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Dragon
武俠
2011 115 min Hong Kong, China R 16+
★7.3
Drama, Action, Thriller
Director: Peter Ho-Sun Chan
Trailers
Description
A sinful martial arts expert wants to start a new tranquil life, only to be hunted by a determined detective and his former master.
US Gross:
$11,137
Starring
Donnie Yen
Actor
Takeshi Kaneshiro
Actor
Tang Wei
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2012
— Best Production Design
Asian Film Academy 2012
— Best Cinematography
Asian Film Academy 2012
— Best Original Score
Asian Film Academy 2012
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
Wu Xia is widely regarded as a visually stunning and atmospheric genre hybrid that successfully elevates traditional martial arts cinema through a philosophical, detective-driven lens. While most critics praise the leads' performances and the unique blend of realism and stylization, opinions are divided regarding the film's structural shift from a nuanced, investigative first act to a more chaotic, action-heavy finale.
| Acting | Donnie Yen delivers a breakthrough dramatic performance that showcases his range beyond typical martial arts archetypes. | |
| Acting | Takeshi Kaneshiro effectively anchors the film as an eccentric, intellectually driven detective whose unique methods provide a compelling counterpoint to the physical action. | |
| Direction | Peter Chan provides masterful direction, balancing vivid period aesthetics with a sophisticated blend of thriller, drama, and wuxia elements. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is consistently praised for its lush, immersive portrayal of nature and its inventive, detail-oriented visual reconstructions of combat. | |
| Pacing | The film is bifurcated: viewers find the meditative, investigative first half deeply engaging, but many perceive a significant decline in narrative logic and tone during the more violent, action-oriented final act. |