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 well made and entertaining romp through period China. Obviously influenced by western "Big Bang" film styles exemplified by the likes of Indiana Jones and Robert Downey Jnr's Sherlock Holmes, the movie demonstrates that Asian directors can produce blockbuster type epics with the same skill as those from the US. Great sets, a maze-like plot, an interesting cast of characters, and plenty of action make for an enjoyable 2 hours of escapist Saturday matinee type of viewing.

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).

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.

Several years ago, I began reading Robert Van Gulick's outstanding series of Judge Dee novels. Judge Dee is somewhat akin to Sherlock Holmes in China -- extremely popular. If you're interested, a Wikipedia search for "Judge Dee stories" will get you started. The movie itself is a mystery story set in ancient China. Very well acted and directed with top production values from front to back. Image and sound quality are outstanding. The special features are worth watching as well. If you like a good mystery that holds your attention, has great character development, is filled with action, and keeps you guessing down to the last -- look no further! Highly recommended! And, yes, the books are excellent as well.

First of all the price for this dvd was amazing I had to buy it and it came as expected and in excellent condition. The movie itself is something to behold. The best way to describe it is a whodunit story during the Tang Dynasty that is beautifully written and wonderfully portrayed, yet it has a slight comedic aspect that is not over the top and adds to the film. I would buy it again and I'm so glad I did.

I love any movie with Andy Lau. This one is great, I never read the book that this is based on but for the price (I bought used) it is a great film. I have a ton of Chinese movies though so I know how some people are critical of films that are not American made and then there are people who hate subtitles. The subtitles are more accurate than dubbing so if you hate subtitles this may not appeal to you.

面白い。ところどころ安いCGとか演出がありますが、本編に悪影響を及ぼすものではありません。何でしょうか、映画というより、日本のアニメや漫画に近い面白さです。何かマニア心がくすぐられる映画でした。

Always give substantial a chance. I guarantee the story will be that much more poignant and moving then the dubbed over version. Don’t know why, but something is always lost when Japanese & Chinese movies are dubbed over in English. And it is not just the mismatch of mouth movements and spoken words. Feeling, emotion, even your own empathy for the characters is diluted. Also English versions always seem to cut parts out for no sane reason and destroy the intent of the story.

If you enjoy fast paced action movies this will not disappoint, but it is also so much more and works on a number of different levels. I frequently find that good Asian historical movies have considerable depth and philosophical content and Detective Dee also ticks this box, but it also works exceptionally well as a 'whodunnit' and the central role of a 200 foot statue also adds considerable spectacle to the movie. You care about the characters in this movie thanks to the brilliant actors, director and script and unfortunately not all of them make it through the film and some come to sometimes grisly and unexpected ends, but it is never gratuitious and works well within the plot. Striding through the movie with nobility, wit, humour and some of the fastest action moves in the business is Andy Lau who is fast becoming my favourite actor in these sorts of films alongside Jet Li. He makes Dee a complex, three dimensional character with the mind of Sherlock Holmes and unsurpassable fighting abilities combined with an inherent sense of right and wrong. In every film I've seen him in Andy Lau just seems to get better and better and this I think is now my favourite Andy Lau movie. It's easy to praise a film, but I think one of the real tests of how much you enjoy a film is how quickly you are keen to watch it again and in this case I've already watched Detective Dee twice all the way through in the space of four days and given the nature of the plot I found I got even more out of the film second time around and I would be happy to watch it again. Detective Dee has all the high production values you would expect in a hollywood blockbuster, but with more fast moving and more jaw dropping action sequences. It also has all the Eastern philosophy you would expect and a great plot and is a great whodunnit. I can't praise it enough and if you are in two minds about buying this DVD don't hesitate. Just buy it. You will not be disappointed!

“Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame” is a spectacle to be-hold in my view, why can’t people just sit-down and enjoy what they see,come-on now people,it wasn’t that bad, you have action to replace what is known as a story,every movie contain one even if it’s as lame as others,it still is one last time I check, I Love It No Matter What...

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