Those who are not familiar with the "Three Kingdoms" period in the history of China will be able to take the movie objectively as presented, character and all. Those who are (regardless of whether through the immensely popular classic novel or through academic studies) may not like the movie. While I am reasonably familiar with the background story (through the novel), the following comments are written from the perspective of the former.
While the movie borrows liberally background and characters from The Three Kingdoms, it tells its own story of the fatalistic nature of war. With its welcomed simplicity, the plot allows the movie makers to focus on this theme. The story is told, voice over, by professional soldier Luo Ping-an (Sammo Hung) who gets nowhere after decades of service while watching Zhao Zilong (Andy Lau), a young lad he recruited initially rise to become the most revered general. With impeccable loyalty to the Zu Kingdom through its rise and decline, Zhao comes full circle, after 30 years, to the same place where he made his name. In his final battle, he faces Cao Ying (Maggie Q), the granddaughter of the enemy he once humiliated, now sworn to avenge her grandfather.
This movie is a solid, well-crafted piece of coherent work. Andy Lau is perfect for the role of the hero. Maggie Q has demonstrated before that she is more than just a pretty face when it comes to gritty action. In this movie, she also projects the ferocious intensity inherited from a grandfather, a ruthless, cunning emperor and warrior. The action is second to none, particularly the stunning combat scenes on horseback. The photography does full justice to the savagely beautiful landscape and desolate mood. There is also a scene when the haunting sound of the pipa takes the horror of the slaughter in the battlefield to a new dimension. This movie is among the very best in its genre in recent memory.
While the movie borrows liberally background and characters from The Three Kingdoms, it tells its own story of the fatalistic nature of war. With its welcomed simplicity, the plot allows the movie makers to focus on this theme. The story is told, voice over, by professional soldier Luo Ping-an (Sammo Hung) who gets nowhere after decades of service while watching Zhao Zilong (Andy Lau), a young lad he recruited initially rise to become the most revered general. With impeccable loyalty to the Zu Kingdom through its rise and decline, Zhao comes full circle, after 30 years, to the same place where he made his name. In his final battle, he faces Cao Ying (Maggie Q), the granddaughter of the enemy he once humiliated, now sworn to avenge her grandfather.
This movie is a solid, well-crafted piece of coherent work. Andy Lau is perfect for the role of the hero. Maggie Q has demonstrated before that she is more than just a pretty face when it comes to gritty action. In this movie, she also projects the ferocious intensity inherited from a grandfather, a ruthless, cunning emperor and warrior. The action is second to none, particularly the stunning combat scenes on horseback. The photography does full justice to the savagely beautiful landscape and desolate mood. There is also a scene when the haunting sound of the pipa takes the horror of the slaughter in the battlefield to a new dimension. This movie is among the very best in its genre in recent memory.