Natasha and I watched Dragon Tiger Gate last night. Based on a famous Hong-Kong Chinese manhua (comic) called Oriental Heroes, Dragon Tiger Gate follows the typical kung fu movie arc.

You have killed my (pick one) mother/father/sibling/elephant and beat me to a pulp. I will find a kung fu master (pick one) on top of the tallest mountain/ in the desert / in an alternate dimension/ in the big city and train until I can go after you and all other evil people that stand in my way.

Welcome to the world of “Dragon Tiger Gate”, the fascinating world whereby highly skilled pugilists be they evil or good fight it out! Adapted from the legendary Tony Wong’s classic, must-read HK manga of all times, “Dragon Tiger Gate” popularity is comparable to Marvel’s X-men or Spider-man in the Chinese comics arena. The story plotting sounds as if they are derived and woven from all those past familiar Ti Lung and David Chiang’s Shaw martial arts movies from the 70’s. Three upright young men (“Dragon”, “Tiger” and “Turbo”) after going through life turmoil decide to band together to rid the country number one’s evildoer, Shibumi.

Dragon Tiger Gate (2006)

I hadn't really heard of the movie or the comic before, so I added it to my order on YesAsia to both get free shipping and because I knew that Donnie Yen and Nicolas Tse in starring roles couldn't be that bad. Of course, usually what happens, after much eye rolling and sighs during the screening, Natasha reminds me that my track record when it comes to picking Chinese movies is unequal at best.

Thankfully DTG actually delivered, and I think is a better adaptation from a comic book than the equivalent from the West. As usual a good dose of suspension of disbelief is needed, but the acting didn't get in the way of the fight sequences, choreographed by Donny Yen, and well executed by Donnie, Nicolas and relative new-comer Shawn Yue who all look like they could actually fight. And we both enjoyed the photography, which managed to find that elusive balance between the over the top stylistic postures of a comic book, with the realism of live action.

Dragon Tiger Gate Trailer

Quote taken from the Dragon Tiger Gate review at MovieXclusive.