Watch Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is a 2010 Chinese action-mystery film directed by Tsui Hark. The film stars Tony Ka Fai Leung as Detective Dee, Chao Deng as Shangguan Jing'er, and Carina Lau as Empress Wu Zetian. Set during the Tang dynasty, the film takes place in the capital city of Luoyang where the construction of a massive Buddha statue is underway. The statue is being built to celebrate Empress Wu Zetian's imminent ascension to the throne, but a series of mysterious deaths have put a halt to the construction. The victims are all high-ranking officials who have died from spontaneous combustion. The people fear it's a curse from the gods, but Empress Wu thinks it's something more sinister.

To solve the case, Empress Wu Zetian summons the famous detective, Dee Renjie, who she had imprisoned eight years earlier for treason. Dee accepts the offer and arrives in Luoyang, where he's immediately met with hostility from the head of the imperial police force, Yuchi Zhenjin.

Dee quickly begins his investigation, but he's met with obstacles at every turn. The palace is heavily guarded, and anyone who gets too close to the truth seems to disappear or die. Dee enlists the help of Shangguan Jing'er, a skilled fighter and former courtesan who's been tasked with spying on him. Together, they try to unravel the mystery of the phantom flame and uncover the identity of the villain behind the killings.

As the investigation progresses, Dee uncovers a web of lies and deceit that stretches all the way to the top of the imperial court. He discovers that the deaths are linked to a conspiracy to prevent Empress Wu from taking the throne. Dee and his companions race against time to uncover the truth before more people are killed, and before the conspirators succeed in their plan to overthrow the empress.

The film is visually stunning, with epic fight scenes, intricate costumes, and breathtaking special effects. The pacing is well done, and the story is gripping, with enough twists and turns to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed, with Dee Renjie portrayed as a brilliant detective with a sharp wit and a dry sense of humor. The chemistry between the characters is excellent, with Carina Lau's portrayal of Empress Wu Zetian being particularly memorable.

The film has received critical acclaim, winning multiple awards at film festivals around the world. It's been regarded as one of the best wuxia films in recent years and has been credited with revitalizing the genre. The success of the film has also led to a sequel, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings, which was released in 2018.

In conclusion, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is a must-watch for fans of the wuxia genre and anyone who enjoys a good mystery. It's a well-crafted film with a captivating story, stunning visuals, and memorable characters that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is a 2011 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 75.