Today’s Prayer Focus

Dragon Blade

also known as “Tian jiang xiong shi,” “Tiān Jiāng Xióng Shī,” “天將雄獅”

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA)

for bloody violence.

Moral Rating:	not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:	Adults
Genre:	War History Action Adventure Drama
Length:	2 hr. 7 min.
Year of Release:	2015
USA Release:	September 4, 2015 (limited—5 theaters) and VOD (wide)

Relevant Issues

war in the Bible

What is the Biblical perspective on war? Answer

FILM VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer

swords

Romans

Featuring	Jackie Chan … Huo An John Cusack … Lucius Adrien Brody … Tiberius Si Won Choi … Yin Po Peng Lin … Cold Moon Mika Wang … Xin Qing Yang Xiao … Captain Taili Wang … Rat Tin Chiu Hung (Sammy Hung) … Red Sun Shaofeng Feng (William Feng) … General Huo Qubing See all » Sharni Vinson … Lady Crassus Lorie Pester … Parthian Queen Xiang Dong Xu … Secretary Qing Xiu … Wolf Sung-jun Yoo (Steve Yoo) … Cougar Tomer Oz … Huo An General Vanness Wu … Christian Kar Yan Lam (Karena Lam) … Karena Jozef Waite (Jozef Liu Waite) … Publius Ned Bellamy … Octavius Jim Bennett (James Ambrose Bennett) … Stallus Paul Philip Clark … Tufus Philippe Joly … Decimus Joel Adrian (Joel Adrian Slaatto) … Sertor Danny Salay (Daniel John Salay) … Paullus Brahim Achabbakhe (Brahim) … Titus David Peck … Agrippa Emrah Yilmaz … Kroraina General (voice)
Director	Daniel Lee — “14 Blades” (2010), “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon” (2008)
Producer	Sparkle Roll Media Huayi Brothers Media See all » Shanghai Film Group Home Media and Entertainment Fund Tencent Video China Film and TV Capital Alibaba Group Visualizer Film Company Jackie and JJ Productions
Distributor	Lionsgate Premiere (Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.)

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “A massive success this year in its native China, ‘Dragon Blade’ brings action spectacle on a grand scale to U.S. audiences. Featuring an international cast led by Jackie Chan, John Cusack and Academy Award® winner Adrien Brody, the film features the fight for the Silk Road when East and West collide.

When corrupt Roman leader Tiberius (Adrien Brody) arrives with a giant army to claim the Silk Road, Huo An (Jackie Chan) and his group of trained warriors teams up with an elite legion of defected Roman soldiers led by General Lucius (John Cusack) to maintain the delicate balance of power in the region. To protect his country and his new friends, Huo An gathers the warriors of 36 ethnic nations together to fight Tiberius in an incredible epic battle.

The film is written and directed by Daniel Lee (‘Black Mask’) and produced by Jackie Chan and Susanna Tsang.”

Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

Movie Critics

…a screenplay filled with modern resonance… “Dragon Blade” is perhaps one of the more measured Jackie Chan blockbusters to have emerged in recent years. While the star’s acrobatic action sequences remain eye-catching as ever…

Clarence Tsui, The Hollywood Reporter

…There are alliances and betrayals aplenty, but writer/director Daniel Lee seems more concerned with establishing and maintaining an epic look and feel than in providing cohesion to the narrative (lots of wide, aerial shots of that city under and after construction). His screenplay relies far too often on flashbacks to fill in plot and emotional gaps. … [2]

Mark Dujsik, RogerEbert.com

…the visuals alone are both jaw-dropping …puts every penny to good use in detailing war-torn China of the Han Dynasty. …It's tough to get over that you're watching Chan in a sword duel with Cusack because it's both ridiculous and awesome at the same time. …Put into a historical context, the film is about as accurate as Zack Snyder's “300”, meaning not at all. … [3/5]

Examiner.com

…“Dragon Blade” delivers on its promise of sprawling battle scenes, intriguing culture clashes and budding bromances, where its giddily high concept and unlikely casting may so easily have seen it fail. Nevertheless Hong Kong writer-director Daniel Lee (“14 Blades,” “White Vengeance”) never quite achieves the epic grandeur for which he so clearly strives. …

James Marsh, Screen Daily

…historical context doesn't really matter here; it's grist for another sword-and-sandal mill that's rich in slumming actors who've been ludicrously cast against type for their supposed international marquee value, and who're primarily charged with standing against vast landscapes that are so obviously computer-augmented as to resemble the animation that might've appeared in the narrative sections of a 20-year-old video game. …

Chuck Owen, Slant magazine

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