Kiss of the Dragon

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA)

for strong violence, language, some sexuality and drug content.

Moral Rating:	Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:	Adults
Genre:	Action
Length:	1 hr. 40 min.
Year of Release:	2001
USA Release:	July 6, 2001

Relevant Issues

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Featuring	Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tcheky Karyo, Laurence Ashley, Burt Kwouk
Director	Chris Nahon
Producer	Happy Walters, Luc Besson, Jet Li, Steve Chasman
Distributor	20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: (from the producer) Jet Li plays Liu Jiuan, a mysterious operative who travels from Shanghai to Paris on a mission so sensitive, the details are unclear even to him. A few clues lead Liu to Jean-Pierre Richard, a brutal Frenchman with a small army to back him up. When the mission goes horribly wrong, Liu falls into a deadly trap and becomes embroiled in a vast conspiracy—accused of a murder he didn’t commit, on the run in a city he doesn’t know. When Liu is thrown together with an American woman forced into prostitution, the unlikely duo goes up against the cunning and ruthless adversary who set this trap in motion.

Jet Li’s moves were awesomely good… me being a big Jet Li fan since young had to go and see this movie.Unfortunately… I was disappointed with the sex content there was in the movie. Well, there wasn’t any heavy nudity but the prostitutes were semi-nude and that’s bad enough. I did love the action though. This ain’t a good family movie… so, I guess you better not take your kids to see this.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 3]

Grace Koh, age 17

Well, OK, this isn’t a movie I—as a Christian Believer—should be even seeing—but I have to admit it was kinda fun. Watch out when you leave the theater, ’cause you’ll catch yourself doin’ the kung fu stance in the parking lot. Basically, it’s a Western, and it’s full of cartoonish violence and evil bad guys of the Dick Tracy variety. But Jet Li is skilled at what he does, and after suffering through the idiotic romances of recent flicks such as Pearl Harbor, it was nice to see some basic archetypes reeled out on the silver screen with no great brain cell action needed. Basically, moral and honorable good guy wins, rescues girl, defeats dreadful bad guy. Lots of action. Get a big bag of popcorn. don’t take the youngsters because there was some explicit sexual material, but, the movie was basically John Wayne in our Brave New World.
My Ratings: [Average / 4]

Richard Schmitz, age 45

I thought that this was an okay movie, everything was real tight, except for that uncalled for sex part about the hooker. I found that and the language somewhat offensive. As a born again Christian I thought that that was uncalled for.but the fight scenes were very excellent and cool. It was a great storyline though.
My Ratings: [Average / 3]

Anonymous, age 17

This was a very entertaining film, but the sexuality at the beginning was not necessary. Jet Li gives a good performance and there are lots of good action scenes! Lots of bad language, though. Not for kids.
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 4½]

Adam, age 18

My wife and I went to see this movie on opening day, and enjoyed the fight choreography so much that we went back to see it the next day! As a martial arts instructor and a Jet Li fan, I looked forward to this movie and was not disappointed on the abilities of Jet Li. a suprisingly humble man whom I have met and had the opportunity to train with on several occasions. However, I was disappointed in the sexuality that was quite blatant (only in the opening scene) and the amount of Hardcore Rap music that provided the backdrop of the movie. The language was offensive to a point, but realistically was coming from the bad guy who was masterfully played off as probably the “scuzziest bad guy in action movie history.” So that kind of language coming from him is believable. I would not recommend this movie for children or anyone who is not a martial arts fan. If you are a fan or a Martial Artist yourself, then you will definitely enjoy watching Jet Li’s skill and choreography.
My Ratings: [Average / 4]

Christian, age 29

Movie Critics

…Some of the violence and the opening sequence, where another prostitute seduces a Chinese drug kingpin, are too explicit…

Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide

…a half-decent example of its kind…

The Globe and Mail

…many gross, bloody deaths and behavior that is reckless to the point of insanity…

Nell Minow, The Movie Mom

…at least 27 “f” words… Violence is listed as extreme…

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