DVD Movie: The Myth

	Production:	Wonder World Corporation Limited
	Release:	September 23, 2005
	Genres:	Action/Adventure, Art/Foreign and Science Fiction/Fantasy
	MPAA Rating:

This is the first time I remember Jackie Chan starring in a non-comedic movie. The movie does have funny moments but it is mostly a drama about love and honor between two people that stretched through time. Those expecting the usual Jackie Chan movie will be disappointed to find themselves watching Chan as a serious Qin dynasty general for half the movie.

Jackie Chan plays an archeologist of sorts named ... haha .... Jack. Jack has strange dreams that lead him to chase after artifacts and legends of the first Emperor of China (Qin Shi Huang) ... the same emperor who had numerous terra cotta warriors buried with him. Jack would find out that he is an incarnation of Meng Yi, a general of the said ruler, who had fallen in love with Princess Ok Soo, one of the emperor's wives or concubines, while she was placed under his charge.

We know that the real Qin Shi Huang had many wives/concubines, and upon his death, they were buried alive with him. We also know that the emperor spent the last years of his life looking for an elixir that will allow him to cheat death.

These were woven into the movie in the character of Ok Soo, the emperor's concubine who was locked in the tomb with the other concubines after his death, but did not die because she took the elixir of life. She waits patiently in her prison for Meng Yi, who promised to return and save her. She would not know that Meng Yi would die, and that it would take centuries before his incarnation as Jack would find her again.

The story or the concept is beautiful as it mixes myth, romance and tragedy. The execution wasn't consistent though. Some scenes border on being silly, and at those times I'd cringe as they ruin the illusion that the viewer is also living the fantasy.

The movie isn't bad. It's not mind-blowing good either. It did make me interested in looking up the Qin dynasty - which is a good thing for those who work towards making others appreciate the history and culture of China.