The Duel (2000)

Posted in Reviews by - March 01, 2017
The Duel (2000)

Andrew Lau’s succession of high-concept, big-budget special effects extravaganzas (The Storm Riders, A Man Called Hero) hits a glossy brick wall with this mumbled mix of comedy, action and romance. A handsome cast perform an Imperial conspiracy in fantasy China, set against a backdrop of a duel between master swordsmen Andy Lau and Ekin Cheng. The visual effects are quite something. Andy Lau’s Hovering Heavenly Angel Stance involves firing electric bolts of energy, while Ekin Cheng is offered a wonderful sequence in which a line of statues come to life. The eventual duel of the title sees the film’s leads harness the power of the skies while flying – swords at the ready – into one another. But these brief moments of glory are squandered by long sections of overplayed humour and sentiment.

This post was written by
Editor and creator of Kung Fu Movie Guide and the host of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast. I live behind a laptop in London, UK.

1 Comment

  • Christopher Foote

    This might be my favorite movie of all time. If you don’t like it you have zero sense of humor! This movie is badass and hilarious!

Leave Your Comment