Martial arts acupuncture? In Kiss of the Dragon, Jet Li needles people into submission with the lightning speed of his explosive and elegant fighting style. Jet Li in action always radiates intensity, confidence, sexuality and a "never-say-die" philosophy.

Although short on plot, this movie features fight scenes galore. Call it "Jet Li Goes to Paris." The Chinese government sends elite Beijing police agent Li to assist Inspector Richard (Tcheky Karyoa) in busting a Chinese drug lord, unaware that Richard went rogue and now leads a clutch of corrupt cops. Li awaits Richard in a four-star Paris hotel kitchen, while the latter bashes a guy to death.

Wiping off his bloody hands, Richard greets Li in a smarmy and condescending tone. Richard confiscates Li's passport and gun. He nicknames Li "Johnny," to avoid pronouncing Li's Chinese name. At least Richard withholds the coup de grace -- insulting Jet Li's French.

Li, however, hides an ace up his sleeve. Watch for the camera shot of Li's wrist when Richard's men frisk him. You discover soon enough what the band holds.

Richard's plan for Li quickly unfolds. The bust turns into murder. Richard, using Li's gun, shoots and kills the drug kingpin -- actually Richard's partner -- and one of two prostitutes. (Useful tip: never tell a prostitute, "Take me to heaven.") Richard explains the frame-up to Li and attempts to kill him. Li eludes him and manages to grab a surveillance tape showing Richard offing the victims. Richard and his men chase Li throughout the hotel. The martial arts master fights the bad guys and stages a spectacular escape down a laundry chute. A city-wide manhunt begins.

But wait! Li always needs to rescue someone. Enter Bridget Fonda, a down and out, once-innocent kid, now heroin addict, from North Dakota. Richard holds her daughter hostage, forcing Bridget to work the streets with his other "girls." As the other prostitute that night at the hotel, she knows Richard killed the kingpin. (Bridget hid in the bathroom during all the action.) Of course, Bridget hooks outside the Chinese shrimp-cracker safe house where Li hides. She and Li "hook" up. He plans to use her as a witness. She refuses unless Li saves her kid.

Be honest. A Jet Li movies exists for the fight scenes. Who needs drama when Jet Li surmounts high odds and wins the fights -- even against a squadron of cops in a martial arts class? As for the acupuncture, Li sticks people with needles throughout the film. He saves his best acupuncture attack for Richard. Wonder what "Kiss of the Dragon" means? Richard finds out and gets the point.

Lynn I. Miller

Click here to share your views.