Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

Tsui Hark, founder of Film Workshop and producer and director of some of Hong Kong's best cinema once again delivers outstanding Asian entertainement. This review is about the so-called Director's Cut DVD, ASIN 7885142604. This award nominated Detective Dee story is a 7th century Chinese period combination of wuxia, mystery, drama and thriller.The Detective Dee character is based on Di Renjie, a famous 7th century official of Empress Wu Zeitan's Zhou Dynasty court. This story is based on one of a series of Judge Dee novels. The semi-fictional accounts of Judge Dee are China's equivalent to Britain's Sherlock Holmes. In this Dee story, he is tasked by the soon to be coronated Empress Wu Zeitan to discover why court officials are spontaneously bursting into flame from the inside out and the threat to her imminent coronation as Emperess. In the course of his investigation, Dee uncovers a complex of conspriacies, intrigue, and historical grudges. Even Dee doesn't escape suspicion since he was banished for over 8 years for his opposition to Empress Wu's ascension.Excellent plot, scripting, direction and acting with outstanding production weaves an entertaining film that deserves the awards for which it was nominated. The cast includes some of the best Asian actors with Andy Lau in the title role and supporting cast including Carina Lau, Li Bingbing, Deng Chao and Tony Leung Ka-fai. You can't have a good Chinese wuxia drama thriller without some martial arts action woven in. The venerable Sammo Hung, famous martial arts expert, actor, producer and action director provides outstanding martial arts choreography.Tsui Hark can add this film to his long pedigree as director and/or producer of some of the best of Asian cinema. Harks pedigree includes directing Time And Tide and Seven Swords; directing and producing Once Upon A Time In China I through V and A Better Tomorrow III; and producing the John Woo greats A Better Tomorrow, A Better Tomorrow II and The Killer.

This review is intended for the standard DVD version of Detective Dee and The Mystery of the Phantom Flame.1. Firstly, I wanted to remark that the associations I've seen for this film to be likened to a mashup of the (2009)Sherlock Holmes and (2003) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon to be surprisingly apt. I'm not necessarily pleased about the reality of that, but I do think it's accurate.2. I am a huge fan of the Judge Dee adaptations and original works written by Robert Hans van Gulik. As noted elsewhere, this movie is a sizeable departure from what makes those stories great. That having been said...3. This film is great. I love adaptations that do rediculous things (historically or otherwise), and this one has it all. Andy Lau is a terrific, energetic and careful interpretation of Dee, IMHO. I am very thankful that there is a plot, and a storyline that isn't rendered impotent with qualifiers, inadequate explanations, etc. Most of the non-scenic CGI is distracting and unhelpful, but I would say the same about every film I've seen this year. It was fun for me to see how the traditional folklore elements were woven in. Several supporting players are fantastic, including Carina Lau.4. This film is very different from the plodding and thoughtful (1974) Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders (ABC Circle Films), but that film is amazing also (with Jeremy Kagan directing and an amazing cast). This other film is more in line with the van Gulik works... but lacks the vitality (largely because of the nature of the story) that is part of the Dee persona.I think this is a fantastic "go-to-the-movies" popcorn film.

A Hong Kong version of a summer blockbuster, this one is an enjoyable ride, as long as you don't approach with strict logic in mind. As in most wuxia flicks, the combatants can fly, leap, run, spin, etc., with an unearthly grace, and in defiance of physics, but this one has the added benefit that it is a type of Sherlock Holmes film, with the detective always two or three steps ahead of everyone else. Lots and lots of CGI, most of it well done, but all of it fairly obviously unreal, but as well some surprisingly effective performances, and just enough depth of character to keep us interested. The only mis-step here is the ending, which, like many HK films, allows space for a sequel – though in fact, Andy Lau did not show up for a sequel, the producers instead opting for a "prequel" with a different actor – when the logic of the script itself clearly indicates a full-stop ending. I will say no more at the risk of spoiling things.

This is a fun, gorgeous, atmospheric film. I don't know how many movies there are that combine a terrific wuxia narrative with a fun detective story, but this must be one of the best examples. Andy Lau (who was so good in Infernal Affairs and House of Flying Daggers) is terrific, as is Li Bing Bing (who's great in everything). I don't remember if this ever played in US theaters, but I'm so happy to have found it on blu-ray. The practical sets and period costumes are beautiful. The CG is clunky at times, but the movie as a whole still looks great. It doesn't take itself too seriously and is entertaining throughout. Highly recommended.

I wound up with sub-titles (I don't know if there is a film dubbed in English) but I didn't mind. Actually, I know about the REAL "Judge Dee", a magistrate in the 700s. Mystery books written by former Dutch Ambassador to China, Robert Van Gulik are all about the celebrated "Chinese Sherlock Holmes." Of course, the books present a very different Dee, but the story was interesting and kept my attention and, in fact, I didn't mind the sub-titles once I got into the film. The special effects were very good and the physically impossible martial arts moves were kept to a minimum. The acting was good, the scenery and costumes superb. This is one of those few films I will enjoy watching again (and again).