Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame is an aesthetically pleasing, technically accurate martial arts mystery set in the glory of 689 A.D. in the Tang dynasty. The movie manages to balance both history and supernaturalism elements by making it rich in history and at the same time an epic feel of intrigue, conspiracy and mystification. The story is based on exiled detective Di Renjie who comes to her coronation when Empress Wu Zetian calls him to examine a series of deadly fires, and the plot develops into a twisting and turning story of tricks, politics, and ancient mysteries.
The movie is outstanding in the rich production design, its detailed costumes, grandiose sets and spectacular action scenes recreating the era. The direction presents a balance between fight scenes and suspenseful detective work making it a thrilling during the entire period of watching the movie. The acting is solid, most specifically the actor who plays Di Renjie whose composure and uprightness bring the story to ground. The mystery is solved in very witty turns, and supernatural backdrop of the movie (poison burning in the sun and masqueraded identities) further give the mystery an extra edge of interest and thrill. The musical analysis and cinematography increase the mystical and tension further, plunging the viewer in this grandiose but dangerous world.
The most striking was how the movie dealt with the theme of loyalty, power and justice in the middle of the political chaos. Their intricate characters, the twists of the plot, and the magnificent visuals create an impression of awe and suspense as the audience is amazed by the thin line between truth and lies. Like a breath of fresh air, Detective Dee is a heart-thumping, history, myth, and detective fiction mix and a sizzling blend of the past and the present. It is a pleasurably fulfilling process that brings the wuxia genre to a highly mature and fascinating movie experience.
