The Duel (2000)

Hong Kong pop cinema may have reached its peak in the late '80s and early '90s, but there are still flashes of brilliance to be found--and The Duel is one of them. This amazing fantasy centers around two supreme swordsmen, played by Andy Lau (Savior of Souls, God of Gamblers) and Ekin Cheng (The Storm Riders), who are set to fight a duel on the roof of the royal palace of China, known as the Forbidden City. Only eight witnesses to the battle will be allowed; imperial agent Dragon 9--also known as "Four Eyebrows" because of his thin mustache--is assigned to choose these witnesses. But as Dragon 9 goes about his business, he begins to uncover evidence of a sinister conspiracy that may threaten the life of the emperor himself. Part action epic, part mystery, part romance, The Duel careens wildly from wacky comedy to heroic passion to sweet tenderness, often in the same scene--but the movie is so visually lush, propulsively filmed (with action sequences choreographed by Ching Siu-tung, the man responsible for the kinetic dynamism of Dragon Inn and Swordsman II), and engagingly acted that you'll be swept up in every twist of tone and plot. Movies like The Duel make American action movies seem pale and simplistic; if you're unfamiliar with Hong Kong's unique and dazzling action cinema, The Duel will provide an excellent, thrilling introduction. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Comedy, Action AND romance??!! Grrreat!

Let me start by: If you liked Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle, etc then you will LOVE this movie!!

It has the cheesy comedy (but not too cheesy) and action (not too much action) and some romance (got me teary eyed) all thrown together to make a fabulous movie!!

The first 5-10 minutes are a little slow, only because I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I watched this movie. I admit, I thought I was going to be watching some kung-fu only when I got this movie.

Boy was I surprised! Pleasantly surprised!!

Be warned, if you don't have a sense of humor, and if you're only looking for action - then you will be disappointed.

But if you like movies that have curses and sexual jokes, then you'll love this movie.
I want to watch it again, and I just watched it last night! October 25, 2007

Enjoyable, even if it isn't your usual fare...

As an American watching a translation, it's sometimes difficult to determine a film-maker's intent. Ever since "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," we in the West have had to re-evaluate martial arts cinema--it's not always about revenge. Sometimes, it seems pretty inexplicable. You know-- different culture, different philosophy, etc. (That's what I'm told, anyway. Since I don't speak Chinese, I couldn't exactly say WHAT gets lost in translation.)

Regardless of culture or genre, the big question always has to be: did you like the movie?

Well, yes, I liked it. I don't know if I get all of it, but I liked it. The action sequences and special effects are soundly executed without taking over the film. The actors are enjoyable to watch, and I actually got the jokes (there were many). At the end of the movie, I felt like I'd watched a story, and not just fluff. There was a theme and hidden plot behind all those flying people with swords. You gotta like that.
June 1, 2006

GOOD movie to watch

EPIC FANTASY-MARTIAL ARTS DRAMA WITH A COMEDIC TWIST
This was a really great movie; the perfect marriage between spectacular swordplay and special effects. Set in imperial China, this movie has everything a martial arts/fantasy fan could want - love, ambition, honor, martial arts, magic and wonderful production values with the added bonus of a wise cracking protagonist. The movie smoothly shifts between the genres of drama, martial arts and comedy through its entirety, the end result being a magnificent martial arts fantasy that is as amazing as it is funny.

Also Recommended: The Bride with White Hair; Iron Monkey; pretty much any Jackie Chan movie that he produced (on an unrelated note, his autobiography " I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action" was a pretty fun read) February 10, 2006

My name is 9, Dragon 9

Perhaps the best way to think of this movie is as a Chinese equivalent of a James Bond movie, (it even has the James Bond theme in one scene).

The basic plot of the movie is when one of the country's greatest swordsmen, Yip Cool Sung, challenges another, Simon Blow Snow, to a Duel on the roof of the forbidden city on the 15th day of the first month (Chinese new year).
The Benevolent Emperor permits the duel saying "Many would be disappointed if I forbade it."
However as the palace can only accomodate 8 additional spectators, the Emperor issues 8 gold passes, and it falls upon the palace detective Dragon 9 (sometimes translated as 009) to decide who is eligible to see the Duel. It is only after an incident at a local brothel that Dragon 9 suspects that something isn't right, but can't say what it is exactly. Not long afterwards, Dragon 9 and his friend and owner of the brothel, Lord Goldbeard find three carved figurines in the hands of a slain stone carver. While two of these figurines are easily identified, one as been the chief Eunuch Lau, and the other as a gambler named Ma a.k.a. "The dice demon," the third has had the face filed off it leading Dragon 9 to believe that this figurine is a replica of the killer but, without a face on the figurine it is impossible to say who it is.
The killer's identity remains unknown as both Ma and the craftsman asked to restore the face on the figurine are killed, and Eunuch Lau dies mysteriously. But the real surprise is not so much the killer's identity as to what the whole master plan is.

What this movie lacks action-wise, it makes up for in mystery and suspence, humour, softcore sexual references, and certain Matrix like special effects.

Quotes:

Dragon 9: Nice (playfully slaps sword wielding women on the face) Big ass too (spanks them as he passes through the throng) Hey! love your ass!

(a few minutes later when Simon Blow Snow arrives to fight the Phantom)

Simon:(to Phantom) Live or die?
Dragon 9:Big....I mean live.


(Princess Phoenix and Dragon 9 fall into a pit after finding the slain craftsman)

Princess Phoenix:You cowards have used a dirty trick to trap us, come down here and fight Dragon 9 if you dare.
Dragon 9:Come down here! Copme down and fight me if you dare!
Princess:Didn't you say you're telepathic microstep is invinicible, let's get some backup
Dragon 9:Ok, ready? 1, 2, (they both jump)
Princess:How come it didn't work?
Dragon 9:I forgot to tell you, the microstep's only good for running away.

Dragon 9: (eating a cake starts making choking sounds)This cake....is absolutely delicious.
July 14, 2005

Chinese Martial Arts Film~ RULEZ!

Well if you all watch the Storm Riders, this is the second movie you need to watch. Eventhough i found the martial arst and kung-fu kinda cheesy but the story is not that bad and the casting was perfect. I love Chinese Kung-Fu flicts specially reading some english subtitles (it doesn't bother me anymore). All in all your money won't be wasted in this film.

CIAO!
June 3, 2005

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