The One
Jet Li sci-fi action has violence, swearing, LGBTQ+ slurs.
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Based on 2 reviews
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The One
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The One is a sci-fi action movie starring Jet Li -- playing multiple roles -- with plenty of close-combat fight scenes as well as CGI special effects. The movie jumps from different dimensions as former law enforcement agent Gabriel Yulaw (Li) tries to kill different versions of himself, which in turn will make him become all-powerful. In his pursuit, Yulaw is shown to be selfish, egocentric, and ruthlessly ambitious. As an expert martial artist, Li performs most of his own stunts. Fights include mostly punches, kicks, and gunfire. It is all cartoonish in tone and with no graphic blood or gore. Special effects such as "bullet time" and CGI also feature often. There is strong diversity among the main cast, but the three leads -- Li, Delroy Lindo, and Jason Statham -- are all male and there are very limited roles for women. Sex features indirectly when two minor male characters discuss pornography. Their conversation objectifies women and criticizes transgender people -- the slur "she-male" is used. Language includes use of "s--t," "son of a bitch," "damn," and "a--hole."
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What's the Story?
THE ONE follows former MultiVerse Authority agent Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li), as he travels through alternate universes to kill different versions of himself in an attempt to gain superhuman powers. Two other agents capable of inter-dimensional travel, Roedecker (Delroy Lindo) and Funsch (Jason Statham) attempt to stop him.
Is It Any Good?
Taking an interesting premise and doing practically nothing new or original with it, this hasn't endured as an action movie classic. But that's not to say The One doesn't have a certain B-movie charm. Clearly designed to establish Li as a leading man in the U.S., it might have failed in that aim but it did form the first of Li's frequent collaborations with Statham, another actor who can be relied upon to fully commit to underwritten, over-the-top scripts.
Two decades since its release, it's dated by a pounding nu-metal soundtrack that seems to play for almost the entire movie, along with some sub-Matrix special effects that appear either side of numerous explosions and car chases. The scenes that allow Li to show off both his agility and his dexterous use of props to disable combatants remain effective and enjoyable, though. So while The One may not be singularly of its kind, it succeeds in showing its audience a derivative, dimension-hopping adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fight scenes in The One. How did the movie blend action and martial arts with sci-fi? Were the fight scenes entertaining? How were they different to more "realistic" action movies? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss how the movie used the idea of multiple universes. Did you find this concept entertaining or confusing?
Talk about some of the attitudes depicted toward women and LGBTQ+ people. How did it make you feel hearing it? Why does language matter in media?
Did this movie remind you of any other sci-fi movies? How did it compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 2, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: March 5, 2002
- Cast: Jet Li, Delroy Lindo, Jason Statham
- Director: James Wong
- Studio: Columbia Pictures
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 87 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: intense action violence and some language
- Last updated: February 25, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Minority Report
Violent sci-fi detective movie isn't for the faint of heart.
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The Matrix
Intense, but many teens will be able to handle it.
-
The Expendables 2
The Expendables are still very violent but much improved.
For kids who love sci-fi
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