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Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

Play trailer Poster for Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame PG-13 Released Sep 2, 2011 2h 3m Mystery & Thriller Action History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During the Tang Dynasty, China's future empress (Carina Lau) frees an imprisoned detective (Andy Lau) to solve the deaths of two courtiers who burst into flame upon exposure to sunlight.
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Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

Critics Reviews

View All (55) Critics Reviews
Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is vintage Tsui Hark, filled with virtuoso aerial fight sequences and soaring performances by glamorous veterans Carina Lau, Andy Lau, and Tony Leung Ka-fai. Aug 27, 2019 Full Review Steve Erickson indieWire Detective Dee brings back the excitement of great pop cinema that drew cinephiles to Hong Kong in the first place. Mar 5, 2018 Full Review Chris Chang Film Comment Magazine The film's visual style is at times so dense it simply overwhelms (ditto the plot). Oct 9, 2011 Full Review Ed Travis Hollywood Jesus The quality and entertainment value of Detective Dee is high. But I so appreciate films coming from places where honesty and freedom are able to shine through in the story telling. Apr 1, 2020 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Detective Dee is a sweet little cotton candy confection -- but certain parts might stick to your teeth. Rated: 2.5/5 Jun 27, 2019 Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest The kind of escapist entertainment that they just don't make anymore, which also makes its allusions to real-world concerns such as political hegemony and torture feel a bit misplaced in this movie fantasia. Jan 9, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Devils A If we had not stepped beyond the limits of reality, then there *is no way* for a girl to turn into a man, and that's the biggest mystery of this movie... Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Lee W The look of the film as amazing. Sammo Hung does the Action Direction, so 'nuff said there, and a good mystery to boot. Great flick. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/14/22 Full Review Liam D A great start to a franchise This Adventure was a fun watch and I might check it out again soon Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/21 Full Review Audience Member Captivating and epic. Shows that China can successfully do Hollywood level film-making. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting with twists and suspense. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Big, beautiful, exciting Tsui Hark adventure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis During the Tang Dynasty, China's future empress (Carina Lau) frees an imprisoned detective (Andy Lau) to solve the deaths of two courtiers who burst into flame upon exposure to sunlight.
Director
Hark Tsui
Producer
Peggy Lee, Nansun Shi, Hark Tsui
Screenwriter
Kuo-fu Chen, Jialu Zhang
Distributor
Indomina
Rating
PG-13 (Violence|Some Sexuality|Disturbing Images)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Action, History, Drama
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 2, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 11, 2017
Runtime
2h 3m
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