I finally saw this movie. I thought of giving it a miss when I see the trailer with scenes of messy action(like Chat Gim) and Andy's poor acting scenes. But then, I was curious as it compared to the original Blood Brothers. Friends said it was not that bad and the box office success in HK told me that it can't be as bad as Tsui Hark's last wuxia Seven Swords.
Compared to Blood Brothers(70s) the director gave this movie more budget and grand, a bigger scale story with war and politics thrown in, while the original simply concentrated on the well drafted 2 triangular affairs .
Briefly and as usual, I will just highlight the flaws. I am sure praises and pleases are already in abundant.
a) The opening intro did not make the opening and action scenes clear. Those without knowledge of Chinese history may find the opening confusing.
b) In the scene when Jet Li has part of a spear pierced through his shoulder, it is not straight.
c) Near the end when Jet Li got his men to trick Andy for a meeting to assassinate him and Takeshi tried to save him, the audience don't understand their direction and locations.
d) The most serious flaw in the movie is the script on the triangular affair. In olden Chinese days, a wife don't get to leave his house without the husband knowing and consent. Here, we see the female lead left the house twice when the husband just came home from far and it was not shown or explained or how the husband could not know about it.
e) The wife affair with Jet Li was also non-logical. The first time, the lady approached him(in bed) and when they can meet again, Let Li avoided him by staying out of the village. The lady ran all the way to look for him but turn back when he found his main door closed(not logic). Yet, the 3rd time they met, it's Jet Li's turn to go after her while she tried to run away. Their affairs just don't seems logic. The plot will be more convincing if it showed either one party had been more persistent all the way.
f) As usual, Andy Lau can never act well. Out of the 3, he has the most flaws, especially in scenes when he is supposed to act fierce and strong. His facial expression gave way and looks comical. Surprisingly Takeshi turned out the best.
Overall the movie is still worth a few dollars and 2 hours. Remind me of the rubbish Seven Swords(Chat Gim) but this is far better in action, acting, script, story and direction.
Compared to Blood Brothers(70s) the director gave this movie more budget and grand, a bigger scale story with war and politics thrown in, while the original simply concentrated on the well drafted 2 triangular affairs .
Briefly and as usual, I will just highlight the flaws. I am sure praises and pleases are already in abundant.
a) The opening intro did not make the opening and action scenes clear. Those without knowledge of Chinese history may find the opening confusing.
b) In the scene when Jet Li has part of a spear pierced through his shoulder, it is not straight.
c) Near the end when Jet Li got his men to trick Andy for a meeting to assassinate him and Takeshi tried to save him, the audience don't understand their direction and locations.
d) The most serious flaw in the movie is the script on the triangular affair. In olden Chinese days, a wife don't get to leave his house without the husband knowing and consent. Here, we see the female lead left the house twice when the husband just came home from far and it was not shown or explained or how the husband could not know about it.
e) The wife affair with Jet Li was also non-logical. The first time, the lady approached him(in bed) and when they can meet again, Let Li avoided him by staying out of the village. The lady ran all the way to look for him but turn back when he found his main door closed(not logic). Yet, the 3rd time they met, it's Jet Li's turn to go after her while she tried to run away. Their affairs just don't seems logic. The plot will be more convincing if it showed either one party had been more persistent all the way.
f) As usual, Andy Lau can never act well. Out of the 3, he has the most flaws, especially in scenes when he is supposed to act fierce and strong. His facial expression gave way and looks comical. Surprisingly Takeshi turned out the best.
Overall the movie is still worth a few dollars and 2 hours. Remind me of the rubbish Seven Swords(Chat Gim) but this is far better in action, acting, script, story and direction.