WHAT TO EXPECT: Interesting and visually stimulating special effects and action sequences; Sci-fi high-tech mumbo jumbo; camp-like, silly performances (Jason Stathom turns in his worst acting performance to date with an "American" accent that changes with his every line!); inconsistent writing (good ideas and bad ideas all living together comfortably nestled in the protective castle of Hollywood money); and craptacular music (this new school brand bang-your-head to-the-wall and lose some I.Q. so you can really like it puke).

WHAT NOT TO EXPECT: Oscar quality anything; wall-to-wall kung fu fighting; any actual chemistry between characters.

STAND OUT MOMENTS AND COOL STUFF: Getting to see Jet Li perform authentic Bagua and Xing Yi on the big screen, especially since you don't get to see many internal styles used for choreography in modern action flicks. Neat. Yulaw (Jet li's character) can apparently move so fast that he can knock one individual into the air and take out other combatants before finally returning his attention to his skyward opponet and crescent kicking him out of the air at what seems to be a leisurely pace for this super villain. Unfortunately, moments later, when he is running at top speed on the street it looks as though he is struggling to maintain a speed of what seems to be no faster than people can go (they try and throw you off by showing him run by cars but they are all moving extremely slow). And, of course, Jet Li vs. Jet Li. No clone wars required.

SHOULD I CHECK IT OUT? Sure. I mean, as long as you want to see something fun and mindless and you are prepared not to be overly critical. Not for everybody, but if an open mind is kept it can probably entertain most.

The movie was originally conceived for WWE wrestler The Rock but backed out of the role to work in THE SCORPION KING, THE ONE was rewritten for Jet Li along with some kung-fu & gunplay action to blend in for the mix which unfortunately might not meet the expectations of Jet Li fans who are use to him fighting on the ground and on extended cables in previous movies.

THE ONE centers on Yulaw (Li), a former cop-turned-killer who travels through parallel universes to eliminate every alternative version of himself in order to obtain their combined strengths and gain superhuman abilities. His final replica, Gabriel (Li) is the only one determined to stop him with the help of two cops (Delroy Lindo- CLOCKERS and ROMEO MUST DIE; and Jason Statham- THE TRANSPORTER 1 & 2) who are from the same time line as Yulaw.

The movie's concept mimics HIGHLANDER where Li even says "There will be only one" (real line "There can be only one") which pays a little homage to the series. Some of the elements are also similar to James Cameron's sci-fi action flicks and the opening, where the narrator explains the "multiphase", was an incarnation of the '60s, '70s & '80s sci-fi classics such as STAR TREK. Li's presence as Yulaw comes of like THE TERMINATOR with his one-man killing spree while he uses supernatural kung-fu and gunplay against the cops. He also dodges bullets like Neo from THE MATRIX.

Fans will probably be disappointed with the action because Li's martial arts skills are shelled by CGI effects that makes it look like a digitized video game and it doesn't live up to his true abilities in combat. Li pulls off some "real" kung-fu under the fight choreography of legendary action master Cory Yuen (THE TRANSPORTER 1 & 2, KISS OF THE DRAGON and X-MEN) who allows him to use two fighting styles for for his characters. Gabriel uses the Ba Qua kung-fu style which relies on circular movements made to challenge his alter ego's straight line-oriented Shin Yi kung-fu. These two fight forms makes the final battle a little interesting, especially when the CGI effects aren't used.

The CGI technology used today, which helped put Jet against Jet, would have been a perfect tool for a lot of things back in the '70 & '80s. THE CROW is a perfect example of how they used it to keep the late Brandon Lee in the movie. It would have worked for films like Bruce Lee's unfinished classic GAME OF DEATH and the barely-related GAME OF DEATH II (aka TOWER OF DEATH) to help cover all the noticeable flaws that basically ruined them.

There's a little known factor about this movie where former Vietnamese child actor Jonathan Ke Kuan (aka Ke Huy Kuan) took part of the production where he was the English speaking interpreter for Cory Yuen during his interviews in the behind-the-scenes featurette (if you recognize the high-pitched baby voice from his classic movies). He's probably best known for his roles in Richard Donner's THE GOONIES and INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM. He also coordinated some the the stuntwork.

This flick was basically a B-movie trying to pass off as a mega budget blockbuster and it wouldn't be considered one of Jet Li's best American movies. The fight sequences had their ups and downs because of the CGI effects but Cory Yuen's choreography still lifts some of Jet Li's fighting methods but they won't get the full taste of pure Jet Li kung-fu.

The ending will leave some viewers hungry for a sequel but I guess we'll have to wait and see but in the meantime, you can still check the movie out if you've never seen it because it offers enough action to please his fans.

With any space/time/other universe films you have to suspend your disbelief in order to accept the premise. Because Jet believed in the charactor the audience does as well. And there is always something that defies explanation you must accept or stop watching films of this nature. The One has the same obstacles. Jet did a great job! He made the roles in other universes believable. For once they actually had a real story behind the action. Gabe (Li) has a wife and dog and a house. Jet was exceptional in coming to terms with another 'him'. People usually expect kick butt action with Jet and there is plenty to go around. Having to fight yourself is a huge undertaking and thankfully they didn't resort to the old split screen. The One really hinged upon the believability factor that it was possible for other universes; another "you". Fortunately the film makers did not try to explain too much which would have really bogged down the story.

The differences between the good and bad Jet were present but the director does not hit the viewer over the head to make sure the audience knows what is unfolding. The scene where both are "getting clear" but in such very different ways made the viewer believe there were two! Fans of sci - fi or martial arts will definitely enjoy The One!

It's worth the cost of rental just to see Jet as a blond. :)