Perhaps you are burnt out on karate movies. Fear not. Detective Dee only toys with some great moments in karate fighting when necessary for the plot. Yes, plot!. The mystery of why the soon-to-be-corronated Empress of China's closest officials burst into flames takes a full 122 minutes to unravel. And each minute is packed with breathtaking special effect, gorgeous vistas, clues, red herrings, strange and wondrous characters -- all in support of solving the mystery. The film seemed more to me like 'The Name of the Rose' in tone, though it is most often compared to Sherlock Holmes' cases and techniques for solving them.
To add depth and deeper satisfaction, the main characters are based on actual historic personages. There was, in fact, only on Empress of China, Empress Wu, who reigned in the 7th Century. There was a Judge Dee who was famous for solving crimes and was, therefore, given high rank in the Empress' palace. Though, surely, officials didn't actually turn to ash before many witnesses shortly before the Empress took her throne (I assume), it is documented that many in her closest circle plotted against her, not only because they believed a women should not rule China, but also because she was famed for being a cruel and treacherous ruler who would do whatever was necessary to maintain her power.
This film was too short! I could have stayed glued to my seat, continuing to watch the very complicated plot unfold amid the splendor of this enhanced China, following the keen mind of the Detective. I have to admit, I did loose the thread a bit, possibly due to the sometimes rapid subtitles, but all was made clear in the end. So fear not mind challenging plots, subtitles, or typical karate movies. 'Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame' rises above these concerns to be enthralling entertainment.
Detective Dee and the Mystery of Phantom Flame (Di Renjie)
Director: Hark Tsui
Writers: Kuo-fu Chen, Jailu Zhang from the original story by Lin Qianyu
Cast: Tony Leung Ka Fai, Chao Deng, Andy Lau, Karina Lau
Time: 122 min.
Rating: PG-13
Opening September 19 at the Embarcadero Cinema in San Francisco
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