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Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
- Directed by: Hark Tsui
- Starring: Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Li Bingbing, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Deng Chao, Jean-Michel Casanova, Teddy Robin Kwan
- Genre: Horror/Suspense
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Rating:
- Theater Release: 09/02/2011
- Video Release: 12/13/2011
- Run Time: 2hr 2min
Synopsis
China's first master detective is looking for answers to some burning questions in this blend of historical drama and mystery from acclaimed director Tsui Hark. Di Renjie (Andy Lau), nicknamed Detective Dee, is a law officer of the Tang Dynasty who is legendary for his powers of deductive reasoning. Di Renjie finds himself on the wrong side of prison bars when he dares to publicly criticize Wu Zetian (Carina Lau), who has become China's first female emperor. While Wu Zetian doesn't care for Di Renjie's opinions, she can't dispute his skills as a detective, and after eight years in jail she has him released so he can get to the bottom of a mystery. Two members of Wu Zetian's court have died under bizarre circumstances -- after stepping outside, they suddenly exploded into flames. Are the gods angry with Wu Zetian and her underlings, or is a clever saboteur at work? DI RENJIE ZHI TONG TIAN DI GUO (aka DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME) was inspired by the exploits of the real-life Di Renjie, who is credited with pioneering modern detective techniques during the Tang Dynasty (618 A.D. to 907 A.D.).
China's first master detective is looking for answers to some burning questions in this blend of historical drama and mystery from acclaimed director Tsui Hark. Di Renjie (Andy Lau), nicknamed Detective Dee, is a law officer of the Tang Dynasty who is legendary for his powers of deductive reasoning. Di Renjie finds himself on the wrong side of prison bars when he dares to publicly criticize Wu Zetian (Carina Lau), who has become China's first female emperor. While Wu Zetian doesn't care for Di Renjie's opinions, she can't dispute his skills as a detective, and after eight years in jail she has him released so he can get to the bottom of a mystery. Two members of Wu Zetian's court have died under bizarre circumstances -- after stepping outside, they suddenly exploded into flames. Are the gods angry with Wu Zetian and her underlings, or is a clever saboteur at work? DI RENJIE ZHI TONG TIAN DI GUO (aka DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME) was inspired by the exploits of the real-life Di Renjie, who is credited with pioneering modern detective techniques during the Tang Dynasty (618 A.D. to 907 A.D.).
Reviews
3.5 stars out of 5 - "[A] CG-steeped period-piece fantasy that weds whodunit drama and punch-and-kick mayhem." (Box Office)
"It has opulent, stylized settings of elegance, grandeur and scope, flawless special effects, and awesome martial arts combat staged by the master, Sammo Hung." (Los Angeles Times)
"Witty but not campy, grand without being unduly somber, it is a crazy, almost-coherent riot of intrigue, color and kineticism anchored by the charisma of its cast." (New York Times)
"It's the kind of ambitious, loopy spectacle that begs to be seen on the big screen if at all possible." (Movieline)
"[A] most splendidly overwrought package. And, hey, you might even learn some Chinese history." (Film Comment)
3.5 stars out of 5 - "[A] CG-steeped period-piece fantasy that weds whodunit drama and punch-and-kick mayhem." (Box Office)
"It has opulent, stylized settings of elegance, grandeur and scope, flawless special effects, and awesome martial arts combat staged by the master, Sammo Hung." (Los Angeles Times)
"Witty but not campy, grand without being unduly somber, it is a crazy, almost-coherent riot of intrigue, color and kineticism anchored by the charisma of its cast." (New York Times)
"It's the kind of ambitious, loopy spectacle that begs to be seen on the big screen if at all possible." (Movieline)
"[A] most splendidly overwrought package. And, hey, you might even learn some Chinese history." (Film Comment)
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