Blu-Ray Review: Dragon Blade

December 21, 2015

15_Jackie Chan as Huo An_2 — Jackie Chan as Huo An

By Maju Marfori, Reporter

You ever imagine how it would be like to live in the ancient times of China? Or how about being a Roman soldier living in Rome during its glory days? As a kid, I have always enjoyed history, martial arts and how men of that era were honorable and knew the value of life and friendship. Dragon Blade is such a film that gives you all of that and more.

John Cusack as Lucius_11 — John Cusack as Lucius

Dragon Blade follows the story of the great Silk Road of China. It was an ancient road used for trade between the east and the west. In the center of this famous trade route laid a fort that is run by the Chinese emperor, with the help of the 36 surrounding nations. Huo An, played by Jackie Chan (Drunken Master and Forbidden Kingdom), leads the great warriors that protects the Silk Road. He is a loving and caring man and is loved by all. But through a dishonorable act against him, Huo An and his men were punished and sent to the fort as hard labor to fix the walls of the fort, rather than be guardians of the Silk Road.

5_Jackie Chan and John Cusack_1 — Jackie Chan and John Cusack

Suddenly out of nowhere, Lucius, a Roman general (played by John Cusack of Con Air and Gross Pointe Blank) leads his troops to the fort. Having running away from the corrupt Roman leader Tiberius (Adrien Brody, of The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Pianist) after committing a treacherous act against the emperor. Of course, Lucius has no clue that Tiberius actually has a hidden agenda for the Silk Road. With both Huo An and Lucius forming a bonding friendship, they help one another through each other’s difficult times, as brothers.

Adrien Brody as Tiberius_13 — Adrien Brody as Tiberius

Who can’t enjoy a movie with action, love, loyalty, and some serious male bonding? The chemistry between Huo An and General Lucius in Dragon Blade is marvelous. With the direction of Director Daniel Lee (Black Mask and 14 Blades) and an international cast of Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Si Won Choi (To the Fore and She Was Pretty) and Peng Lin (Little Big Soldier), you have yourself a great movie night. If the movie is not enough and you want to see more details about the making of this film, then you’re in luck! There is a Behind the Scenes Featurette and an extended interview with the cast and crew. To top it all off, you can see Jackie Chan sing in the music video.

10_Jackie Chan and Mika Wang_1 — Jackie Chan and Mika Wang

I couldn’t stop watching Dragon Blade. With its exhilarating action, and touching moments between Huo An and Lucius. I truly enjoyed this movie. The fighting sequences were awesome and the locations that they showed were breathtaking and made me want to go visit China and the famous Silk Road. If you’re not a big fan Hong Kong style films, then I think this will help you get into the genre.