Dragon Tiger Gate

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

Dragon Tiger Gate is a 2006 martial arts action film starring Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse. It is based on the Manhua Oriental Heroes.

It is the story primarily of two half-brothers, Dragon and Tiger, separated at a young age. The younger Tiger was raised at the titular dojo, whereas Dragon was adopted by a mob boss after his mother's death. Years later, the two of them come into conflict by chance. A third warrior, Turbo Shek, eventually joins the fight as well and they eventually band together to take on Shibumi and the Luocha Gang.

Tropes used in Dragon Tiger Gate include:
  • Arrogant Kung Fu Guy: Pretty much everyone to some degree:
    • Turbo Shek seems to play it straightest, subverted somewhat by the fact that his arrogance is largely faked because he was tired of being bullied.
    • Dragon is a much quieter example, more of a "Confident" Kung Fu Guy rather than "Arrogant"
    • Shibumi plays it very straight.
  • Authority Equals Asskicking: Both at the Dragon Tiger Gate (with Master Wong) and with villainous Luocha Cult (with Shibumi).
  • Bad Boss: Shibumi fatally wounds Luocha, presumably for failing to keep Dragon from interfering with the assassination of Ma Kun. As an added bit of cruelty, he gives her a medicine that can heal most any wound... and forces her to give it to the man whom she loves
  • Batter Up: Ma Kun's weapon in his sole fight. Justified since he was watching his daughter play baseball and it was the only weapon on hand.
  • Blade on a Stick: Mater Wong's weapon of choice versus Shibumi.
  • The Cavalry Arrives Late: Dragon arrives too late to save Ma Kun
  • Creator Cameo: Master Qi is played by the author of the original manhua.
  • The Dragon: Dragon to Ma Kun until he leaves the gang.
  • Dragon Lady: Luocha.
  • Dual Boss: The Double Devils.
  • Extremity Extremist: Tiger with kicks, Dragon with punches.
  • The Faceless: Shibumi is never seen unmasked.
  • Fighting with Chucks: Turbo Shek.
  • Good Scars, Evil Scars: Turbo has one over his eye, he gives several explanations for it over the course of the movie.
  • Instant Chucks: After being impressed by Turbo's skills, the children of the Gate improvise nunchucks out of slippers. Master Wong completely defeats Turbo with a pair of these, thus knocking Turbo down a peg.
  • Kingpin in His Gym: Shibumi is seen outside his training area once during the movie.
  • Live Action Adaptation
  • Orphan's Plot Trinket: Dragon and Tiger each have half of a jade pendant. Naturally, it's how they recognize each other.
  • Redemption Equals Death: For trying to leave the Luocha Gang, Shibumi has Ma Kun killed.
  • The Starscream: Scaly tries turning on both Dragon and Ma Kun at different times, and gets beaten for it each time.
  • Tiger Versus Dragon: Averted. Though they do fight multiple times in the movie and begin on opposite sides, Tiger and Dragon are ultimately very close and friendly.
  • Took a Level in Badass: Turbo and Tiger after training with Master Qi, Dragon takes a less obvious one after being healed by Luocha.
  • Worthy Opponent: Shibumi seeks out strong fighters. After Dragon defeats the Double Devils Shibumi considers him one. He also considers Master Wong enough of one to kill him after defeating him, while he spared Turbo and Tiger because they were Not Worth Killing.