Powerful

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

DRAGON EYES plays out like one of those no-budget knockoffs Action fans know all too well. More's the pity: Cung Le is a genuinely talented actor and a superb martial artist. Fellow mixed martial artist Dan Henderson shows up just long enough to pound Le into a coma, but it's Le himself whose skills the movie showcases. (Though NOT the skills he perfected in the ring; i.e.; the devastating sweeps and throws that made him famous early in his martial arts career.) Storywise, there's not a whole lot going on and Peter Weller LOOKS like an elderly actor playing a "gangsta," but DRAGON EYES is still worth watching for true fans of the genre. It's not a classic by any means, but it's a start...

Just plain god awful, Im a big JCVD fan and this was very misleading as he did nothing to add anything to this film. Story was plain stupid, the scenes were confusing and murky, Wasted an hour and half of my life watching this, would have turned it off halfway thru but kept thinking it would get better. NOPE!!!! The acting was stilted, the lines were cheesy, it was like a 7th grade attempt at a homemade video for drama club. The music score was also nothing but rap crap, not even good rap, like there is such a thing , but this was bad!!!! I can only say this, JCVD, see my boy Stallone, he can show you how to make a comeback. I will admit the main Character, Cung Le is pretty decent martial arts actor, just needs better writers and producers my friend.

The director of two newer Universal Soldier movies, John Hyams, has apparently wanted to move onto the martial arts level with similar elements and ideas. Unfortunately, the screenwriter Tim Tori is not up to scratch, thus the outcome is complex mix of gang violence, martial fights, looking back in the form of flashbacks and unrealistic cases such as fully corrupt US police unit. As for the cast, then the only decent performances were provided by Peter Weller Mr. V and Jean-Claude Van Damme as Tiano, all the others seemed to derive from non-decent amateur theaters. Van Damme's part is strangely short and dull, although it was evident that he is still well fit.Although its length was 1 hour and 20 minutes only, it was dumb to watch at times. Even for brain-switch-off entertainment, there are much better options. On the other hand, it is no worst-movie ever or similar overstatement.

Storywise this really aims high. Something that people might not really be into that much, but whatever the case, you have to admire the filmmakers for trying at least. There are some very fine ideas in this movie (loyalty, friendship, respect amongst them), but none get explored too much. Not to mention that the emotional connection between the viewer and the main character unfortunately isn't the strongest. And that has nothing to do with the storyline, but has more to do with the way the movie is handled.The action scenes are decent enough (some are even spectacular), but hopefully you're not renting this to watch van Damme fight. He's playing a major part, but is a supporting player. But Cung Le knows how to fight. In the charisma department on the other hand ... One really good coup the movie made is installing Peter Weller as the main bad guy. He is terrific and shows what Charisma really is!