Customer Reviews

Dragon Inn

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased Dragon Inn because I liked Brigette Lin's performnace in The Bride with White Hair. She does an excellent job in this film too.

Dragon Inn follows the plight of a group of freedom fighters trying to rescue the fugitive children of an executed official. The childeren are really nothing more than bait to lure Brigette Lin and her band into a trap where a power hungry unich (Donnie Yen) tries to kill them. When the ambush fails the group escapes to the dry desert where they stop at Maggie Chun's Inn. While at the Inn there are several power struggles between the freedom fighters and the evil unichs until the finale. Maggie Chun plays the opportunistic owner of the Inn and puts an interesting twist into the story. I don't want to give the whole story away, but I will say that there is both kung fu and swordplay in this film. Both are done well.

All in all Dragon Inn is an excellent balance between action and a good story line. The action scenes actually have purpose and make sense to the story.

I'd also like to mention that the English dubbed version on the DVD in done well, if you don't like subtitles, and there's also a Mandrian and Cantonese audio version. Ric Meyers also includes an audio commentay which sheds some interesting light on the satire of the film. Apparently most of the characters and situations were a partial satire on the pre mainland China take over of Hong Kong. If you listen to the commentary you'll see what I mean.

Dragon Inn is one of the best Kung Fu films available on DVD. If you're a martial arts fan, or you just want to expirement, add Dragon Inn to your collection. Everyone who's watched my copy has enjoyed it so far, including my wife.

Dragon Inn is under the background of the Ming dynasty, when the eunuches dominated in the state affairs. The opposing vassals were purged and the reign was corrupt. After a loyal vassal, who was to eliminate the interference of the eunuches, was persecuted by the eunuches, his underlings (played by Tony Leung and Brigitte Lin) tried to preserve his heirs. But the eunuches' secret police are everywhere within the pale, therefore they had to take the children towards the west deep into the desert, beyond the eunuches' reach. Before they could go through the last pass at the border, they stayed in the dragon inn to seek the help from the inn keeper to get through the pass while the enouches were pursuing. The keeper, Jin Xiang Yu (played by Maggie Cheung) was an opportunist woman, killing the lodgers and after the money, but able to get information and having close connections with both local officals and gangs. While the fugitives were waiting in the inn, the van of the eunouches arrived. The desert storm arrived to prevent anyone from leaving the inn, the strengths of both sides are equal and held with each other tightly with intrigue psychological battles. The tension here is extremely well portraited within the lonely inn in the stormy night of the desolate desert. When the main force of the eunuches came and thrashed the inn, the keeper decided to help the fugitives to escape......

This movie is no doubt a classic with so much to commend. The peerless cinematography set in the broad desert is just desolately charming. Maggie Cheung's performance as the inn keeper with multi-dimensional character is absolutely exquisite. The love between Tony Leung and Brigitte Lin, who became fugitives to protect the children, though not the main theme of the movie, was just touching.

I am a big fan of this type of movies and I am sure dragon is among the finest in its genre. I usually do not want to push others to watch a movie, but with an exception this time, I would like to heartfully recommend this movie to everyone.

Dragon Inn ranks high among costume martial arts films, and anyone who enjoys kooky, gravity-defying action scenes will enjoy it. The middle sags and the cannibalism subplot doesn't add much, but the battle at the end during a sandstorm is a must-see, as well as a beautifully balletic scene in which Brigette Lin and Maggie Cheung spar. Unfortunately, this "remastered" DVD is really just another Tai Seng rush job with a really grainy picture. It doesn't look much better than VHS. This movie deserves better.

A powerful and evil eunuch played by Donnie Yen sends his minions in pursuit of Bridgette Lin and Tony Leung, who flee in the desert and get stranded at Dragon Inn along with minions of Yen who don't know (but are suspicious) of Lin and Luengs identity. Had a slow patch in the middle, but several very good fight scenes, especially the one at the end where one of the villians is litterally put through the grinder. David Chute said you might find yourself nodding out over the endless swordplay, but why else does anyone rent/buy a martial arts movie? Complaining about too much fighting in a martial arts movie is like complaining about getting rice with Chinese food.

This movie is my favorite kung-fu/swords movie that I own (an i do have many) Brigitte Lin is incredible in this film. She is the best HK actress of all time. This film showcases her beauty, acting, and swordsplay. She holds this movie high but not alone Tony Leung is wonderful as well as a cool, calm, and collected swordsman. Brigitte lin an Tony leung have a somewhat similar romance to Michelle Yeoh an Chow yun-fat in crouching tiger. The romance in this film though has more heart to it. Maggie Cheung is also very good in this film, as the Dragon Inn owner. Maggie, Brigitte, and Tony all play characters with a lot of depth. Donnie Yen is an OK bad guy but his talents as an actor or as a martial artist are not completely used. This film should be in every movie lovers collection it is simply a masterpiece on film.

Brigitte Lin is in her usual spectacular role as a kung fu master along with Tony Leung Ka-Fai ("Island Of Fire"). Lin is truly a great actress with "Police Story", "The Bride With White Hair", "The Bride With White Hair 2", and "Swordsman 2" to name a few impressive titles. She really is quite a martial artist on screen. She's very graceful and has a strong presence as a leading role. The amazing Donnie Yen ("Iron Monkey") is also in this film, though he's only at the beginning and end of the movie, he made his scenes effective. The last fight scene with Yen agains Lin, Leung, and Maggie Cheung ("Supercop") in the desert is quite outstanding. So venture into the desert and rest your head in the dragon inn, but beware...you might not last the night.

My favourite of all the 80's/90's swordplay flicks. In the words of Spinal Tap, "This one goes up to 11"!

The action is non-stop and the fights (particularily the big dust-ups in the titular inn) are jaw-dropping, but what really makes this movie fly are the perfect performances from Maggie Cheung and Brigitte Lin. Both of them succeed in creating (competely different) characters of immense charm and warmth, and you end up cheering for them both.

I'm happy to report that this DVD is excellent -- the picture has some scratches but the colour depth and the sound quality are both great (especially compared to the old video release), and the new subtitles make the story a lot easier to follow (oh, they're quoting poetry all the time! No wonder it was a little hard to follow).

Absolutely a must-have. One of the greatest films of all time now available in a form worth keeping.

The version I'm reviewing is the recently released "The New Dragon Gate Inn" distributed in the U.K. It's essentially the same movie.

First, some great performances here turned in from Tony Leung, Brigette Lin (of course) and Maggie Cheung. This movie is very reminiscent of "Fire Dragon" but has much better character development and pacing. Donnie Yen is not as spectacular a villain in comparison to OUATIC II, but that doesn't mean his acting isn't good in this film.

Some descent action sequences here. Frankly, I enjoyed them much more than the largely overrated "Fire Dragon". The action resembles "Swordsman 2" but doesn't go too overboard with wires.

The biggest complaint I have is that it begins too abruptly. Significant events that drive the plot are merely narrated, and become confusing due to the number of characters introduced at once. Sort of like "Dragon Chronicles" but not as bad.

Now about the DVD, it's Region 2, 1.85:1 aspect ratio (widescreen), in Mandarin with English subtitles. The subtitles are not typical HK-English and are grammatically correct. There is an interview with Donnie Yen, and some other extras to keep you busy.

If you like "Fire Dragon," then you'll love this. "Swordsman II" fans should enjoy the action, but should prepare themselves for the drama. Any HK swordplay fan will want to check this out.

I'll start with the beautiful cinematography shot in China's desert. Next, Brigitte Lin and Maggie Cheung, two of Hong Kong's most talented AND beautiful stars. Maggie is hilarious in her role as the spunky inn-keeper. The bathrobe fight scene between the two women is both sensual and funny. Brigitte, Brigitte, Brigitte...that's all I can say. Actually another outstanding performance from Ms. Lin. The fight scenes are terrific. Donnie Yen turns in a wonderfully wicked performance.
The director's cut version with Chinese audio and subtitles is the only way to view this film.

This is one of the best Kung Fu movies I have ever seen. The fight scenes were amazing and memorable. If your a Donnie Yen fan you will have to wait till the end. But when Donnie Breaks out. He breaks Out. But there is plenty of Brigitte Lin and Maggie Chung. I am so in love with Brigitte Lin. I wish she would come out of retirement. It is truly a joy to see her work.