Original subtitles

[siren wails in distance]

[Smith] Do not dwell in the past.

Do not dream of the future.

Concentrate the mind on the present moment.

My name is Smith.

Welcome to Flatland.

[strange, ominous music]

When I first met the devil,

his name was Khan.

Mine, Saint Michael.

The war for the soul of mankind

has raged for 3000 years.

The battleground today is Shanghai.

I have forced three young Americans to work for me.

JT, a gang banger.

Mr. Mitchell, a veiled mob lawyer.

And Amy Li, a beautiful young woman.

They will ultimately discover the history

when present and past collide,

and where one misstep on either side

to the forth dimension...

Is fatal.

In the world of Flatland,

where nothing is as it appears.

[Smith] My name is Smith.

Welcome to Flatland.

[dramatic music]

[exotic music]

[mid-tempo techno music]

[mid-tempo techno music]

Quentin Mitchell and JT Dunnit.

Ring any bells?

No recent bells.

[ominous music]

By tonight they'll both be dead.

Piece of cake.

[rapid techno music]

[Khan] Amy Li.

I'm going into the city.

I'll see you tonight.

[rapid techno music]

[horn beeps]

Keeps coming back.

Look at her now.

Mud flats.

This whole city is built on mud flats.

Then buried, then built again, buried.

She's like a bejeweled princes

gettin' ready for the wedding.

They say Shanghai is like the emperor's ugly daughter.

She never has to worry about finding a boyfriend.

That's pretty cynical.

What do the optimists say?

I'm not sure I know any.

Well, you know me.

Like I said, I don't know any.

I hope Amy is all right.

Taxi!

Amy likes you, you know, she told me.

Well, that makes one person.

She says you're like the father she never had.

She'll get over that.

Don't be too hard on her.

Why not?

[Linda] She's vulnerable.

She's in a dangerous place.

We all are.

The only reason we exist is because evil's here.

You're facing an eternity of sorrow

and a millennium of horror.

[laughs]

Ain't life grand?

Your toys.

Uh, Mims.

Mm.

Sometimes techno is a blessing.

[humming]

[horn beeps]

[techno music]

Ooh, check it out.

Check her out.

[JT] Mm, now that is a nice backhand.

That's a nice back everything.

Ooh.

How the hell did he miss that?

Simple, yin and yang.

Interacting principles.

Her positive was way stronger than his negative.

I got your yin and your yang.

[slow, exotic music]

[neck cracks]

[slow, exotic music]

[rapid techno music]

[birds chirping]

Hello, stranger.

Hello, Smith.

How are you?

Okay.

Yeah.

All things considered.

I was beginning to worry about you.

I haven't seen you in so long.

I know.

How's your friend?

What was his name?

Richard Coventry.

I guess that's part of my problem.

Problem of the heart or something else?

Both.

Uh, difficulty due to multiplicity

of interrelating events.

I like complexity.

He scares me.

Why did you end the relationship?

It's not easy.

Sometimes I feel comfortable with him.

Others, I don't know.

Why?

I wonder if he's telling me the truth.

Everybody plays the deception game.

It's one of the darker colors on the palette

of human nature.

He's very good at it.

There's a devil in every man.

I thought most women found that very attractive.

It can be.

[mumbled conversations]

[Man] Yeah.

[camera shutter clicks]

[JT] I never seen this cat before in my life.

You won't be seeing him again.

I'll run a check on him.

Try to find out who he was.

And why the hell he was trying to kill me.

There could be hundreds of reasons.

[camera shutter clicks]

[cell phone beeps]

Smith.

Smith?

[cell phone beeping]

Anybody know where Smith is?

[horn honks and radio static]

[woman mumbles over PA system]

[door closes]

[mysterious, exotic music]

[wings flapping]

I don't like this.

What?

This, I could've got killed.

[JT scoffs]

You could've got killed?

They tried to kill me.

You were in the shower.

They know about us.

It could have been you first, me second.

Listen, fool, you're too paranoid.

It's a good way to stay alive.

It's also a good way to go nuts.

Smith.

I agree to do a little undercover work,

not this kettle of fish.

Now what the hell does kettle of fish mean?

Means you can shove this.

Where the hell is he?

Try Linda.

[cell phone rings]

Mitchell.

Linda, hey cutie, I'm trying to get ahold of Smith.

I'll have to take a message.

He's busy.

Well, can you interrupt him?

Not if I wanna keep my job.

[Mitchell] All right, just say this message, okay?

I need to speak to him.

I'm not moving until he does.

[Linda] I'll tell him.

[Smith] Are you in love with him?

I like him.

Passionately?

Smith!

What?

I know the difference between like and love.

I like him.

I'm not sure about love.

[Smith] I want you to be careful.

You know, somewhere in that difference

people get hurt.

Why does it have to be so difficult?

Oh come on.

Life is all about mysteries.

If it wasn't it'd be like a taco without salsa.

And who wants a taco without salsa?

You know?

[laughter]

So, you gonna wait right here?

Just watch me.

All right.

That's very funny.

That's very funny, JT.

[eerie, mysterious music]

[JT] Man, this is ridiculous.

[Mitchell] All right, you win, I give up.

You wanna get a beer?

Ain't got nothin' else to do.

Good.

What's up with Smith?

It's like the guy doesn't exist.

He's not anywhere.

Actually that's us.

[engine stalling]

Come on.

See, that right there is why I don't

deal with four wheels.

We should've taken my bike.

[engine stalling]

What the?

[engine stalling]

[dark techno music]

[slow, exotic music]

[chimes tinkling]

Let me tell you something,

you drive like a blind idiot with a death wish.

Hey, where you goin'?

I told Fish we'll be here.

Then you be here.

And next time get a taxi.

[Man] JT.

You've come back.

How in the heck did you know it was me?

Takes time.

You'll learn.

So...

You saw something you can't understand.

I saw something more like I can't believe.

Uncle, I have done deals with all kind of people

coming through Miami.

With Africans and Jamaicans,

I've done some crazy stuff, man,

have some crazy people after me.

[laughs]

Never dead people though.

I got a freakin' zombie after my ass!

Tell me then.

But not too quickly.

There's an old Chinese saying,

when the stomach is running, the mind goes slow.

Word on the street, payback.

For the undercover work.

You and JT are one and two on the hit list.

That's just what I need.

Well, look on the bright side.

Maybe it'll help us get to the head of the organization.

That's the bright side?

As far as Smith is concerned.

Have I ever told you how much I care

about Smith's concerns?

I have a homicidal maniac trying to kill me.

Would that qualify as a concern for Smith?

Maybe.

But he wants this guy more than anything.

But we don't even know who this Mr. X is.

Then it's simple.

We put a name and a face on him, problem solved.

But what is this obsession he has with this jerk?

I don't know.

But it is an obsession.

You know what?

He should really find a better way to channel his energy.

Fly fishing, charity work.

Why not a cure for cancer?

He is.

As far as Smith is concerned, Mr. X is cancer.

[cell phone beeps]

Smith.

Your zombie is from your past.

Cool.

So what?

He'll try to take you there.

[JT laughs]

What if JT don't wanna go there?

JT has no choice.

What you mean I ain't got no choice?

What's this cat wanna drag me down memory lane for?

Revenge.

And to kill you.

Yeah, I pretty much got that one figured out already.

I feel myself circling the drain.

If he kills you in your past,

you can never come back again.

So you mean, if that happens, I'm not here?

And can never be again.

What's this all about?

Kismet.

Karma.

Fate.

The way we all circle the drain.

Fire is the cleansing element.

A path to rebirth.

And the devil's only friend.

[dark, ominous music]

[rapid techno music]

Hey, slow down, man.

Shut up!

[engine revs]

We got company!

Yo, go, go, go, go!

Who the hell is that?

[JT] An old friend of mine.

Go man, go!

[screams]

[horn blares]

[techno music]

[horn blaring]

[JT] He probably lost it around that corner.

Where'd he go?

[engine revs]

[yells]

[tires screech]

[engines revving]

[tires screech]

[techno music]

[tires screeching]

[engine revs]

[siren wails in distance]

Hey!

[rapid techno music]

[rapid techno music]

Ah!

Yeah!

[groaning]

[screams]

[siren wails in distance]

How many times do you think you can fail me?

Smith's warriors should be easy prey for you by now.

Or have you gone soft?

I see nothing worthwhile in weakness.

You do remember who I am.

I'm the tiger.

I am invincible in my time and world.

I have no use for anyone who doesn't do

what I expect them to.

That thought includes you, Mr. Jessup.

You said one of them is dead.

Yeah.

Kill the other one.

With luck we'll get Smith's attention.

He'll come into my world, where I will destroy him.

Forever.

[beams creaking]

[panting]

[groaning]

[speaking foreign language]

You're becoming a real public nuisance.

I've had people telling me that

since I was six years old, man.

You know that's not funny.

I got one dead body, a car exploded,

a couple of terrified pedestrians out on Nanjing Road,

and now this.

Well, excuse me for trying to stay alive.

You know if it wasn't for Smith and your immunity

I'd put you in jail.

You still got a crazy fool out on the loose.

And you don't know where he went.

If I did I wouldn't be here.

And where's Mitchell?

He went after the dude.

He disappeared.

He's probably out somewhere getting a cappuccino.

[man speaks foreign language]

I hate these things.

What?

Telephones, they're a terrible invasion of privacy.

You're just anti technology.

[cell phone rings]

That'd be the end of the world, bet on it.

Mitchell?

Oh, Smith.

It's about time.

Mitchell, where are you?

Somewhere around the fourth ring of Dante's Inferno.

Ooh, that's a fun place.

I didn't know you got past See Spot Run.

You sound terrible.

You all right?

I need some help.

Get JT now.

Just hang in there, buddy.

Do me a favor.

Next time somebody tries to kill ya

call me before you destroy half the city.

You got it.

Why do I think you're lyin'?

'Cause everybody lies to cops.

Just a habit.

[cell phone rings]

[man speaks foreign language]

Yeah.

[Linda] Mitchell's trapped in a warehouse.

[man speaks foreign language]

[slow, exotic music]

[chill techno music]

Turtle shell.

It's a lot better than Viagra, it's a lot cheaper.

All right, now tell me again, what did you see?

My life flashing by as I was falling.

That's it.

Then JT and the cavalry.

I owe you, man.

The man.

You didn't hear his voice?

No, nothing.

Like I said.

I'm sorry.

There's an old Chinese saying.

When the stomach is running.

The mind goes slow.

Well, it's a very popular saying.

The bad news is, your friend is still out there

someplace.

And the guy who sent him.

Which brings me nicely into something else.

Oh, I know.

You want out.

Correct answer.

Well, I'd like to say adios to you, kiddo,

but I can't.

Why not?

We haven't finished.

I am.

No, there's a lot of loose ends, buddy.

No, just the one.

The one you got twitching up your butt

who we think is still here in Shanghai.

He's here.

So what's up with this guy?

Well, let's just say we go way back.

Well, let's just say that's a little vague.

It's a long time ago, it's personal.

So is my life.

Come on, Smith.

What is it, what did he do?

He rocked my world.

He turned it all into rings of the inferno,

and he left me to live in it.

A nightmare.

A bleak, desolate, deadly garden

where the only flower is evil,

and morality is irrelevant.

And harmony doesn't exist.

And life is torture.

And peace doesn't reign at all.

That's what he did to me, Mr. Mitchell.

What the hell did that mean?

It means you hit a nerve.

Amazing.

I still think that son of a bitch owes us an answer.

Careful.

Sometimes the answer's worse than the question.

[eerie music]

[eerie music]

[wall thuds]

[bird shrieks]

[ominous music]

At least tell me what I've done.

It's nothing like that.

I just need to get back to my life.

What's that?

My friends.

City.

Getting a job.

No, I don't think it's that at all.

Then you really don't know me at all.

Oh, but I do.

What are you doing here?

Shanghai, 2010.

Why do people go anywhere?

Everyone that comes here has something to hide.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, you know, pieces of history.

Sordid little things we have in our past.

The ones we all try to forget

or just brush out of our memory.

I think you know, Amy Li.

And I don't think you're going anywhere.

[door slams]

[eerie music]

[gong crashes]

Why are you acting like this?

Frightened?

You can't keep me here if I don't wanna stay.

I can keep you wherever I like.

Why are you doing this?

It's your fate.

Part of a little story which began

thousands of years ago.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Why do you think you can lie to me?

The coward you work for chose you well.

I don't work for anyone!

Call it what you want!

But Smith can't protect you now.

[Amy Li grunts]

Whether you like it or not,

it's finished, princess.

[man shouting]

[glass shatters]

So what do you figure?

I figure we make ourselves visible.

That's great.

Sitting ducks.

Actually no, moving ducks.

Brilliant, man, that's the dumbest idea

I've heard all month.

How in the heck do you figure that?

There are two of us and one of him.

So he's got another bullet.

Maybe he brings some friends.

You ever think of that?

You got a better plan I'm all ears.

We disappear.

Smith and the authorities they bring the guy in.

Nobody gets hurt.

You were the guy that really didn't pay attention

in law school.

What's your point?

My point is, man, I've been a target

since I was 10 years old.

Bangers, dope dealers, cops.

Dudes that just didn't like my red hair.

All I know is I move, they gotta play my game.

[birds chirping]

[ominous music]

[eerie, distorted music]

Shien Gu.

You're so beautiful, you never change.

It's been a long time.

I was wondering if you'd even remember.

I'll never forget.

Mercy is a blessing.

Seems I only ask

a blue moon.

[Woman] The protector of the just

and the sword of God.

Ah.

I should ask more often.

[Woman] Go.

Your righteousness will prevail.

[rapid techno music]

[siren wails]

I'm hungry, you hungry?

You ever wonder how many restaurants

there are here in Shanghai?

That's them.

Let's go.

So I met this chick there one time.

Real [mumbles]

Gorgeous body and these tits

that went all the way to Pittsburgh.

Move!

[rapid techno music]

[people screaming]

[rapid techno music]

[crowd cheers and applauds]

[rapid techno music]

[chill techno music]

[grunts]

Get outta my life!

[mid tempo music]

Smith.

What a lovely surprise.

Let her go.

You're dreaming.

She doesn't mean anything to you.

[Khan] You're all so pathetic.

Well, then kill her.

But let's not waste any more time.

Your prince.

Willing to sell you out, just for me.

Let's do it, Khan.

What?

The apocalypse?

Here?

Now?

It wouldn't mean anything.

And you know it.

Tell her what it's really about.

I once offered him the opportunity

to kiss the face of glory.

He chose failure instead.

Let's end it, Khan.

Now, forever.

Tomorrow and yesterday.

Amen.

Well said.

But my work isn't finished.

When it is, I'll destroy you, Smith.

[grunts]

[Amy Li screams]

You'll have your Armageddon, Smith.

[intense music]

[Amy Li] Smith!

[Amy Li grunts]

[glass shatters]

He's a coward.

He had the chance to fight and didn't take it.

Worse.

He took away his face.

He always does.

You know what this means.

Yeah.

[siren wails]

A couple guys, fellow travelers I want you to meet.

Their names are JT and Mitchell.

Now you knew them a long time ago.

And it's your chance to meet them again.

He'll be back, won't he?

Oh yeah, he'll be reincarnated as somebody else.

Out to destroy us and the world.

Do you know who?

No, I never do.

The face of pure evil can look like anyone.

[exotic music]

But we'll find him.

[glasses clink]

Back to work.

[cool techno music]

[bird shrieks]

[cool techno music]