For the most part, the Hong Kong movie "invasion" that has taken over Hollywood over the past few years has been a watered-down, tamer version of the movies made in the former British colony during the 80's and early 90's. For those Hong Kong stars that have crossed over to American audiences (Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat etc.) their prime (arguably) lies behind them with their best movies (arguably) made back in Hong Kong. (There are exceptions of course, Chan in the Rush Hour movies and Chow in Crouching Tiger and the Hong-Kong-action-movie-influenced-to-the-bone The Matrix). Hollywood is infamous for taking a great idea and over-doing it. Think slasher movies and the psychological thriller. The One walks that line of over-doing a good thing and breaking new ground.

In what amounts to successive sequences of special effects-enhanced fight scenes, you get a kung-fu film disguised as a sci-fi film. Jet Li plays dual roles as hero and villain in a universe (actually "Multiverse" as its explained in the introductory narrative) where one can jump from one universe to another. Bad guy Li (Yulaw) jumps from universe to universe killing his alternate selves. There by gaining his life force which increases strength, speed, the mind etc. and the last Li yet to be killed is Gabriel who also gains the same strengths as Yulaw.

The plot seemed very promising but again like most of the Hong Kong-influenced movies made by Hollywood, The One seems basic in its final execution. It could have been more, certain characters and relationships could have been elaborated on, the science behind it all could have been clarified. All the attention went to the fight scenes. The fight scenes are superb with what seems like very basic Jet Li choreography greatly enhanced by computer effects. The fight scenes in The One (arguably) could have been better than the hand-to-hand fight scenes from The Matrix. Though good fight scenes do not necessarily make a great movie. Granted The One's fight scenes are great but since the film clocks in at under 90 minutes don't expect too much character development or Hamlet-like soliloquies form Jet Li. Li's english is improving (though some scenes feel dubbed) but Li's english is still like listening to Jackie Chan with a speech impediment.

All in all, The One is a movie with grande ideas but falls short on the delivery. The fight scenes are incredible but the movie is far too simple to become memorable.