DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM
FLAME takes place during the Tang Dynasty as Empress Wu is about to be crowned the first female Emperor. After a couple of mysterious deaths resulting in a couple of high level officials bursting into flames,
she frees Detective Dee after eight years of imprisonment to investigate and solve the crime before her coronation. DETECTIVE DEE is like an Asian version
of Sherlock Holmes mixed with political intrigue, martial arts, and illusion.
It is a very entertaining martial arts mystery film from China. The mystery is very much mixed with politics, revenge, and dual identities. It isn't just easy to solve the mystery as to understand what is the best for the tang Dynasty. Pei Donglai (the albino detective) and Jing'er (the Empress's favorite enforcer)
are good foils for Detective Dee. Too bad the film doesn't use that to more advantage. The only other nitpick are the visual effects which sometimes are very subpar
for an international production of this size ($130 million Hong Kong Dollars and using various countries involved in the making
of it).
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Four making of featurettes that go behind-the-scenes
from the visual effects, the costumes, stunts, weapons, and saying it is one of the biggest multi-country productions ever
done in China (with visual effects unlike any other according to one of the producers):
THE MAKING OF DETECTIVE DEE
CREATING THE CHARACTERS
WEAPONS, STUNTS AND ACTION
THE WORLD OF DEE
Three Galleries: Cast, Behind The Scenes,
Posters
International theatrical trailer
FINAL ANALYSIS: DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME is a fantastic mystery action film despite
the subpar visual effects.
this DVD review is (c)12-27-2011 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
