By Leora Haynes
Viewing At: Nu Metro
Release Date: Released
Directed By John Woo
Screenplay By: Terence Chang; John Woo; Khan Chan; Kuo Cheng; Sheng Heyu
Cast:
Tony Leung; Takeshi Kaneshiro; Hou Yong; Sheng Heyu; Chang Chen; Zhang Fengyi; Hu Jun
Genre: Adventure
Classification: PG 13
Running time: 148 minutes
John Woo opens history's pages to A.D. 208 and takes the viewer on an enthralling adventure back to the three kingdoms and the epic battle of Red Cliff. Prime-minister-turned-general Cao Cao is a power hungry, egotistical man whom wants to have the kingdoms and beautiful woman (What would the plot be without her?) for himself. Trapped by childhood longings, he mistakes unrequited love for distant affection and his cup literally runs over.
Viewing At: Nu Metro
Release Date: Released
Directed By John Woo
Screenplay By: Terence Chang; John Woo; Khan Chan; Kuo Cheng; Sheng Heyu
Cast:
Tony Leung; Takeshi Kaneshiro; Hou Yong; Sheng Heyu; Chang Chen; Zhang Fengyi; Hu Jun
Genre: Adventure
Classification: PG 13
Running time: 148 minutes
John Woo opens history's pages to A.D. 208 and takes the viewer on an enthralling adventure back to the three kingdoms and the epic battle of Red Cliff. Prime-minister-turned-general Cao Cao is a power hungry, egotistical man whom wants to have the kingdoms and beautiful woman (What would the plot be without her?) for himself. Trapped by childhood longings, he mistakes unrequited love for distant affection and his cup literally runs over.
The battle scenes are superbly pieced together with aid from computer technology and the costume designer Tim Yip makes sure the costumes are historically accurate, profound and dignified. The settings can sometimes be seen as digitally enhanced, but not to the film's demise. The film won Best Visual Effects at the 3rd Asian Film Awards as well as the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards.
Costing a small sum of $80 million to produce, Red Cliff is currently the most expensive Chinese film ever created. However, viewers of non-Asian descent may find this film less encapsulating than its Asian counterparts and thus this famous war may deem insignificant and not get the acclaim from the Western world that it so badly deserves.
On an intricate level however, the actors need to warm up to one another more and certain scenes lagged, but where boredom threatens to ensue, Red Cliff attributes Chinese martial arts on such a large scale that it makes Jackie Chan look like the “Before” version of the Karate Kid.Symbolism is rife and John has such an ornate way of directing that he gives an ornamental shine to even the least beautiful forms, such as death.
Symbolism and ancient Chinese wisdom is on the tip of every arrow but it is up to the viewer to unleash his inner Confucius and perhaps read up on the historical happenings behind the inspiration for the film, before watching it.
To sum up: A dramatically scrumptious film that enthrals and evokes all the viewer's senses for an experience which will leave them satisfied and yearning for more. I would give this film six & half out of 10. But don't take my word for it. Please leave your own comments and ratings. See you at the movies.
Yihuir jian! (See You Later)
Costing a small sum of $80 million to produce, Red Cliff is currently the most expensive Chinese film ever created. However, viewers of non-Asian descent may find this film less encapsulating than its Asian counterparts and thus this famous war may deem insignificant and not get the acclaim from the Western world that it so badly deserves.
On an intricate level however, the actors need to warm up to one another more and certain scenes lagged, but where boredom threatens to ensue, Red Cliff attributes Chinese martial arts on such a large scale that it makes Jackie Chan look like the “Before” version of the Karate Kid.Symbolism is rife and John has such an ornate way of directing that he gives an ornamental shine to even the least beautiful forms, such as death.
Symbolism and ancient Chinese wisdom is on the tip of every arrow but it is up to the viewer to unleash his inner Confucius and perhaps read up on the historical happenings behind the inspiration for the film, before watching it.
To sum up: A dramatically scrumptious film that enthrals and evokes all the viewer's senses for an experience which will leave them satisfied and yearning for more. I would give this film six & half out of 10. But don't take my word for it. Please leave your own comments and ratings. See you at the movies.
Yihuir jian! (See You Later)
