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The Defender

The Defender

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $13.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: JL with a gun...
Review: Hmmm, I have read most of the other reviews, and many of them discuss what I would say about the movie; it has its funny moments, has lots of romance, and some interesting fight scences. What I think was left out of many of the reviews was that this is one of the few times Jet Li appears with a gun. While his moves with the gun are very graceful and artistically executed, I prefer more hand to hand, physical conflict type of combat. In other words, I like the idea of an unarmed guy fighting off an armed group of bad guys (sort of like Hitman). This is still a good movie to watch for any Jet Li fans.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great Jet Li movie
Review: Hong Kong is where Jet's real movies are. After seeing Jet's three U.S. releases in the theaters, Lethal Weapon 4, Black Mask, and Romeo must Die, I must say that his stateside released movies do not even come close to the ones he made in Hong Kong. I know Black Mask was made in Hong Kong, so that is one exception. Anyways, Bodyguard from Beijing was a great movie filled with great action scenes. But what I really liked about this movie was the love story subplot between Michelle and Jet. Do not take this film as some sort of chop-socky flick because it isn't. I felt there was not enough action scenes, but the quality of the ones in the movie and the story itself makes this one great entertaining movie.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Jet Li is boring in The Defender
Review: I am a HUGE Let Li fan and I watch ever movie he releases. I usually rent it, watch it, then buy the DVD. This movie is an exception, it is not worth $1. I like Jet Li for his spectacular martial arts and unique style, especially with the great camera angles, etc.

If you'd like to see Jet Li starring in a soap opera, get this movie. If you want to see an hour of boring dialog and laughable (supposed to be serious) acting, get this movie. If you like Jet Li for the same reason I do, leave this DVD out of your collection, buy Fist of Legend or Black Mask, or ANYTHING but this!

The final fight sequences are great, but they are only 10 minutes or so of the entire movie that's worth anything. So if you don't mind spending the cash for 10 minutes of entertainment, then go for it.

The 2 stars is for the final fight sequence, otherwise I'd give it 1 star.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Go Find the Original Version, Not the Americanized One
Review: I am so tired of the current trend of taking good films from Hong Kong and Americanizing them. The Defender is a perfect example. The original title was The Bodyguard From Beijing and it was subtitled as all good HK films should be. The film is based on the American film The Bodyguard with Jet Li protraying the role of Kevin Costner and charged with protecting the female lead. Jet Li plays a Chinese military officer, and the HK Police in the film never miss a chance to poke fun at Red China - something that the newer HK films are forbidden to do. Anyway, Jet Li acts in his typical style, getting into fights and all. There's a great fight at the end of the film in a kitchen filled with a noxious gas. Jet Li and the other guy go from beating on each other to trying to get some fresh air - great HK action! There's another scene set in a mall featuring Jet Li vs. everyone! If you're looking for an action movie with a plausible storyline thrown is as well, take a look at this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jet Li In Action
Review: I dont have time right now to write a whole review, but definately - BUY THIS DVD!!!
He has movies where is a lot of mystery, i hate that. In this one - practically no mystery at all - all looks real!!!
BEST OF THE BEST !!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: JET LI IS BETTER THAN HIS OWN SELF IN THIS ONE !! YAHOO!!!
Review: I dont have time right now to write a whole review, but definately - BUY THIS DVD!!!
He has movies where is a lot of mystery, i hate that. In this one - practically no mystery at all - all looks real!!!
BEST OF THE BEST !!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jet Li at his best
Review: I had never heard of Jet Li before Lethal Weapon 4 arrived in theaters. I'm a Mel Gibson fan so I naturally watched that movie. Jet Li was in it for maybe just over a half an hour but his fantastic moves nearly stole the film away from Gibson's humorous dialogue. Afterward, I was in search of Jet Li movies. Since then, I have seen about five and The Bodyguard from Beijing is my favorite (it's about on par with Lethal Weapon 4 but that wasn't really a Jet Li film). It has everything any action fan could ask for: a decent plot, well-developed characters (as good as possible for a Hong Kong film), humorous dialogue and situations, as well as long action sequences that are absolutely breathtaking.

Ching (Jet Li) is a bodyguard from China who is assigned to protect a woman named Michelle Yeung (Christy Chung), a schoolteacher who witnessed a murder committed by a corrupt businessman. It seems she will be testifying at the trial as a witness and the businessman will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening, thus entering Ching as the man who must protect Michelle. Naturally, Michelle hates Ching the moment she sets on eyes on him, but slowly begins to fall for him despite the fact she already has a boyfriend (a very rich one, no less). Ching begins to have feelings toward her, too, and his image of a hardened bodyguard softens throughout the film.

The number one question any Hong Kong film fan will ask first about this movie is if it has any good action. Yes, Bodyguard from Beijing has some spectacular action sequences that range from shootouts to an amazing martial arts fight between Li and the main villain. The shootouts aren't typical Hollywood where the hero blasts all the villains away without breaking a sweat. In this film, Li constantly moves around (quite gracefully too) to avoid being shot and displays some excellent footwork.

Li is charismatic as usual and is very much likeable in almost all of his films. Christy Chung is far from annoying as some people seem to think, and Kent Cheng is quite hilarious.

Action fans should look for this film. It certainly wouldn't hurt to spend just over an hour and a half watching this film.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not REALLY a martial arts movie
Review: I have the american version called "The Defender." The dubbing is HORRID, but I appreciate not having to read subtitles more than most, so I put up with it. The story is quite impressive (if you can get past the despicable dubbing), which makes the action more dramatic and important. The few action sequences aren't all that stunning, but the one at the end is outstanding. Most of the action is with guns. There is a kung-fu fight at the end that is pretty cool, but they put the bad guy on a wire, so it doesn't match the rest of the movie which shows Jet Li doing all of his stunts without one (even though he really should have had one) But that is forgivable too. All in all, it's a very complete movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not REALLY a martial arts movie
Review: I have the american version called "The Defender." The dubbing is HORRID, but I appreciate not having to read subtitles more than most, so I put up with it. The story is quite impressive (if you can get past the despicable dubbing), which makes the action more dramatic and important. The few action sequences aren't all that stunning, but the one at the end is outstanding. Most of the action is with guns. There is a kung-fu fight at the end that is pretty cool, but they put the bad guy on a wire, so it doesn't match the rest of the movie which shows Jet Li doing all of his stunts without one (even though he really should have had one) But that is forgivable too. All in all, it's a very complete movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Bodyguard From Beijing
Review: I just saw this movie, only now it is called "The Defender". Excellent action scenes; however, more gun play than fighting which is Jet Li's strong point.


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