Heart of Dragon is a film that tries to be all things to all people. Whether you're into melodrama, comedy or action, this film has something for you. Or not. The story involves the mentally challenged Danny (sympathetically played by Sammo Hung) and his brother Tat (Jackie Chan). Tat is a cop who wants to join the merchant marines and sail into the sunset free of the burden of his brother. Tat's whole life has been about taking care of Danny and he resents him for it. Of course, deep down Tat's really a nice guy. Just when you think he's going to desert Danny, he comes to Danny's rescue in a show-stopping action sequence involving stolen diamonds. What the…?

Okay, so it's not the best work of Sammo Hung or Jackie Chan but it certainly is the most schizophrenic. It's overly melodramatic and weepy through the first half and non-stop action through the second. It's a strange mix that doesn't work well overall, but contains little successes throughout. The scenes of people humiliating and taking advantage of Danny manage to tug at the heartstrings, and Chan's complex portrayal of the selfish Tat is quite daring for an actor known for playing nice guys. The action is well done and the supporting cast of HK stars (including Dick Wei, Emily Chu and Wu Ma) lend credibility—until Lam Chin Ying shows up still sporting his Mr. Vampire eyebrows from another production. The film is clearly a blueprint for Rainman, which was made three years later minus the action. Heart of Dragon isn't as bad as it's reputation. It's simply over-ambitious and a bit confused about what exactly it should be. (Magicvoice 2002)

image courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment