Watch Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a 2018 Chinese film directed by Hark Tsui and starring Carina Lau, Mark Chao and Sichun Ma. The movie is a sequel to Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame and follows the tale of China's greatest detective, Di Renjie, on his latest adventure. The story takes place during the Tang Dynasty and opens with the Empress Wu Zetian (Carina Lau) sending Detective Dee (Mark Chao) and his team of fighters to investigate a strange occurrence at Luoyang, where a sea monster is causing havoc. There, they discover the monster is just a cover-up for a dark conspiracy involving the infamous Four Heavenly Kings, a group of powerful magicians who seek to overthrow the government.

Detective Dee must use his wit and his martial arts skills to stop the Four Heavenly Kings from destroying the country. Along the way, he reunites with several previous acquaintances, including the sorcerer Shatuo Zhong (Lin Gengxin) and the warrior Yuchi Zhenjin (Feng Shaofeng). The team must work together to fight against the villains and their army of supernatural creatures.

What follows is a visually stunning display of action, complete with wire-fu stunts, epic set pieces, and a variety of magical creatures. The cinematography and special effects are well-executed and never fail to impress, including a thrilling sequence on a massive bridge.

But Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is not just a typical action movie. The film's main strength lies in its characters, especially Detective Dee himself. Mark Chao is excellent in his portrayal of the legendary detective, who is more than just a martial arts master. Dee is a clever and compassionate leader, who thinks on his feet and cares deeply for his team.

Carina Lau also delivers a standout performance as Empress Wu Zetian. Her character is complex and intriguing, with Lau effectively conveying the Empress' intelligence and ruthlessness. She is a formidable opponent for Detective Dee and her screen presence adds depth to the story.

The movie is also filled with interesting supporting characters, such as Sichun Ma's Jing'er, the young and spunky assistant to Detective Dee, and Lin Gengxin's Shatuo Zhong, the powerful magician who becomes an ally to Dee. The villains, led by the Four Heavenly Kings, also have unique personalities and motivations, making them more than just disposable antagonists.

The film's pacing is generally good, with a few exceptions where the story drags on a little. The final act is particularly exciting, with the action escalating to an epic conclusion. The soundtrack fits the film's tone and sets the mood for each scene, whether it's an intense fight or a moment of contemplation.

In summary, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a well-crafted martial arts film with stunning visuals and engaging characters. The film honors the legacy of the Detective Dee series while also delivering something new and exciting. Fans of the previous films will not be disappointed, while newcomers will find plenty to enjoy in this thrilling adventure.

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a 2018 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 58.