A lot of people just stick this under the generic Action/Kung Fu film, but it really isn't as it has a very sad story and it is very relevant to today as it shows how Blackmarket slavery is still very much a thing and how this horrible thing is something that a lot of people turn a blind eye to. Jet Li (Danny) is raised like a dog since a child by a British gangster played Bob Hoskins (Bart) and throughout this film you hate Bart and you want to see Danny break free from this horrible world, Jet Li gives one of his best performances with his eyes actually being something that makes you feel for him during the film seeing moments of sadness, confusion, emotionlessness but even joy as he starts to have a regular life with a family played by Morgan Freeman (Sam) and Kerry Condon (Victoria).
Throughout the film, you want to see Danny get out of this horrible world and have a regular life full of love. Now I would be amiss to not talk about the action and boy, oh boy the action is amazing in this film with Jet Li and the stunt team showing some really great chops with some amazing fight choreography and also just amazing stunt working in general, with some of the action is very R Rated and by the end of the film becomes so satisfying.
But this movie isn't perfect, I found the bit where the family start to help Danny to be very weird as they don't react like a regular family as they do not show any concern and more or less just open the door to him and don't ask any questions or even seem scared that this man who obviously was a slave doesn't know anything about his past or tells them anything about this past. Also, the editing in this film like a lot of Louis Leterrier movies can be really choppy and even jarring at times to the viewer, the sad thing is Louis Leterrier is actually a pretty good action director and this editing technique really does bring the quality of the film down.
Other than the two negatives above, this film is really good and it will keep you invested with its awesome action and even heartbreaking story at times with Jet Li giving one of his best performances in my opinion. Definitely worth a watch.
I give it a 7.5/10 as it is only a few things that let it down from being an 8/10.
The only Jet Li movie I love. I was moved by the fight choreography, the music, the writing, and most of all the acting. Everything falls just perfectly. I remember buying a DVD of this movie to keep it in my collection. I didn't want to lose it.
Youth sentiment.
Great movie even after all these years.
The last scene of the movie , as soon as Victoria hits the piano keys , very emotional and hearthwarming scène. The look on dannys face... I give this a solid 8 on my trakt.
Definitely a movie about self-discovery, think of a young adult drama with added fight scenes.
Bob Hoskins reminded me of the bad guy in Dukes of Hazzard to the point that I had to check if it was the same person.
Would have not watched it if it wasn't that my manager brought it up a couple of times, now in the next meeting i can give him an hard time.
Soo damn good! Unique concept and great action sequences with probably Li's most endearing performance. I think this is my favorite Jet Li movie.
Shout by CinemanicBonkersBlockedParent2020-07-11T23:25:54Z
Morgan Freeman and Jet li are both great actors alone but together they’re a good tuning.
Still an amazing film with heartwarming moments, beautiful piano music and some kick arse action..