Good start, but then it gets ruined

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

... or be a die-hard fan of some variety to sit through this farce.There are so many anachronisms in the first fifteen minutes that historical accuracy cannot have been a consideration. One reel, they're fighting the Imperial Japanese Army, the next, American sailors are driving around in a 1979 Cordoba.The only US sailors who wore beards were submariners. The "officer" wearing sunglasses and (in 1945) Vietnam campaign ribbons -- and a beard -- has no "dolphins" on his chest, but let's stop there.And considering how the Chinese have always treated each other worse than any "outlanders" ever have (you ever hear of the "Cultural Revolution"?), making Americans look like pigs seems gratuitous, particularly in Hong Kong where the British were the unloved white devils. Must have been some modish politics at work when this turkey was written.The choreography is unconvincing, Mr. Li's vigorous execution of same notwithstanding. This is just another uninspired actioner the script of which could not have stood on its own merits.

Jet Li stars and directs a tale of a Chinese rickshaw-man who offers to be a human punch-bag for American soldiers in post-WWII China. Jet does deliver good direction but the script is rather weak and most fight sequences seem to be rather dull. The finale is an all out Hong Kong cinema fight fest where Jet takes on Yanks in a factory (a fight sequence in which Jet sustained a serious injury and was out of filming for almost 3-4 years). I actually think this movie can be ranked as one of his worse efforts (including 'The Master' and 'The One').Die hard fans should check it out, but beware: not that great.**/*****

If you want to wallow in ignorant Chinese xenophic anti-americanism, this movie's the one for you.Somehow the American Navy seems to have taken over China and prostituted their women while drinking all the beer. Characters include the cowardly black sailor, racist white boys on leave and the ever popular missing in war daughter of the disabled veteran, turned prostitute for the hated Yankees, though with a heart of gold for her countrymen.From destroying a rickshaw taking a pregnant woman to the hospital to assorted acts of drunken anti-social rampage, these Americans seem to require brutal murder for the good of the Chinese people.hmmm, sounds like Tianamen Square.

Version: Some PAL VHS double-pack with 'Kids from Shaolin. English dub, accompanied by the worst quality soundtrack you will ever hear.In the tradition of nearly every dubbed Jackie Chan movie up to 'First Strike' (and beyond), Jet Li gets to play Jet, a Chinese soldier returning from World War Two only to find that the accomplishments of he and his men are made meaningless when the American navy (the "real war heroes") rolls into town. Naturally, the American servicemen run around being arrogant jerks, and it is up to Jet to kick their collective arses. Woo!Somehow, 'Born to Defend' is both one of the most dramatical Jet Li movies I've seen, yet at the same time is somehow one of the most plot-less Li movies I've seen. I would like to try and explain that in a convincing way, I really would, but you will just have to settle for this: You'll see people getting beaten up, then some drama, and then someone thrown through a table in a dramatical way. If Jet Li can direct such a perfectly plot-less drama about lots of people getting a good butt-kicking, why hasn't he directed any more movies? Come on, Jet, I know you can create more plot-less dramatical awesomeness.So, after all the plot-less drama, 'Born to Defend' is just a bunch of fight scenes? Hey, I'm not complaining, and you shouldn't either. Unlike most of his movies in the 80s / early 90s, this is not a wu xia. Sure, he can get hit by a car and be perfectly fine, but most of the time Jet takes on his bearded foes in kick / boxing style fights. The fights are entertaining enough, but nowhere near the level of Li's later movie 'Fist of Legend'. Have I mentioned the beards yet? Basically, the more noticeable beard an American soldier has, the better fighter he is. I swear, I'm serious.'Born to Defend' is not the finest, nor awesomest, Jet Li movie I have ever seen, but it certainly isn't the worst Li movie around - 6/10