Streaming platforms have a habit of reviving long forgotten or hardly spoken about movies from the past, and that is true of the 2001 Kung-Fu action movie Kiss of the Dragon
entering the Top 10 on Tubi
after landing on the platform. Starring Jet Li
, in what some regard as his best English-speaking movie, the film did not score highly with critics, but like many action movies, it delivers some intense and crowd-pleasing fights that are enough to make it worth a watch for die-hard fans of the genre.
Kiss of the Dragon was written and produced by director Luc Besson, who also helmed The Fifth Element and Scarlett Johansson action movie Lucy, and, along with Li, starred Bridget Fonda, Burt Kwouk, and Tchéky Karyo. The synopsis of the movie reads:
“Jet Li plays Liu Jiuan, China’s top government agent, who arrives in Paris from Shanghai to carry out a sensitive, top-secret mission. Liu is in Paris to assist Richard (Tcheky Karyo), an unorthodox police official with a small army to back him up. The mission goes horribly wrong, as the man Liu had come to help, betrays him.”
While the movie was criticized for being a “formulaic” action movie, it was also noted to “be sure to please action fans.” This is something that is said of many action movies, which abandon believability and a deep and meaningful plot in favor of some brutal and intense fight scenes. Kiss of the Dragon is one of those movies.
Is ‘Kiss of the Dragon’ Worth Watching?
Let’s not beat around the bush here, Kiss of the Dragon is on Tubi, and any action movie landing on a free streaming platform is going to discover a new audience willing to give it a go – even if it is terrible. Thankfully, Kiss of the Dragon is a long way from that. If you are looking for a movie that requires a lot of thought and concentration, then Jet Li’s turn in this one will probably not scratch that itch. If you want to see him kicking seven bells out of bad guys in some well-choreographed fight scenes, then this is going to be right up your street.
A review of the movie from David W says, “Thoroughly enjoyed this hi-octane martial arts actioner. Some great set pieces, fight choreography and unusually good acting for the genre. One of the best examples of an action movie done to near perfection.” As part of his four-star review, Jacob B shares what could really be a consensus for the film, commenting, “A simple, unpretentious, fun action movie that might not be exactly filled to the brim with three-dimensional characters and compelling arcs but remains entertaining thanks to Jet Li’s amazing martial arts skills.”
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It seems that since joining Tubi a few days ago, Kiss of the Dragon has been both gaining a new audience of those unfamiliar with the film and those looking for a nostalgic kick. The overall 68% Popcornmeter score makes it clear that the movie is far from perfect, but for lovers of action movies that rely on the talent of their stars rather than excessive use of CGI, then Kiss of the Dragon is probably just what you are looking for.
Kiss of the Dragon
- Release Date
-
July 6, 2001
- Director
-
Chris Nahon
- Runtime
-
98 minutes
- Cast
-
Bridget Fonda
, Jet Li
, Tchéky Karyo
, Max Ryan
, Ric Young
, Burt Kwouk
, Laurence Ashley
, Cyril Raffaelli
, Didier Azoulay
, John Forgeham
, Paul Barrett
, Kentaro
, Colin Prince
, Vincent Glo
, Vincent Wong
, Claude Brécourt
, Frédéric Moulin
