Dragon Tiger Gate

The Gist

Based on the popular Hong Kong comic book series “Dragon Tiger Heroes”, the story speaks about two brothers Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse fighting for justice against the evil Louis Koo-voiced masked figure. Shawn Yue appears to help as well, so that they can be a trio.

What Do I Think?

A few years ago during a Hong Kong film award ceremony, Donnie Yen won The Best Action Choreography for The Twins Effect. At his acceptance speech, he promised that he will work very hard to produce more good quality films for Hong Kong. Indeed, he has kept to his promise! In DTG, he has further elevated his already A-list status in the HK film industry.

Is this like symbolic? Nicholas in white? The others in black? Does it tell their future? Hmmm...

Arguably, the late Bruce Lee single-handedly brought international recognition to HK films. After his early demise, there was a quick need for a successor and Jackie Chan came into the picture. Chan’s game was different, he did more comical and non-violent stuff. Then there was Jet Li but he was good at swiftness and wire-fu. With Chan and Li moving out to Hollywood, Yen does the opposite and comes back to HK. In my opinion, the former two weren’t really successors, they were merely martial-arts based entertainers. Yen on the other hand is the REAL successor. Their martial-arts styles both have similar characteristics: they have these feels of a street brawl and the moves are realistic. And not forgetting the lengthy single-takes! Any minor mistakes or imperfection, they have to do it all over again.

This poster feels kinda weird and unjustified. Yeah. It's unjustifiably weird.

In DTG, Yen has triple roles as actor, co-producer and action choreographer. He is truly The People’s Action Choreographer. Nicholas Tse has minimum martial arts exposure in his films before this. The opening fight scene in the restaurant is totally a mind-blower for all of us viewers alike! If this was your first time watching Tse on film, you might think that he had sizeable number of Kung-fu films prior to this. DTG is indeed Tse’s first proper action film. Yen and Tse worked very hard to achieve this feat. For one single short scene, Yen, a perfectionist, ordered Tse to perform a simple take of side-kicking a villain, in a total of five times before he accepted the cut. Mind you, Tse was really kicking the fella. In the head. Tse was said to be truly afraid that the guy might go blind or deaf. Anyhow, way to go, Nicholas! In spite of all these, Yen commented that one of the Twins was better fighter than he is. Judge it for yourself.

Donnie proudly displays his karate mo'.

Anyhow, I cannot say the same praises for Shawn Yue. I wonder if the script writing team purposely made his character to be weak in kung-fu because of his real life limitations? Not only that, his acting capability lacks the intensity to bring depth to his character. After thinking for a while, I cannot think of any other HK actor who can play his part. Edison? Too gwai-lo. Takeshi? Too Japanese. Daniel Wu? Also too gwai-lo. Sam Lee? Stephen Fung? Arguably, if these actors were just a few years younger, they may be suitable: Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan and Louis Koo. Based on all that is available, Shawn has to be the man. If this is any consolation, he has got the looks for the part.

Story wise, it has the basic and essential ingredients for a martial arts movie: loyalty, betrayal and revenge. All these arranged and added up to make reasons for fight scenes. Don’t expect too much. The screenplay is commendable as they did put in slightly more effort to produce results that were never seen before. Having slippers to substitute nunchuks? Smart! The production is of high standards (in the context of HK films) with specially designed costumes, locations and fighting weapons. HK films are not known for their CGI (due to comparison to them Hollywood buggers) so they don’t try to be what they are not capable of. Some of the graphics were purposely made animation-like to blend in with its comic book adaptation concept. Nicely placed and well done. The music is better than many other HK films. The score could be more memorable if it had been given a better exposure.

This Ting Fung fella really kicked. No joke.

Guess what? The CGI is done by Thai studios and the music and sound entirely by Japanese. Another truly Asian production. I don’t mind that, but did they have to get non-HK actresses again?? Shucks! Is that the current state of the HK film pool of talents?

No live voices for this film as the whole dialogue are dubbed. Still, this is better than any Tsui Hark’s action films.

If there is only one reason to watch this film, it is definitely for the martial arts. SPL got everyone talking when we saw Donnie Yen put up some high class action scenes that were combinations of martial arts and realistic street fight. Yen inserts a few more elements in DTG: commercialism, wire-fu, CGI and attitude. All these neatly packaged to create one of the best and coolest fight scenes in many years. Real spectacular choreography. You would open your eyes wide whenever he appears. He saved all the best fight sequences for himself. At other times you may enjoy seeing him posing.

Shawn Yue looks as though he is constipating from trying to pull that nunchuks outta his you-know-where.

Rating:
8/10. In conclusion, this is a highly enjoyable film with very good action scenes and a decent amount of eye-candy. This could even start a trend in HK films where non-martial arts actors are trained to showcase their kung-fu talents. If Nicholas Tse can do it, heck even Keanu Reeves could do it, why not Aaron Kwok, Takeshi and Louis Koo? Bring them on, Donnie! And bring them DTG II, III and even IV anytime!

Dragon Tiger Panther