The One (2001)

AKA: n/a

Premise: Yulaw is traveling through parallel universes and killing each of his alternate selves in an attempt to amass their combined energies which makes him stronger but also may destroy the universe should he become the last "one." The only thing stopping him is Gabriel, Yulaw's final alternate self who finds his life upended by his evil twin.

Review: Jet Li's fourth Hollywood film and his second in 2001 is a fast-paced, effects heavy and industrial rock-filled disappointment. Most noticeably, Li's amazing martial arts skills are candy-coated and force-fed down the viewers throat by hyper-kinetic CG effects and cinematography devoid of style or grace.

Taking a ludicrous sci-fi premise, originally conceived for professional wrestler, The Rock and rewriting it for Li and his Eastern philosophy proves to be a miserable combination. Li's concept of two fighters, each with their own distinct styles that also reflects their way of thinking is clever. Yet, its all undermined by sloppy editing that fails to make the distinction in an engaging fashion. It just doesn't work, seeing Li's characters display gimmicky superpowers when Li, in reality has learned abilities far more impressive when filmed properly.

The film begins on a bad note by trying to explain the whole "multiverse" concept. The idea has been beat to death by television series Sliders and Star Trek. Frankly, Yulaw has nothing on the evil Kirk from episode number 39. Just about the only moments of relatively quiet dialogue are used up by further dull and confusing explanations of the magical workings of this multiverse.

The real problem is that with next to no character development, uniformly hideous acting and an exceedingly paper-thin plot, there isn't anything left keep the viewer's interest except the visual effects. Here, at least there is something palatable to chew on. The scenes where Li fights himself are convincing. Numerous superhuman feats of strength are seamlessly integrated into the Matrix-like action, although they lack the stylized direction of the Wachowski brothers. The final fight is the most entertaining scene and recalls elements from Highlander and Terminator 2. Yet, even this sparkling duel is an unsatisfying conclusion, handcuffed by the film's own idea of two men locked in a battle that neither can decisively win.

The one place where the film get it right is Li's inclusion of specific martial arts techniques to further offer contrast for both of his characters. The evil Yulaw employs a style that moves in rigid, straight lines and adds emphasis to his focused determination to be "The One." Gabe is more of a well-rounded or whole personality whose style reflects circular and more fluid techniques. This clear distinction aided by Corey Yuen's action direction makes their final match more interesting, even if the film itself isn't.

The final word on this sad affair is that Jet Li remains clearly out of his element in America. Blame it on the sci-fi premise, the oppressively clunky "American-style" direction, a script better suited for the likes of Mark Singer, or Li's stiff English-language acting. Long time fans of Li will be disappointed with the incredibly hacked up and overblown editing on the fights while others should undoubtedly see The One as a B-grade picture masquerading as a big budget action flick, doomed by it's own juvenile premise.

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	- Mark Pollard

Jet Lee Homepage

Biography:

Jet Li Lian-jie

AKA: Jet Lee

Gender: male

Born: April 26th, 1963 (Heibei, China)

Biography: A modest man and devout Buddhist, Jet Li rose from a sheltered life to become one of China's finest athletes before gaining unparalleled success, perhaps as the most popular martial arts star in the world.

At the age of two, Li's father died, leaving him among two elder brothers and two elder sisters, cared for by his mother. At home Li was obedient and he studied hard at school. In 1971, Li began his wushu* training at what was to become the Beijing Sports and Exercise School. He excelled in his training and outlasted most of his peers to win the only prize for excellence at his first national competition a year later. After plenty of harsh training, he went on to represent his country in a world tour that included a performance on the White House lawn for American president, Richard Nixon. By the age of 18, Li had won All-Round National Champion in wushu five times.

In 1981, due to his great status, Li was selected to star in Shaolin Temple, China's attempt to capitalize on the success of martial arts films in Hong Kong and elsewhere. The film was a huge success and not only propelled Li into international stardom, but revived interest in the real Shaolin Temple. Li starred in a sequel and two more films produced on the mainland. The last was Born to Defence, Li's only directorial effort to date and a disappointment at the box office.

Seeking more creative freedom, Li left China to pursue a film career abroad. After working with Dick Wei in the mediocre Dragon Fight (1989), Li was cast in the film that would make him a superstar. Tsui Hark had already established himself as one of Hong Kong's leading new wave directors and casting Li as the celebrated Cantonese hero, Wong Fei Hung in Once Upon a Time in China (1991) was a risk that paid off handsomely. Li would eventually appear in three more sequels, although not consecutively. Throughout the early to mid-nineties, he starred in a series of high profile films that showcased this charming and boyish leading man's abilities. Most fans agree that 1994's Fist of Legend, a remake of Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury (1972) stands as his best work from this era and perhaps of all time.

Li caught the eye of American producer Joel Silver who gave Li his break in Hollywood playing a villain for the first time in the fourth installment of the aging Lethal Weapon series. Considered to be one of the film's few highlights, Silver gladly produced Romeo Must Die (2000), Li's first starring role in Hollywood. After its respectable box office returns, Li went on to star in two more films the following year.

Li has since returned to his homeland to film Hero, an epic martial arts film set just before the reign of China's first emperor. He plans to continue working on various projects in the U.S. Li is currently married to Nina Nina Li Chi, his second wife who bore him a daughter.

* Wushu literary translates as "martial art" and is China's national sport. It incorporates traditional martial arts and gymnastics in a highly competitive format.