Kiss of the Dragon (2001)

Director:

Chris Nahon

Writers (WGA):

Jet Li (story)
Luc Besson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

6 July 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Kiss Fear Goodbye

Plot:

A betrayed intelligence officer enlists the aid of a prostitute to prove his innocence from a deadly conspiracy while returning a favor to her.

Plot Keywords:

Prostitute | Orphanage | Sex | Locker | Hiding From Police

Cast

Jet Li	...	Liu Jian
Bridget Fonda	...	Jessica Kamen
Tchéky Karyo	...	Insp. Richard
Max Ryan	...	Lupo
Ric Young	...	Mister Big
Burt Kwouk	...	Uncle Tai
Laurence Ashley	...	Aja
Cyril Raffaelli	...	Twin
Didier Azoulay	...	Twin
John Forgeham	...	Max
Paul Barrett	...	Pilot
Kentaro	...	Chen
Colin Prince	...	Lupo's Assistant
Vincent Glo	...	Pluto
Vincent Wong	...	Minister Tang

Also Known As:

KOD: Kiss of the Dragon (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
Le baiser du dragon (France) (pre-release title)
Le baiser mortel du dragon (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, language, some sexuality and drug content.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English | French | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:18 | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18PL | USA:R (certificate #38364) | South Korea:18 | Germany:18 | Philippines:R-18 (cut) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Canada:18A (video rating) | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Bateaux Mouches, Seine River, Paris, France

Company:

Europa Corp.

Trivia:

The only scenes involving wire work were when Jet Li had to jump up to kick the pool ball and when Cyril Raffaelli (Twin 1) performs his one-and-a-quarter backwards somersault-kick.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Liu escapes the boat and jump under the bridge, he quickly join a metro platform. The name that can be seen on the wall is "Invalides". When Liu enters the metro train the name can still be seen, but when the metro train leaves the station, the other station name boards on the wall display "Porte des Lilas". (The scene was actually shot in the former "Porte des Lilas" metro station that is now dedicated for the shooting of films. The Director forgot to ask the staff to change all the station name boards to "Invalides".)

Quotes:

Richard: Sometimes the best are also the worst. It's really sad.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Danika (2006)

Soundtrack:

Shake Ya Ass

Very good action movie

This is definitely Jet Li's best action movie since he came over from Hong Kong. Some scenes reminiscent of Fist of Legend in this one. Quite well choreographed fight scenes with good realistic violence a la Bruce Lee. The plot is rather formulaic, as is much of the dialogue (I expected better from Besson), but the movie has a bit of the 'Nikita' flair (guys going crazy with fully automatic weapons in public places). A bit too much talking and not enough fighting, but far superior to 'Romeo Must Die'. The use of no wires is also a very nice touch. Best action movie of this summer so far. (8/10)