"The One" fails miserably in its attempt to imitate the "Matrix." But what more can be expected from a movie that rubs your nose into the notoriously corrupt LAPD seal in the opening scene?
Directed by James Wong ("Final Destination"), "The One" takes place at the very same time, in a galaxy not too far away. Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li) is a former “Multiverse” Bureau of Investigation agent who can travel through parallel universes (oh great, another movie giving me an alternate explanation of reality) and becomes obsessed with becoming the only "him" in all the universes. How he travels through each universe is somewhat of a fusion between “Star Trek” and “The Mummy.” Confused? Yeah, so was I when I tried to understand the point of this movie. I think I had a better time waiting in line for 30 minutes trying to get my popcorn and soda.
Here's what I gathered: We exist in many alternate universes or a “multiverse”, only it is our alter egos that carry on our existence in these universes. Still with me? When one of our alter egos dies, the remaining alter egos gain the energy that our dead alter ego leaves behind. Yulaw's goal is to destroy "himself" in all the alternate universes, gain all the power from the "other" Yulaws and become the ultimate human. He gets close to meeting that goal, until he runs into “himself” in another universe. The movie then takes us through the same old action story where good meets bad in one final fight scene. OK, if you didn't follow, you'll have to see the movie, but don't say I didn't warn you.
This movie serves as another testimony to the fact that Hollywood is destroying Jet Li. Li, believed to be the best martial artist on the planet, has suffered since crossing over to mainstream American movies. Li has proven yet again that he is better suited to do parts such as the one he had in “Lethal Weapon 4.”
Li's acting in this flick is horrible. His heavy accent makes Jackie Chan's English sound like Shakespeare, hard to understand yet eloquent. Since Li thrives when it comes to martial arts and high flyin' action, he should be reduced to the role of stunt double. Maybe Li can find work like the true Master of Martial Arts (Bruce Lee) did on the "Green Hornet" as "Kato." Leave the acting to Keanu Reeves (Not!).
What gives this movie some decency as far as the acting goes is the supporting cast. Making his second appearance on the silver screen with Li is Delroy Lindo. ("Romeo Must Die") Lindo plays Harry Roedecker, a “Multiverse” Bureau of Investigation agent whose mission is to track down Yulaw, his former partner. Lindo's ability to portray a man on a mission with a passionate fervor saves this movie from becoming a "Corky Romano" type disaster, but just barely.
Roedecker's sidekick is Ethan Funsch (Jason Statham). Funsch reminds me of the marine type. Kill or be killed. Statham plays the rebel cop role convincingly, making the audience hate his attitude, but understand his feelings. The agents are instructed to bring Yulaw to justice, and if need be, to destroy the good Yulaw.
Maybe Wong didn’t get a chance to watch “Double Impact” (Jean-Claude Van Dam) or “Superman III” (Christopher Reeves). Maybe he didn’t realize that movies pitting someone against himself usually don’t work. Maybe Wong’s excuse for filming this movie is the same one that Mark Fuhrman had for planting the glove: none.
You can chalk another one up for the guys. This is a testosterone-laced movie, not to be substituted for the "get lucky” type “chick flick.” If there is someone you want to impress, guys, don’t take her to this movie. It'll get you nowhere. It looks like something that came out of your Nintendo Ultra 64 "Killer Instinct" game. Save yourself eight bucks and watch it on DVD or VHS.
My Grade: D+
Runner@csubak.edu