I admit, I didn't actually watch the whole movie (I fast-forwarded through a lot of it, it seemed so terrible), so I've refrained from actually giving it a rating. The whole time, I was trying to figure out if this movie was for real. I logged onto this site to make sure that I didn't dream the whole thing up. The movie is that odd. A low budget martial arts action movie that wants to show the viewer the path to enlightenment. What makes it so surreal is that, unlike most low-budget action movies, it skips the gratuitous nudity and actually seems to take itself seriously. At first I thought it was tongue in cheek, but after listening to the eastern mysticism voice-over at the end, I'm not so sure. What makes this terrible movie even sadder is the fact that it seems to be dedicated, with complete gravity and earnestness, to the dead wife of the star/writer. The creepiest part is, I found this movie lying around in my apartment, and I haven't a clue as to where it came from.
4 Reviews
Abysmal.
bombersflyup19 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The Dragon Gate is pretty much the worst film in existence.
Every aspect is beyond woeful, that it isn't coherent at all and entirely unwatchable. On a shoestring budget, it fails to draw any interest and is as amateurish as can be. There are no laughs, not even at it. There are no perks, no reason to watch at all. It's entirely dead air, with a stone-faced lead in Dan Coplan, who only smiles when he's eating at the buffet. His girlfriend leaves him because he won't lighten up, saying "I don't dance." He stalks her and then is on a rescue mission to save here and dances with some woman in that. I turned it off.
Every aspect is beyond woeful, that it isn't coherent at all and entirely unwatchable. On a shoestring budget, it fails to draw any interest and is as amateurish as can be. There are no laughs, not even at it. There are no perks, no reason to watch at all. It's entirely dead air, with a stone-faced lead in Dan Coplan, who only smiles when he's eating at the buffet. His girlfriend leaves him because he won't lighten up, saying "I don't dance." He stalks her and then is on a rescue mission to save here and dances with some woman in that. I turned it off.
It's the bomb!
sean-727 March 1999
At last a true martial arts film! It touches both on the philosophy and action of martial arts! It has some the bloodiest fights scenes I've seen since Braveheart! It's a little slow and contemplative, but well worth watching. Some of the images keep haunting me, they're that powerful! Check this one out!
I APPLAUD THIS FILM!
Dan-10615 June 1999
I applaud this film because it dares to be different. I'm tired of the high-concept low IQ drivel that Hollywood churns out. Who wants to go to a movie where you know the whole story and how its going to end after the first five minutes! The Dragon Gate with all its imperfections is still an engrossing cinematic ko'an. With each scene you're never sure what's going to happen next. Each obstacle that the hero encounters is symbolic of our modern life. In this sense the film resonates Joseph Campbell's mono-myth.
For those of you who found The Empire Strikes Back to have more meaning than Star Wars, The Return Of The Jedi, or The Phantom Menace, you will find much to enjoy about The Dragon Gate.
The photography is gorgeous. In fact the images are very imaginative, the film has a strong after-life, you just keep thinking about it!
If you're looking for a film that challenges you, I would recommend The Dragon Gate.
For those of you who found The Empire Strikes Back to have more meaning than Star Wars, The Return Of The Jedi, or The Phantom Menace, you will find much to enjoy about The Dragon Gate.
The photography is gorgeous. In fact the images are very imaginative, the film has a strong after-life, you just keep thinking about it!
If you're looking for a film that challenges you, I would recommend The Dragon Gate.
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