It seems that The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon have spawned a parade of weak imitators. Add The One to this growing list.

Jet Li plays multiple roles, the main one being an interstellar criminal that whips around to alternate universes killing different versions of himself in hopes that when he is the only one standing, he will be all powerful. His current trip takes him to Eargh in the near future, where his alternate self seems to have a perfect life. He's happy and in love, but with his evil twin hot on his tail, things are going to change. Complicating matters, are a pair of universe-hopping police officers sent in to take the evil Li down.

What we've got here are obvious shades of The Matrix, Terminator, and Double Impact. Director James Wong (who made the entertaining Final Destination) tries to keep things moving along, but despite all the interesting effects (all of which are given away in the trailer), the movie is lacking in energy. This is a dull experience with very little humor, and there isn't one character worth rooting for.

Jet Li is great in the fighting sequences, but he's proven that time and time again. What he has yet to convey in his American films is that he is capable of acting. The guy is a terrific actor but you wouldn't know it by watching The One or his last picture, the dreadful Kiss of the Dragon.

If you want to get the full effect of this movie, don't waste five bucks on seeing it. Just download the trailer for free. It features every exciting shot in the movie and makes it look interesting. The One is more like a steaming heap of number two.