Dragon Inn
by Hark Tsui, Raymond Lee, Siu-Tung Ching
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brigitte Lin, Donnie Yen, Maggie Cheung, Shi-Kwan Yen, Tony Leung Ka FaiDirector: Hark Tsui, Raymond Lee, Siu-Tung Ching
Cinematographer: Arthur Wong
Producer: Hark Tsui
Writer: Hark Tsui
Writer: Cheung Tan
Writer: Xiao He
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Chinese (Original Language); English (Dubbed)
Format: Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Running Time: 103 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-03-13
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Tai Seng
Movie Reviews of Dragon Inn
Movie Review: A standout example of Hong Kong 90's cinema. Newcomers to the genre may not like it though...
Summary: 5 Stars
This glorious and swirling spectacle has to be seen to be believed. It is surely one of the most audacious and visually stunning films of the 90's Hong Kong glory days. It's a perfect representation of the most prolific and fertile period of one of the world's great cinema traditions. It doesn't transcend the genre, for that you'd have to go to Drunken Master II, or Fist of Legend, or Tai Chi Master--those films truly go beyond. But Dragon Inn is a perfect representation of the genre with many delights: the cast of 4 great actors, the partnership of Tsui Hark and Ching Tsiu Tung with Yuen Bun, the dizzying battles and equally dizzying comedy, all make for essential viewing.
That being said, casual viewers who aren't already major fans of Hong Kong cinema need to know is that this movie/DVD has some limitations that don't translate very well for those who aren't used to them. First off, you have to realize that this movie was made on a budget of a few million dollars. The look, sound, special effects, etc., just cannot compare to a Hollywood movie. In a nutshell, if you come at this with expectations of Hollywood production values, you are just going to be laughing at this low-budget affair.
Second, back in the day in HK, they apparently didn't do much to preserve the prints of the films. It's not just the transfer of the film--the actual original film looks TERRIBLE-- I saw it in the theater soon after it was released and it looked exactly as it does on the DVD: grainy, blurry, and full of snap crackle and pop. It's just something you have to deal with when watching movies from Hong Kong made in the 80's and 90's.
Third, another quirk of Hong Kong moviemaking at this time was that the movies were shot without sound, and then the voice acting was recorded and dubbed in later, along with all the other sounds, which were likewise recorded in a studio. So...in many parts of the movie, the lip syncing is completely out of whack. The entire "soundscape" of the movie is very obviously pasted over the film and is very hollow-sounding to modern ears, requiring a mental adjustment on the part of the viewer.
Also tough for the uninitiated viewer to see for the first time will be the shots that are "undercranked"--filmed a little faster than normal--to enhance the action, and the wire-born acrobatics that defy all physical laws. Finally, the wacky characters, innocent romance, comedy of manners, and slapstick humor that dominate the middle section of the film will strike the uninitiated as tiresome and silly.
Ok, but, that's it for the disclaimers. For hardcore HK film fans, and for anyone open to the experience, this movie is an absolute pleasure. The music, camera work, cinematography, sets, and action choreography are just stunning. The acting and chemistry, especially by Maggie Cheung and Brigitte Lin, is marvelous. One of the true highlights of all HK film history has to be Maggie and Brigitte's high-flying Kung-Fu battle in which they try to steal the clothing off each others' bodies. And the epic final battle is simply out of control and outrageous. There's a scene in which 4-5 characters are having running downhill battle in a sandstorm that is so audacious and perfectly filmed, you may wet your pants. By the time Donnie Yen, as an utterly hate-worthy eunuch, get his final comeuppance, your jaw will be laying on the floor.
In conclusion, fans, don't wait to see this- it is a must-watch. Newcomers- you've been warned!
PS Don't bother with the audio commentary by Ric Meyers. the commentary is juvenile, asinine, and barely informative.
Summary of Dragon Inn
In the ming dynasty (1368-1644 a.D.) the secret police-like eunuches are the true leaders. The evil eunuch tsao had vowed to eliminate the rebels led by chow and his lover yau who retreated to the desolate dragon inn run by the seductive double-crossing jade. Studio: Tai Seng Entertainment Release Date: 08/23/2005 Starring: Brigitte Lin Tony Leung Ka-fai Run time: 103 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Raymond LeeSimilar DVD Movies
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