“Kiss of the Dragon” (2001)
“Kiss of the Dragon” (2001)
“Kiss of the Dragon” is a high-octane action thriller set in Paris, blending martial arts with a gripping narrative of betrayal, corruption, and redemption.
Liu Jian (Jet Li), a skilled Chinese intelligence agent, is sent to Paris to assist in an undercover operation targeting a ruthless drug lord. The mission quickly goes awry when Liu is framed for murder by his French counterpart, Inspector Richard (Tchéky Karyo), a corrupt and sadistic police officer with a hidden agenda.
Hunted by the authorities, Liu must navigate the treacherous streets of Paris to clear his name. Along the way, he encounters Jessica (Bridget Fonda), an American woman forced into prostitution by Richard, who is using her daughter as leverage. Jessica becomes an unlikely ally in Liu’s quest for justice.
The film is punctuated by intense, expertly choreographed fight scenes that showcase Jet Li’s martial arts prowess. Using minimal dialogue but maximum action, Liu takes on an army of adversaries in his mission to expose Richard’s corruption and rescue Jessica’s daughter.
The title refers to a secret acupuncture technique Liu employs during the climax, “The Kiss of the Dragon,” which delivers a fatal and irreversible strike. This ultimate move is both a poetic
