A gang of thieves is hired to rob a diamond exchange to retrieve what appears to be very rare black diamonds. Their cut is whatever they can take out of the exchange while they are to deliver the black diamonds to an interested crime lord. Fait is the leader of this motley group but when the heist goes busted all the criminals get away with is the black diamonds. The reason they failed to complete their mission is because a Chinese Intelligence officer Su interferes and alerts the authorities to their presence. This when Fait begins to wonder what is up with these diamonds that he risked his neck for as it seems everybody wants them and he is not sure why. When he contacts a friend who does business in illegal selling of goods and merchandises to find out if he can discover why everyone wants these diamonds they are stolen out from underneath him by a third party. Now the original owner of the diamonds who arranged for them to be brought to America wants them back and will do anything to get them. This involves kidnapping Fait’s daughter and using her as ransom for the diamonds that he thinks Fait still has. Now Fait must team up with the man that spoiled the original heist Su to try and discover what has happened to them, what they are and why everyone is after them. And also to try and save his daughters life before it is too late.

This is a motley cast of characters all playing somewhat cliqued roles in this fast paced action packed movie. From Tom Arnold as the illegal goods dealer to DMX’s cast of thieves and of course to Jet Li himself who once again plays a straight faced Chinese police officer much like last years Kiss of the Dragon. In part it is the diverse casting that makes this movie so good at times and also, which adds most of the humor to the movie. Tom Arnold again plays the funny sidekick that he seems to be made for just as he has done in other movies like 9 Months. He at times seems to steal the movie with his refreshing humor to an action packed martial arts film. If anyone ruins the movie it would have to be DMX who was obviously added for his hip-hop and to target certain audiences. He is cast, as a character that at times seems to have more martial art moves then Jet Li himself, which just doesn’t fit and seems wrong. Also his contrived relationship with his daughter cries falsity the entire time they put on the charade. But it is Jet Li who again powers this movie as he is restored to a part he can play rather than the hokey storyline of last year’s stinker The One. He seems made to play the straight-faced police officer that can kill easily with the slightest touch of his martial arts skills. The movie is an action packed thrill ride that does not fail to deliver. And while the movie may have some faults it still accomplishes what it sets out to do. Some movies are popcorn films and meant to be watched as such. No worries for plot or acting but rather to be entertained by a fast paced action movie that keeps you glued to your seat. This movie is such and a good watch for action film lovers.
3.5 stars out of 5