The One (2001)

Director:

James Wong

Writers (WGA):

Glen Morgan (written by) &
James Wong (written by)

Release Date:

2 November 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

What if there was a killer traveling through parallel worlds...and he looked just like you? [taken from the trailer]

Plot:

A sheriff's deputy fights an alternate universe version of himself who grows stronger with each alternate self he kills.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Escape | Prison | Arrest | Police Officer

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Jet Li	...	Gabe Law / Gabriel Yulaw / Lawless
Carla Gugino	...	T.K. Law / Massie Walsh
Delroy Lindo	...	MVA Agent Harry Roedecker / Gas Station Attendant
Jason Statham	...	MVA Agent Evan Funsch
James Morrison	...	LAPD Officer Bobby Aldrich / 'A' World Inmate #1
Dylan Bruno	...	Yates
Richard Steinmetz	...	D'Antoni
Steve Rankin	...	MVA Supervisor
Tucker Smallwood	...	Prison Warden
Harriet Sansom Harris	...	Nurse Besson
David Keats	...	MRI Technician
Dean Norris	...	Sgt. Siegel
Ron Zimmerman	...	Rotten Ronnie
Darin Morgan	...	Hugo
Mark Borchardt	...	Cesar

Also Known As:

Jet Li's The One (UK)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense action violence and some language.

Runtime:

87 min | Germany:85 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Germany:16 (cut version) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38092) | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Malaysia:18SG | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | UK:15 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Germany:18 | Hungary:14 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Edison Generating Station, Redondo Beach, California, USA

Company:

Revolution Studios

Trivia:

As someone mentioned earlier, Yulaw uses xingyi quan. There is a scene in the movie where is he practicing his xingyi when he's shackled and jailed. This is a reference to the famous Xingyi master Kuo Yun Shen who did the same thing when he was jailed.

Goofs:

Continuity: When T.K. Law sees the bloody soap in the bathroom, in the close-up we see her shadow even though she is still at the door. A second later she approaches the soap and the same shot is used again.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: There is not one universe. There are many: A multiverse. We have the technology to travel between universes, but travel is highly restricted and policed. There is not one you. There are many. Each of us exists in present time, in parallel universes. There was balance in the system, but now a force exists who seeks to destroy the balance so he can become The One.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Year of the Rat (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Bodies

Flawed but One of a Kind Sci-Fi/Action/Thriller.

There is not one universe but there are many, which is multi-verse. Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li) manages to kill nearly all his alternate version of himself. He has one left to kill is Gabriel Law, who is a cop. Two Multiverse Agents (Jason Statham and Delroy Lindo) are chasing this man, who wants to kill his last universe alternate man. Yulaw becomes more powerful with each kill, he makes of his alternate universe life. Yulaw & Law must confront each other and fight each other, who becomes the one.

Directed by James Wong (Final Desniation 1 & 3) made an entertaining, tongue in cheek, sci-fi action/thriller. Jet Li is amusingly cast in this film. Which it was actually The Rock was originally cast in the film. The film has amazing special effects. Although the film is too heavy handed for some. Most will like the intriguing story. The film was a Box Office Disappointment.Carla Gugino also co-stars in three different roles.

DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (Also in Pan & Scan) with an terrific Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an running commentary track by the filmmakers, amusing featurettes and an trailer. The film could have been a little longer or could have been a little more. But the film has enough plot twists to make this film great entertainment. Do not miss this visually impressive thrill ride. Written by the director and Glen Morgan (Willard-2003). Super 35. (****/*****).