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7 out of 9 people found the following review useful: The Greatest Martial Arts Movie Ever Made, 19 February 2003 Author: lu9603 from California
Everybody loves "Crouching Tiger", but this movie made more than 10 years ago is a much better martial arts movie. Instead of trying to be everything like "Crouching Tiger" did, it was just designed and implemented as a martial arts movie, and nothing else. This focus made it great to begin with. In addition to a stellar cast, great action scenes, its plot is solid and intriguing. The final fight is one of the greatest martial arts scenes ever made, especially to those who grew up reading Chinese martial arts novels. It is interesting that those who have a problem with the imagination of Chinese martial arts movies do not have any issue with that of "Matrix". In fact, the logic is very similar. "Matrix": with hi-tech, everything is possible, including dodging bullets; Chinese martial arts movies: with kongfu, everything is possible, including running on the roof. Having said that, I understand that those who have never read Chinese martial arts novels may have trouble with some of the scenes, especially if you are trying to find medical evidence to verify the possibility of some moves. However, this is just a movie based on a novel, so why don't you just relax and enjoy?
7 out of 10 people found the following review useful: Enjoyable but not as great as the reviews here suggest, 26 May 2003 Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
Large swathes of China are falling under the despotic rule of Cao Shao-qin as he and his merciless Black Flag riders slaughter Government officials and anyone who threatens his rule. When Cao captures the children of a murdered Lord, Zhou Huai-an mounts a rescue mission led by Qiu Moy-an. With the children and her men, Qiu meets Zhou at the Dragon Inn, owed by the outlaw Jin Xiangyu – who is only out for what she can make for herself. With the pass shut, some of Cao's men arrive at the inn sparking a stand-off between the two groups with the money-grabbing Jin in the middle. As the days pass, bad weather keep the groups in the inn while Cao and the Black Riders close in.I borrowed this film from a friend with no prior knowledge of it, so I checked out the reviews on imdb to get a taste for what it would be like. I was immediately dubious when people, who had clearly only experienced this genre by seeing `Crouching Tiger' in their multiplex, were calling it the greatest HK film ever made and other such absurd claims. Also the way in which many users have compared this to `Crouching Tiger' also suggests that that is the only benchmark they have. However I settled to watch it.For the most part I enjoyed it. The plot worked quite well in miniature and only got weak in the final 10 minutes where it just seemed to collapse into an illogical confrontation. The story is laced with humour which mostly works and has some nice touches (the teasing striptease-come-fight between Jin and Qiu was fun) but I did have a nasty taste due to some of the strong language and crudity which seemed out of place.What didn't work as well for me were the selfsame scenes that other reviewers have been raving about – the fights. In some of the scenes there are touches of clever choreography but often it is a swirling mix of arms and legs that is lost in editing that is far too quick at times to allow us to fully appreciate the moves. The final fight (which again some users have called one of the greatest fights ever filmed!) is OK but not as acrobatic or inspiring as I'd have liked – also it's gore spoils the actual action to the point where it is laughable rather than exciting. This is not to say that the fights are without merits (most of them are pretty good) but they are quite ordinary at times and lack a real imagination. They are still exciting but don't be sucked in by the gushing praise from these pages.The cast are all pretty good with some exceptions. Leung is quite sturdy and delivers a character without too much flair but prevents him from being too wooden. Donnie Yen was a disappointment for me. His role consisted mostly of two cameos – one at the start where he sit passively and the other at the end in an overly-gory fight scene which was so lost in a sand storm that his skills were not fully displayed. The two women really made the film for me –they both had different characters but also mixed it up and delivered the comedy. Maggie Cheung probably shaded it as she had the most interesting character but Lin was also very good.Overall I enjoyed the film and am not suggesting that it is a bad film – only a bit too gory for my tastes. It is lightly funny and there is plenty of swordplay but it certainly never reaches the cinematic heights of ecstasy that are alluded to by some of the reviews here.
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful: Tour de force, 4 July 2001 Author: Cool Leather Jacket from United States
This is definitely the DVD to own...(being completely disappointed and disgusted with "Ashes of Time" by Kar-wai Wong), "Dragon Inn" a film credited to Hark Tsui has restored my faith in action/martial arts fantasy films. Stunning cinematography, interesting and engaging storyline, and something that most other movies seem to lack and that is a general depth and interest for the characters. In "Dragon Inn" we actually feel and care about the protagonist and his love, and the third pawn, the beautiful owner of the Dragon Inn.The sword fighting scene is spectacular. Every movement is "balletic" in the sense of being graceful and streaming. The inclusion of "traditional period-piece music" in the scenes was euphonic. The special effects were dazzling. The cast is indeed talented, how many people out there can actually do both acting and being athletic. The triangular aura between Brigitte, Maggie and Tony ignites a spark all on its own whether its Brigitte and Tony or Maggie and Tony or even Brigitte with Maggie...its almost Freudian. Lots of action films lose their audience because the ending becomes all too predictable. The action in Dragon Inn does not disappoint and doesn't lose any integrity with the audience from the beginning to the finale. Furthermore, the power of the Dragon Inn is that suddenly we realize that we are connected...Wow...
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: True cinema magic, 2 September 2007 Author: (winner55) from United States
One of the most beautiful of Hong Kong's 'New wave' sword-fight films, "Dragon Inn" has virtually nothing wrong to be said for it. A dark Romantic tragedy over-layered with a romantic comedy almost as dark, and filled with living breathing characters brilliantly portrayed by an excellent cast; still, the film's primary asset is its breathtaking imagery and carefully subdued (given the material) editing. You never have any doubt as to where your eye should light, nor are you ever disappointed.After viewing any narrative film, we have the right to ask ourselves, "did I go any interesting places here? did I meet any interesting people? did I see anything I could not have seen otherwise?" The answers for this film are: "yes, yes, and again yes" Although this is not a 'magic kung fu' film, yet there is magic in virtually every frame. It takes us to another world and introduces us to interesting people, and then, when the end comes, it simply says 'adieu' and the film closes and we are home again - but far better informed on the nature of the world, and of the human heart, than we would be other wise.True cinema magic, and certainly one of the best of its kind - perhaps one of the best of any kind.
5 out of 8 people found the following review useful: The no. 1 in HK martial arts movies., 5 December 2004 Author: Dave Chan from Rotterdam, The Netherlands
I saw this movie once as a 15 year old kid during a holiday in Hong Kong. Still, I will never forget the feeling I had then: absolutely stunning, the guys at school should see this, the best I've ever seen, there's nothing in the world that can beat this one. And after all these years, I haven't seen anything that reached the level of New Dragon Inn and gave me that wonderful, heart pounding feeling. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Hero are okay, but absolutely not comparable with this real Hong Kong martial arts classic. New Dragon Inn is absolutely on the list the next time I go to Hong Kong (I only want the original Cantonese version). There are a lot of people who won't understand the feeling a good martial arts movie can give you, but that doesn't matter. I know it's Hong Kong's no. 1 in the kung fu category. Absolutely.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: A re-make of the King Hu classic, 14 April 2002 Author: abentenjo from Swindon, UK
Superb reworking on the 1966 King Hu classic that pays greater homage to the old-fashioned swashbuckling epics of Hong Kong's yesteryear rather than a cash-in on the new wave crop: this is meatier than its contemporaries and offers expert choreography and top-notch performances throughout. Tsui Hark produces this historical affair, a costume drama detailing the plight of resistance fighter Zhou Huaian (Leung) and partner Qiu Moyan (Lin), relentlessly headhunted by evil eunuch Cao Shao-qiu (Yen), a powerful so-and-so and hottest contender for supreme control of the Imperial court. Zhou is his latest obstacle that deserves elimination and so he lures his orphan children into a trap, which summarily backfires and the resistance take up refuge at the isolated Dragon Gate Inn, situated in the middle of the desert. Cheung plays the delightful innkeeper in a light hearted and flirtatious manner, and truly shines in the role, however there are few comedic touches: the movie is dark and sinister due to its restrictions to the Inn, yet the action is lavish and radical, culminating in that legendary Gobi desert finale that'll just blow your socks clean off.
Decent 90s Wuxia Pian but pales compared to the original, 16 July 2008 Author: amarcordian from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Having seen the original masterpiece that this is a remake of (King Hu's Dragon Inn, possibly Hong Kong's biggest hit of 1967) I was bound to be disappointed. It doesn't match the original's cinematography or epic feel, but if you are interested in early 90s wuxia pian, this is worth a look.It has an all star cast: Brigitte Lin (been a fan since Swordsman 2), Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung and Donnie Yen - some of THE biggest names in 90s era Hong Kong. Brigitte and Tony play unrequited lovers and rebels who are trying to protect the children from their father's killer, the evil eunuch (played by Donnie Yen) who runs the East Chamber, sort of the KGB of the era and the real power behind the throne. They are hiding at the Dragon Inn, which is located out in the desert, on the border with Mongolia. Maggie Cheung plays the disreputable innkeeper who appears to be playing both sides for maximum profit, but, to add complications, she falls in love with Tony Leung's character.Some other reviewers have described this film as being more "serious" than most kung fu flicks from the early 90s, but there is still a few silly and bizarre elements, especially concerning the lusty innkeeper and her Mongolian butcher boy (hint: there is not a lot of livestock in the desert). However, the way in which the butcher boy comes in handy in the final fight against the evil eunuch should bring out some surprised guffaws.
Very Good, 20 November 2005 Author: hengir from London, England
This film is beautiful to look at with lots of furious sword fighting and spectacle and colour that sometimes takes the breath away. Mainly set in the Dragon Inn where plot and counterplot keep the story moving, a simple enough tale of two fleeing children and their protectors. There is humour as well as drama.The acting is first class. Maggie Cheung as the inn keeper is great, one of her best film performances surely. Spirited and sly and sympathetic she is the centre of the film. She is a survivor. Brigitte Lin and Tony Leung are good too as the children's main protectors who in contrast to Cheung play it quiet and steadfast. They have a mission. Mix these together with a gallery of interesting supporting characters and you have a fascinating film.As well as the action there are other great scenes. The scene between Lin and Cheung that starts off with one having no clothes on and the other fully dressed develops in a humorous but charming way. The last fight scene is shocking but gripping. There is also a lovely moment when Lin and Leung, by arrangement, meet up at the Inn. She looks at him and he looks at her, then he touches her cheek. In one brief moment of quietness volumes are spoken. You know their history. This subtlety is quite alien to Hollywood.If you like this kind of film it's a treat.
Uneven, but great fun all the same., 22 August 2002 Author: kurtisroth from St. Louis, USA
DRAGON INN exibits the same great production values of every Tsui Hark film. It's a good movie all around, with some truly enjoyable performances by a stellar cast.What both makes and breaks it is the shaky balance between the bulk of the film and its climax. The first 95% is rock solid. The last 5% goes off the deep end, in a crazy, supernatural gorefest fight between Donnie Yen and the varied protagonists. Film school diehards will want their money back. HK film fanatics will sit there in astonishment for a few moments -- then start laughing and cheering. It's truly insane, and I love it.My only knock: not enough Donnie Yen.But there are other films for that.
Last of few good Fantasy Martial Movies, 26 February 2001 Author: huj from Ann Arbor
"Dragon Inn", or "New Dragon Gate Inn", was last of the few good fantasy martial movies in which wire works are minimal. I personally am not a big fan of wire works depends on how they are done. Swordman II, a better known movie in which Brigitte Lin was in, had such wire works in inappropriate places. Dragon Inn showed off martial skills of Brigitten Lin and Tony Leung in ways that you can't believe. Yes, people jump to high places and at least they don't fly around all over the place. I like that kind of wire works.I enjoy climatic battles and Dragon Inn delivered it with excellence. The last major battle was all skills and no cheese. And of course, Brigitte Lin can only be described as being "VERY COOL" in this film. In case you don't already know, she is my favorite Asian actress of all time. Even she showed off her choreographed martial skills. You won't believe that this film was made a long time ago, 1992. Please watch it, it is witty and story driven. You won't be disappointed.
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