The One

Starring: Carla Gugino, Jet Li Director: James Wong Original UK Premiere: 2002 Dvd Release: 8th September, 2003 Number Of Discs: 1 Format: Closed-captioned, PAL, Widescreen, Region 2 Encoding Subtitled In: Dutch, English, Hindi

Article Index: [Background Info] [DVD Review] [Biographies] [Articles/Resources] [Link To This Article] Looking To Buy? Buy This DVD Here

The One is a fusion of Matrix-esque stylish mind-bending sci-fi thriller with the more tradition kung-fu action that we expect from Jet Li. While its action is high-octane & often looks stunning, the interdimensional plotline seems a little done before, although this film does offer a new twist...

Li plays both the villain & hero of The One. The power-hungry Yulaw is killing off his 124 alter-egos in other dimensions, one by one, absorbing their life essence in order to become The One. Having killed off 123, only Gabriel Law remains to prevent him becoming a supreme being. He too shares in Yulaws increased strength, dexterity, speed & mental capacity, & trained as a cop, a showdown is imminent. Yulaw is also being chased by two multiverse agents who track & follow him through wormholes, but now cannot risk killing him as the consequences of Gabriel becoming The One are just as unpredictably dangerous.

The plot is riddled with unexplained elements, such as just why there are only 124 different universes. Indeed all the convoluted sci-fi theory has to be discussed between Lindo & Statham, due to Lis typically wooden delivery of his lines. Nonetheless, the sci-fi element is embellished with decent dimension-hopping special effects to cover any problems, & the story is generally coherent.

The acting & dialogue is largely forgettable. Lis English & acting abilities have never been terribly strong, but he does provide a charismatic performance as Yulaw & a sympathetic one as the rather confused Gabriel. The film is also able to build up some tension through the fact both characters are dressed similarly so even the audience often becomes confused as to which of the two they are viewing . Stathams hammed up acting is slightly more convincing. Carla Gugino as Gabriels wife, T.K., evokes more sympathy from the audience, but in such a short film we never really get too close to her either.

What fans are really here to see, of course, is the action. And here the movie does deliver pretty well, especially in the opening & closing scenes. Unfortunately these bouts of action are sporadically scattered amongst a little too much sci-fi rambling, & are often a little too brief in duration. Lis usual martial arts antics are spiced up with some interesting speed-ups & slow-downs to represent Yulaws superhuman speed. However, the inevitable Li vs. Li showdown is rather disappointing, a missed opportunity. While the fight itself is adequately choreographed, it lacks any special spark. The choppy music video editing with shifting camera angles & overblown sound effects that suited the earlier gun battles & shorter fights is unwelcome here, breaking the flow of the Lis smooth fighting style.

The film always looks sci-fi stylish, but in what has now become a rather conventional & unremarkable way, using dark clothing & blue/grey lens filters . This aids the action, especially in the time-slowing sequences which look great.

The key reason that The One works is that it is unshamedly campy but utilising a big budget to create an exciting glossy surface. It never pretends to be genuinely quality cinema, it never tries to cover up its plot holes, it never tries to push Jet Lis acting, & so the sci-fi action remains thoroughly enjoyable throughout.

Carla Gugino is an actress known for her role as Ingrid Cortez in the Spy Kids movies & the title role in the TV series Karen Sisco. Born in Sarasota, Florida to an Italian - Irish father & a mother of English descent. Her mother moved the family to Paradise, California, when she was four years old. Despite moving around California a great deal as a child, Carla Gugino remained a straight-A student & graduate valedictorian. At the age of 15 she was spotted by a modeling agency in San Diego & moved to New York. This was unusual as at only 5 feet 4 inches tall, she was considered too short for runway work. Finding the experience too much, Gugino moved back to California that summer. She subsequently studied acting. Carla Gugino has appeared in many films including Snake Eyes, Judas Kiss, the three Spy Kids films & most recently as a lesbian parole officer in Sin City. Carla Gugino has also appeared in a wide range of TV programs including ALF, Doogie Howser, M,D. Saved by the Bell, Whos the Boss? & The Wonder Years & is featured in the video to Bon Jovi s 1994 song Always. Posters Of Carla Gugino

Editors Choice: Spy Kids, Judas Kiss, The One, Jaded, View DVDology

Jet Li is a martial artist & film actor. He won the Chinese Wushu national championship five times, which eventually led to a career as a martial arts movie star, first in mainland China, then in Hong Kong & now in Hollywood. He has made many movies in Hong Kong over the years. His debut in Hollywood was in Lethal Weapon 4 as a villain. His first leading role in a Hollywood movie was in Romeo Must Die. After that came Kiss of the Dragon, The One premièred in North America on November 2, 2001 & Cradle 2 the Grave premièred in North America on February 28, 2003. His latest movie to premiere in North America is Hero. the Shaolin Temple series - the films that introduced him; the Once Upon a Time in China series, about the semi-legendary Chinese folk hero; Fist of Legend, which, contrary to popular belief, was not a remake of Bruce Lee s The Big Boss, but rather of Bruce Lees Chinese Connection ; & the Fong Sai Yuk films, about another Chinese folk hero. As one might expect from a martial artist of his calibre, he performs most of his own stunts. Posters Of Jet Li

Editors Choice: The One, Cradle 2 The Grave, Hero, Kiss Of The Dragon, Romeo Must Die, Unleashed, Jet Li, Once Upon A Time In China And America, View DVDology

James Wong is a television producer & writer notable for his work on The X-Files, Space: Above & Beyond & Millennium. He often works with writing partner Glen Morgan. Wong, born in Hong Kong, China, moved to the United States with his family at age 10 to San Diego, California. During his youth, he met his future writing partner Glen Morgan at El Cajon Valley High School. Later on, he went to Loyola Marymount University, joining a comedy improv group. Originally seeking a major in engineering, he later switched to a film major after seeing Apocalypse Now in Cinerama Dome. After graduating, Wong landed a job as an assistant to Sandy Howard. During this time, Wong & Morgan wrote screenplays, eventually having one produced. With Morgan, he co-wrote The Boys Next Door, after this Wong became a story editor on the short-lived ABC crime drama Knightwatch. Later, with Morgan, Wong would work on many Stephen J Cannell productions, including Wiseguy, The Commish & as a staff writer & story editor for 21 Jump Street & its spinoff, Booker. Posters Of The One

Editors Choice: The One, Final Destination, Final Destination 2, View DVDology

©2004-2008 DVDArk.co.uk