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Originally posted 2-24-2013 by myself on Examiner.com

‘Dragon Tiger Gate’ is the 2006 film directed by Wilson Yip. Screenwriter was Edmond Wong. Based on the manhua Oriental Heroes by Wong Yuk Long. Starring Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue.

Ma Kun (Chen Kuan Tai) is a mentor and father figure to Dragon Wong (Donnie Yen). He’s raised him since childhood after his mother died in a fire. Triad leader Shibumi (Yu Kang) rules the city with an iron fist. Ma Kun is his second in command and boss of his gang the Luocha Cult.

Dragon is the oldest son of Master Wong (Yuen Wah). A co-founder of the famous martial arts academy Dragon Tiger Gate. Dragon’s mom and Master Wong split when he was young. Master Wong got involved with another woman and had another son Tiger (Nicholas Tse). This boy is raised by their father. The brothers’ heartfelt reunion takes a while. Dragon initially wants nothing to do with him.

Turbo Shek (Shawn Yue) is a nomad both men run into. Turbo is arrogant thrill seeker who enjoys a good fight. He considers every brawl to be a learning experience. Then he sets his sights on DTG. Being a member of the academy will add to his fearsome and completely fabricated rep. Master Wong slaps some humility into the young man. Before accepting him as a student.

Ma Kun wants to retire. Shibumi sends his men the Double Devils to kill him. Tiger gets involved since he’s dating Ma’s daughter. Dragon tries to keep his younger brother from being killed. Turbo Shek aids them whenever possible.

Shibumi toys with Tiger and Turbo Shek. Neither man is worth killing. Master Wong is a different story. Dragon barely survives his first encounter with Shibumi. Near death, Dragon goes on a spirit quest. He comes out healed and turbo charged.

Elsewhere Master Qi’s heals then trains Tiger and Turbo Shek. He kicks their skills up a notch into the supernatural. Shibumi, having accessed their skills during round two, now considers them worthy of death. Dragon’s arrival prevents their murder. Then it’s a final battle between Shibumi and Dragon.

The good: Beautifully made. Fans of the movie Kill Bill will recognize a certain action sequence. Trippy. Love the replication shot. The test given to Ma Xiaoling by Master Qi. To see how far she’ll to save her friends.

Master Qi is played by Oriental Heroes creator Wong Yuk Long. Love the interior set design of Master Qi’s Pagoda. Yuen Wah (Master Wong) and Yu Kang (Shibumi) were highlights of the film. Chen Kuan Tai (Ma Kun) going medieval on the Double Devils. Master Wong beating up Turbo Shek with a sandal.

The bad: The Wong half-brothers not growing up together. Master Wong abandoning Dragon. The mother of your firstborn dies and don’t look for your son?

The ugly: No sequel. The movie could’ve been longer.