evil.
As in an allegory the two alternates of Jet Li in the movie are like the good and evil sides of a person, externalized and made palpable for everyone to see. Being human, a
person is never totally good or totally bad, and the battle for dominance between the two sides is on going. The human soul is its eternal battleground. Just like Yulaw, the
evil side is scheming, over ambitious, proud, power hungry, wanting to possess or to dominate or to oppress in some way. Just like Gabe, the good side should be cheery but
wary, careful, vigilant, spiritually strong and ready for onslaughts from the enemy. Can one's greatest enemy be his own self?
(Date reviewed: November 9, 2001)
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