Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon

Lore & Background

In 660, a Chinese fleet is attacked by a mysterious sea monster in the East China Sea. Empress Wu Zetian charges Yuchi, a member of the Ministry of Justice, to investigate the attacks. Young Dee Renjie arrives in Luoyang to join the Court of Judicature and Revision and becomes involved in the case after overhearing a plot to kidnap courtesan Yin Ruiji as an offering to the sea monster. Dee is arrested by Yuchi but escapes with the help of medical assistant Shatuo. The creature is revealed to be Yin Ruiji's missing lover, tea manufacturer Yuan Zhen, who was poisoned by the Dondo rebels. Dee, Yuchi, and Shatuo work together to uncover the Dondo's plan to poison Emperor Gaozong using tea. They cure Yuan Zhen and identify the sea monster as a mutated manta ray. Dee captures the rebel leader Huo Yi, while Yuchi and others kill the sea monster. Dee is awarded the Dragon Taming Mace and named head of the Da Li Si, while Yuan and Ruiji flee the city to avoid conflict with Empress Wu.

Reader's Guide

Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon is significant as the second installment in the Detective Dee film series, expanding the franchise's mythology by exploring the early career of the legendary Tang dynasty detective. The film introduced Mark Chao as a younger Dee Renjie, replacing Andy Lau from the previous film, and featured a notable ensemble cast including Carina Lau reprising her role as Empress Wu. Its use of native 3D technology and blend of historical mystery with fantasy elements, such as a mutated sea monster and parasitic dung beetles, distinguished it within the wuxia genre. The film's success led to a sequel, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018), with several cast members returning. It remains a key entry in Tsui Hark's filmography and a popular example of Chinese fantasy cinema.

Did You Know?

• The film is a prequel to Tsui Hark's 2010 film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame.
• Taiwanese-Canadian actor Mark Chao took over the role of Dee Renjie from Andy Lau.
• Ian Kim made his Chinese film debut in this movie.
• The sea monster is a gargantuan manta ray mutated by the Dondo using parasites and poison.