THE TOUCH

China/Hong Kong, 2002, 103 minutes, Colour.
Michelle Yeoh, Ben Chaplin, Richard Roxburgh, Brandon Chang, Margaret Wang, Dane Cook, Kenneth Tsang,, Winston Chao.
Directed by Directed by Peter Paul.

After the success of Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger, western audiences have been looking forward to another classic martial arts/mythical story. Michelle Yeoh has now co-produced, co-authored and stars in The Touch. Unfortunately, it will not fulfil the expectations. There are some opening acrobatics that will stir some hopes and there is a fifteen minute sequence towards the end of the film in a firelit cavern which has some wonderful flying and fighting moments. But, in between, apart from some attractive photography of some different Chinese and Tibetan locations, there is a rather pedestrian story of a powerful criminal gaining possession of an emblem which could unlock a long-hidden spirit and unleash it on the world for good or evil.

Michelle Yeoh herself is adept at combat action and brings some dignity to her role. The ambiguous hero is played by British Ben Chaplin and the villain is over-acted by Australian, Richard Roxburgh. After playing a South African nasty in Mission Impossible 2 and the Duke in Moulin Rouge, he sneers and snarls here as if he were auditioning for a parody of a Bond villain. Some of the dialogue is dramatically flat and some of the humour is deadpan (long dead). We will have to wait for another more special Chinese epic.

1. The impact of crouching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the many Chinese films like this at the period?

2. The popularity of martial arts? As displayed in this film? Choreography, acrobatics, special effects? Stunt work?

3. Filming in Nepal, China, the mountains, the desert? The world of the acrobats? The action sequences? The musical score?

4. The family, the long tradition, their performances, the secret, the relic, a treasure, the spirit of the holy man? The secret jump to retrieve it?

5. The kidnapping, the brother and his girlfriend? Karl, the ruthless villain, his arrogant style, the touch of a parody? Wanting the treasure? The pursuit?

6. The presence of Michelle Yeoh, Pack YIn, part of the family? Her relationship with Eric, his past, the thief? The bond between the two? Going on the mission?

7. The desert, the legends for the burial, the search in the desert, the conflicts?

8. The personal and dramatic interactions?

9. The climax, the temple, the booby-traps, action and explosions?