Invincible Dragon 九龍不敗 (2019) - Hong Kong
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
Rising action star Max Zhang continues his run of leading martial arts roles with Fruit Chan’s underwhelming “Invincible Dragon”. Billed with MMA fanfare pitting Zhang against MMA Anderson Silva in a Macau tower showdown. The problem starts with this premises as Zhang seems to be acting in a totally different movie. Director Fruit Chan misfires once again in another commercial cinematic attempt, it is perhaps fitting that his next effort bound to be a social commentary flick.
Max Zhang is undoubtedly talented and most likely to be the called upon Donnie Yen’s successor. Aided with good physical techniques and acting chops, the film suitably wasted all that potential with a lousy and uneven story that makes nearly no sense. Annie Liu is always likeable as the Macau casino tycoon’s daughter as her one-side love for Zhang remains the film more grounded moments. Anderson Silva is absolutely horrible in both his acting and presence. The only saving grace remains the MMA fight scene with Zhang. Juju Chan is given a limited character to play with as her biggest fighting asset is largely neglected and underused. Richard Ng makes an interesting cameo as the Macau Tycoon and likewise Stephy Tang does a decent job, but is killed off far too early in the preceding.
All in all, “Invincible Dragon” comes off like a child’s play and enormously lacking in a sensible storytelling capacity. Fruit Chan have done far better work, but fail to deliver once again when deriving into a commercial affair. It is not all doom and groom as the fight scenes are well shot and the set pieces even if unbelievable like an empty MTR train or flying through the Macau Tower. It’s a film that style possesses a deeper story that ends up dwindling down the tunnel and by the end of the film, it feels like an unbelievable dream.
I rated it 5/10