You know those “Who would win in a fight?” questions between some of the all-time greats? Well I bet you’d never ask yourself who would win in a fight between Jackie Chan and Adrien Brody. Alas, that is the question you find before you in this Chinese/American historical action epic billed as one of the most expensive films in China, Dragon Blade.
Dragon Blade centres around Jackie Chan’s character Huo An, the leader of The Protection Squad (bad-ass name!) whose task it is to guard and keep peace between 36 nations on the Silk Road; a region that linked East Asia to parts of Europe, the Middle East, India and eastern parts of Africa. #squadgoals, right? The Protection Squad are framed for a crime they didn’t commit (I’ve heard this before somewhere) and are sent into exile to rebuild a new City overlooking the Silk Road. While there, Huo An crosses paths with a small Roman legion who’ve gone AWOL, led by their fearless leader, Lucius (John Cusack). Huo An and Lucius come together in an agreement that sees Lucius granted shelter and food and in return the Roman legion will help finish the City. There’s some fun back and forth between the two groups as they playfully duel to show off their skills as well as bonding over their mutual respect for each others’ traditions and values. It’s a playful part of a film that is ultimately a serious affair. When a treacherous Roman leader, Tiberius (Adrien Brody) reaches the City walls, it’s up to Huo An and his eclectic band of warriors to decide whether they will stand alongside their new Roman friends, or attempt to keep peace as they have so often sworn to do.
With so many varying armies within the film it becomes quite difficult to remember who’s siding with who and, outside of Chan and Cusack, who exactly we should be cheering for. There’s no doubting the film’s impressive set-pieces, credit of course goes to Jackie Chan here doubling up as Action Director as well as starring in the film as our hero. The one-on-one fight scenes and climatic battle are hugely impressive and that’s what the film hangs it hat on. After that though, everything becomes a bit lackluster. Neither Brody nor Cusack particularly impress, though they aren’t awful either. Brody plays menacing and cunning well while Cusack’s grounded style plays well with Huo An’s peaceful nature. Jackie Chan is by far the stand-out performer though, not just because of his natural charismatic, often comical style during fight scenes, but he brings the added emotion he clearly harbours, which often has to leave behind in most of his Hollywood films and, I dare say, it’s a return to form for the seasoned star.
The script and story however are a little flat during the non-action parts of the film and, with a run time of 1 hour and 45 minutes, that’s a lot of dullness to have to sit through and it gives the film a real topsy turvy feel, making the inconsistency of the film noticeable throughout. Ultimately, Dragon Blade will likely have you at odds between the action and the story. It’s sure to divide opinions across the board.
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