This movie is lethargic. Anyone going in and expecting an energetic, high octane and explosive movie will be disappointed. The movie started well and I actually thought it had promise. The first fight scene was extremely dynamic and well-choreographed.
However, it quickly descends into melodramatic quagmire and bad melodrama at that. The movie goes into flashback on how the main character, Wong Little Dragon, became a hero of justice. The problem is that Wong Little Dragon is a moody, broody hero who has major issues with his job, his kungfu clan, his brother and his sort of steady girlfriend. This would actually be okay if it isn't for the fact that the actor who portrayed him, Donnie Yen, couldn't act to save his own life. I neither rooted for the character nor felt for his plight. I just thought he was annoying.
The other two male leads, Wong Little Tiger (played by Nicholas Tse), and Turbo Shek (yup, and played by Shawn Yue), are shafted into the background. All three of them have very little chemistry together. Making matters worse, Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue don't know martial arts in real life. So, both of them sucked - despite some impressive choreography by Donnie Yen. However, all three of them simply cannot carry a movie by themselves. Three of them together are just intolerable.
Compounding the problem is that the director and his creative team chose a very dark and drab look to the movie. It only makes a lethargic movie worse. The comic was garish, bright and explosive (there's the word again). Not at all like I remember.
Also, I truly feel the director is the wrong choice for the movie. His inexperience shows with the pacing and execution of the film. He plays with mood, lighting and uses every filter imaginable for the movie. However, this is totally unsuitable for a movie like DGT.
The only saving grace with the movie is the fight scenes. However, they don't really impressed me. Fearless by Jet Li really raised the bar on fight scenes. For those CG wire-fu, Kungfu Hustle is still more impressive than DTG. Donnie Yen has nothing on Yuen Wo Ping. The final villain is totally laughable and has no personality whatsoever.
An utter disappointment and overly ambitious effort which crumbles apart under its own weight. Not recommended for anything other than the fight scenes.It's a lethargic movie which rarely entertains.
3.5 out of 10.
However, it quickly descends into melodramatic quagmire and bad melodrama at that. The movie goes into flashback on how the main character, Wong Little Dragon, became a hero of justice. The problem is that Wong Little Dragon is a moody, broody hero who has major issues with his job, his kungfu clan, his brother and his sort of steady girlfriend. This would actually be okay if it isn't for the fact that the actor who portrayed him, Donnie Yen, couldn't act to save his own life. I neither rooted for the character nor felt for his plight. I just thought he was annoying.
The other two male leads, Wong Little Tiger (played by Nicholas Tse), and Turbo Shek (yup, and played by Shawn Yue), are shafted into the background. All three of them have very little chemistry together. Making matters worse, Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue don't know martial arts in real life. So, both of them sucked - despite some impressive choreography by Donnie Yen. However, all three of them simply cannot carry a movie by themselves. Three of them together are just intolerable.
Compounding the problem is that the director and his creative team chose a very dark and drab look to the movie. It only makes a lethargic movie worse. The comic was garish, bright and explosive (there's the word again). Not at all like I remember.
Also, I truly feel the director is the wrong choice for the movie. His inexperience shows with the pacing and execution of the film. He plays with mood, lighting and uses every filter imaginable for the movie. However, this is totally unsuitable for a movie like DGT.
The only saving grace with the movie is the fight scenes. However, they don't really impressed me. Fearless by Jet Li really raised the bar on fight scenes. For those CG wire-fu, Kungfu Hustle is still more impressive than DTG. Donnie Yen has nothing on Yuen Wo Ping. The final villain is totally laughable and has no personality whatsoever.
An utter disappointment and overly ambitious effort which crumbles apart under its own weight. Not recommended for anything other than the fight scenes.It's a lethargic movie which rarely entertains.
3.5 out of 10.