Dragon Tiger Gate – Bluray Review

Distributor: Cine Asia

UK Release Date: 30 March 2009

Format: Bluray

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 92 Minutes

Director: Wilson Yip

Starring: Shawn Yue, Nicholas Tse, Donnie Yen

Special Features:

• Making of…
• Pre-Production
• Shooting Diaries
• 4x Location Featurettes
• Deleted Scenes
• Trailer Gallery
• Donnie Yen Interview
• Nicholas Tse Interview
• Shawn Yue Interview
• Dong Jie Interview
• Li Xiaoran Interview
• Wilson Yip Interview
• Also Available Trailers

The Plot:

When Tiger Wong (Nicholas Tse, NEW POLICE STORY) uses his special Dragon Slaying Kick to protect an innocent family from being tormented by Triads, he unwittingly takes a large gold medallion from one of his assailants. He doesn’t know that it’s the Lousha Death Plaque – a powerful talisman belonging to one of the biggest criminal organisations in Asia.

A marked man, Tiger is ambushed by a vicious gang, but is protected by a stranger with incredible martial arts skills. This man is Dragon (Donnie Yen, HERO), who is Tiger’s estranged step-brother. Together with Turbo (Shawn Yue, INFERNAL AFFAIRS) – an expert in nunchakus – these three street fighters must put aside their differences and stand alone against the might of the Lousha Gate.

All I can say is, I’m on a roll with these Martial Arts films!

Although a little confusing in how Tiger and Dragon are brothers to begin with it soon becomes clear as Dragon Tiger Gate plays out much like a Japanese RPG, even the characters look like they’ve been plucked out of Square Enix’ Final Fantasy.

Then when all the roads meet and the story comes together each of the main characters get a special ability.  Which is why I didn’t mind some of the wire work being on show here because this is more about east meeting the realms of fantasy as they fight for… actually I’m not sure why they were fighting in the end.

Some Stunning Visuals!

Well yeah, I was but this ‘seal’ just seemed to be the plot device to push each faction past the point of No Return!  It worked well and the flashbacks to the childhoods of Dragon and Tiger worked particularly well in explaining their motivation and how they came to be parted.

The direction was inspired too, there were moments when it felt a little “Why have you done that?” but overall the fight scenes never took on the MTV vibe of cutting in close so you don’t have a clue what’s going on.  The scenery sets the stage and the players are placed on that stage with great care because one mis step and the person on the receiving end is screwed.  In fact the one thing the special features are missing is a blooper reel charting the injuries over the course of the films development.

Everything hit the right spot, from the story to the opening fight scene to the cheesy closing battle which sees our heroes take on the strangest abilities.

Take the journey.  You won’t be sorry.

Comedy Villain, Ahoy!

It’s based on a comic book so those of you who like your martial arts straight, this isn’t the film for you.  If you like your films with added flair that originates from a graphic novel… then you’ll definitely give this one a thumbs up!

Video and Audio: 4 Stars

Is it me or are my reviews getting shorter? I should be ashamed!!