chinesefan Reviews

The Warlords (2007)

Some flaws but better than the trailer.(some spoilers)

[7/10 · 5 January 2008]

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.

Casino Royale (2006)

Could be much better......

[7/10 · 26 November 2006]

Yes, this Bond film is a far different from those in the past except for the title sequence, M and the dialogue. Thus, making it the least Bond-like film. In fact, more like Die-Hard Begins. I am sure Bond fans will miss those gadgets and the Bond theme which are minimum here. Hope they will bring them back in the future. It could have been much better if not because of too many co-incidental or accidental situations that favor Bond during those important action scenes. Just too many making them unconvincing although the fights are exciting and realistic. Wonder why they choose this actress to be Vesper. Her acting is not good enough. Her make-up for her glamour entrance to the casino was a great mistake or failure. Penelope Cruz will be a better choice. I would have given it a 9/10 if not for the above flaws.

Poseidon (2006)

Realistic and Entertaining !!!

[8/10 · 14 May 2006]

After reading the earlier comments here, I am quite skeptical about this movie. Being a great fan of the 70's version, I saw this trailer, although quite impressed, the poor cast nearly put me off. I thought to myself, it can't be bad with this director and why would they take such a risk if there is nothing better than the original ? After reading so many comments here about the poor characters development and since hardly anyone criticized the action and effect scenes, I went for it. After all, the most important aspect in such movie is the effects. I am so worried that it will use CGI effects like most Hollywood movies today. To my surprise, it turned out to be GOOD !! The opening scene is a winner. The one take shot showing the all round of the ship far and near is memorable. Make sure you don't enter late. The ship is real, unlike the one in Titanic. Sorry, somehow you tend to compare it with The Poseidon Adventure and Titanic. Those who felt there are short of action scenes in Titanic or if the exterior of the ship in Titanic is unrealistic will be satisfied with this one. At least, here you see where all the money went(although I am not sure if this movie cost more than Titanic or not). Another big surprise for me is, just like The Poseidon Adventure, the shots are all so real, without any noticeable computer effects except for one single fast scene when it showed the interior of the ship when a girl victim fell all the way down. All the other scenes are so real, nothing like this in a Hollywood movie since The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno. Compared to the 70's P.A, this one has more and better exciting incidents, faster paced all the way till the end. Although technically, I don't know whether all the interior settings are based correctly on a real ship, all the incidents are better and more exciting here except that we do not have a memorable one like Shelley Winters' swimming scene. To compare the 2 films, in brief, the 70's one has 3 most outstanding scenes that we don't find it here. That is when the ship went upside down and many people fell all right down to the ceiling, climbing the Christmas tree, and Shelley Winters's swimming scene. In this one, we don't have any of such memorable scenes that you will remember after a few years and there is not a single song fully performed like the original's memorable one. The casts and characters here are not as outstanding but to say that the dialogue and characters are weak is misleading. The movie maybe a bit short but all the impressive settings and actions, non-stop one after another is worth the ticket and the time. I may not like this movie as much as I like the The Poseidon Adventure the first time but I liked this far better than the Titanic. Those who liked disasters movie will like this. Those who have seen the original and The Towering Inferno will not get disappointed. Those who have not seen the original will enjoy it much more. Those who hate to see fake computer effects like in most movies must not miss it.

Red Eye (2005)

A movie full of silly flaws and meant for kids !!(SPOILERS)

[4/10 · 7 January 2006]

I don't like to condemn a movie but I must do so on this one.

The first 15 mins already out me off.

You mean the whole plot depended on the girl's grandma passing away, otherwise the villain got no scheme ? After she stabbed him on the throat, why should she run all the way ? Why don't she explain to the flight staffs or airport security ? They will believe her because of her hotel manageress position and one of the stewardess already saw them in the toilet together and felt suspicious.

Knowing her battery is weak, why did she take so long to tell her staff of the assassination attempt ? Can't she jump straight to the point ? Why did he chased her all the way from plane - airport - home and never make an attempt to make a call to his assassin ?? After all the chasing in the house near the end, why don't the villain just hold his dad(who is helpless) lying there as hostage or even finish off the dad first ? These are just a few silly major flaws that insulted every adult audience !! Unlike Flightplan which has a highly unbelievable plot, the happenings and characters' actions are still possible. The happenings and reactions of the 2 lead characters in Red Eye is totally absurd !! Anyhow, if a person can enjoy a movie without considering the script or its logic, this a a good one.

King Kong (2005)

Disappointing !! a little spoiler marked ##########

[6/10 · 1 January 2006]

In short, I find this movie disappointing. The only success in this version is the beast, except for its size. Even a kid can tell he appears times more than 20 ft. He appears very realistic and "acted" very very well. Nothing else is up to expectations. The CGI is horrible, especially when all the tame large dinosaurs are running and those human characters running below them and when KK is in the streets of New York. This is 2005, how could it be so poorly done ? It gave the impression that there is a cut in budget. After all the struggle on Empire Tower#######SPOIlERS START########with the planes, they should at least show the 2 planes crash to the ground, as well as KK, why can't they show him touch the ground ? Cut budget ???? The CGI is some parts are very poor too. Especially when all the large tame dinos are running and the humans run below them, its so unrealistically seen and the near end when KK is on the streets of New York, you can tell the CGI is not up to standard ######SPOILERS END######

That Naomi What ??? She just cannot act. Reminds me of an uglier version of Nicole Kidman. Jessica Lange will be better remembered. AB is a big waste. He should be part of the action on the Empire Tower with KK and the girl. His absence there made the movie incomplete. The action scenes are just meant for todays' kids who have not seen the Raiders of the Lost Ark or Jurassic Park Series. Compared with those, this KK is nothing thrilling. That male lead's character and acting is so cliché, you feel insulted every time he appears. The script is nowhere better. Many happenings, especially, before the journey starts all depended on coincidental consequences making in it unconvincing. Why should AB accept to stay in that animal room ? He could easily demand a proper room as that male lead is at his mercy to write the script.Some parts are over draggy. The best parts are the drama between KK and the girl but till the end, its not clearly shown what KK thinks. It gave the impression that KK thought the other humans "kidnap" the girl, that made him mad. There are too many creatures, making it a bore. It should be titled as King Kong Vs. other Creatures or something and not just King Kong.

The Myth (2005)

Another satisfying film by Stanley Tong. Some good new ideas.

[7/10 · 30 September 2005]

I don't like to watch a JC movie because his acting ability is poor and his action tricks and jokes are always the same BUT this one is still worth a watch. I watch it because of Stanley Tong who directed some of the best JC movies in the past. I must say the credit goes fully to him. So far, all his movies maintained a certain standard. In fact, I think he is the best HK big scale action film director since the 90's if Tsui Hark represented the 80's. Compared to the recent Tsui Hark's Seven Swords, The Myth is much much better for its creativity, action, story or plot. Although the overall lead casts(all 4 plus the villain professor) did not acted well, the movie was saved by some very new and unusual storyline, setting and action tricks which I shall not give away here. Giving it away as spoilers will also spoil the fun of watching it. I did not see this movie with high hope after watching the trailer but to my surprise and enjoyment, the best parts of the movie are all NOT shown in the trailer. The Indian part in the film is the worse and obviously made for Jacky to penetrate the Indian market. The Indian actress did not act well at all. She did have a near full frontal scene but edited quickly and shown from her side view. The better acting is done by the good general closest to JC and the bad general acted by Yu Ron Kong.

Flightplan (2005)

An Excellent................(too bad, anything more described will spoil)

[9/10 · 30 September 2005]

Anyone who loved a mystery or thriller action must not miss it. This is my most enjoyable English-speaking film(although not the best) since more than a dozen years because I love this genre. Needless to say, Jodie Foster fans cannot miss it too. No one could do better in her role.

The plot was so intelligently made out. Not surprised if we see a lot of people not being able to figure out and think there are holes in it. Actually there are no holes, all convincingly logic. So in order to enjoy this movie, don't let any plot holes(if you think so) spoiled your mood. It will be figured out before the end.

The direction and editing are both SUPERB. The scenes and cinematography are beautiful. I enjoyed it from the very first scene all the way till the end without a moment of boredom. Not like most HW movies. The acting are all very good too. Too bad, I cannot describe anything more. This is 1 movie BEST seen without even seeing the poster. Note: I consider something written on the poster as spoiler. To enjoy this movie to the fullest, best not to even know what kind of genre it is, a drama ? mystery, thriller or action ? I better stop here before spoiling anyone who has not watched it. Enjoy the flight !!

The Wayward Cloud (2005)

Disappointing !! What else will Tsai direct in future ??

[6/10 · 3 September 2005]

Firstly I must justify that this will be a better film if one has not watched many of Tsai Min Liang's movies. As I have seen nearly all(except for the previous one, Bu San) this is a great disappointment to me. As of all his movies which are low budget, nearly no music and having minimum dialog, Tsai has always successfully used silence to hit our sense but I think this one is a failure.

Except for the female nude(probably the ugliest looking porno actress) scenes, nearly everything else has been done in his previous movies; water problem, use of water melon, musical interludes, the same few faces,masturbation, quiet apartments, etc. And like all his previous films(Bu San, I am not sure) there is always a link with the same characters name and plot or the same style of movie making, this one looks like a sum up of all his previous movies, with more sex and nude scenes for box office appeal. Lets see what else can he offer next ?

This time the female lead gets more scenes than before but I think she did not act well enough(even her moaning is poor and unrealistic compared to the Japanese) and Tsai's frequent actor, Lee Kang Sheng who never failed to bare or do some lonely sex, did the extreme in this one but unfortunately he appeared old and a bit out of shape.

Only the musical interludes saved the movie but they are not as well made as in his previous The Hole.

Lets hope this is not going to be the end of Tsai Min-Liang's directing career.

Return of the Sentimental Swordsman (1981)

Not among the better ones but had the most male Shaw actors

[6/10 · 26 August 2005]

This is certainly not as good as the director's earlier Killer Clans, Magic Blade, Clans of Intrigue, Jade Tiger, Death Duel, Sentimental Swordsman, Clans of Amazon, Heroes Shed no Tears etc and the plot is simpler but like all his KU Lung adaptations, never short of surprises or twists. Interestingly, this movie has the most male stars compared to his other movies. We have Ti Lung, Fu Sheng, Derek Yee(a top HK director now) and Ku Feng in the important roles as well as Yueh Hua, Lo Lieh and Liu Yung, a good collection just to keep their faces as a reference. Some characters, weapons and fights made it interesting to watch.

Zu Warriors (2001)

Boring and Meaningless Remake

[2/10 · 15 August 2005]

This movie was rated among the worse movie of Tsui Hark's and a box office failure in Asia but I don't understand why so many voters' comments here gave it a full 10 votes here. This is simply the worst movie of such genre and I don't understand why the director could do a remake of his own without being sure of improvement. Obviously this film was made for commercial reasons. During the 2 years before this film was made, everyone Chinese movie fan is talking about the epic and commercial success of Feng yun xiong ba tian xia(Storm Riders(1998/98) and Tsui Hark changed his personal style and copied that movie's style, effects and ideas. Another victim among those who copied other's success. Stick to his 80's version acted by Brigitte Lin which is so much better and the effects are much more realistic. There is no sense of direction and the story was simply boring you will feel like walking off after 15 minutes. The action scenes and plots are mindless. If anyone can enjoy such movie, I recommend Storm Riders, a very similar style movie but the story and action is more interesting and logical. The only thing a bit watchable is some of the characters and weapons creation but we are not watching a picture book. This is a movie. Don't be fooled by the name "Ziyi Zhang"(Memoirs of a Geisha) as she appeared only for a very short scene and can hardly be recognized.

Dragon Inn (1992)

An Interesting Remake of the King Hu Classic

[7/10 · 10 August 2005]

Some people may get this movie confused with the highly acclaimed 1966 original of the same title by the legendary King Hu(Come Drink With Me, A Touch of Zen). Although not as good as the original, this one has more action to appeal for younger audience and the additional character of the inn lady played by Maggie Cheung is great fun. And there was the immortal Brigitte Lin. Unfortunately, the plot and script(reportedly) suffered due to an eye injury caused on Brigitte's eye during shooting and the producers need to rush the film's completion for the festival time's screening.

Not as successful in the box-office as Swordsman 2, not as good as the highly acclaimed and artistic Ashes of Time, and not a cult success like White Hair Bride, this movie is still fun to watch. (Incidently, all 4 starred Brigitte Lin, around the same time and I consider them the most successful of the 90's Wuxia)

Dragon Inn (1967)

The 1st Chinese Sword-fighting Classic and Box Office Champion

[9/10 · 10 August 2005]

This is the original of the 1992 remake of the same title(with a NEW) and 2nd of the "INN" trilogy by King Hu after Come Drink With Me. It was a major hit all over Chinese areas in South East Asia and discovered Shang Kuan Ling Feng(note the mistake by a previous comment)as the 2nd most popular Sword woman(the 1st was Cheng Pei Pei, and later 3rd Hsu Feng(Hsia Nu aka A Touch of Zen). All these 3 females stars are made popular by him and they are also the 3 most popular swords women in Chinese Cinema.

If there is any complaint by any viewer, it's the pace that many may find it a bit slow but isn't most highly regarded movies slow ?? The finale scene is the most climatic in a Chinese action that critc compared this film to "Rio Bravo" and "The Wild Bunch".

Beware of some mistakes in the original English subtitles mentioned by the director himself.

You can watch some scenes of it if you go to the movie Bu San(2003) aka Goodbye, Dragon Inn(here in IMDb and watch the trailer) which paid tribute to this movie.

The 90's remake is nothing better except for an additional character well acted by Maggie Cheung.

The Enchanting Shadow (1960)

Wow, a very special Chinese Ghost Story movie

[9/10 · 7 August 2005]

Eversince watching the HK 1987 remake by Ching Siu-Tung, I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to watch this original so badly. So much had been heard about the famous actress who committed suicide at an early age. I find this version very different from the 80's version. I think fans of modern cinema will prefer the newer version as there are more fantasy, action and subplots but I find it difficult to compare which is a better movie. This version is more like a classical film and I find the direction and acting better. I find the horror scenes better too. The male lead is no Leslie Cheung and good too but appear over-aged as a scholar. The female ghost is much better and definitely better than the 80's version. I am totally enchanted by her look and acting. I cannot believe she is the same actress who played the female lead in Liang San Po and Chuk Ying Tai and the weak girl in another Chinese classic story, Dreams of the red chamber. She is so enchanting and sexy here. My vote here maybe overrated because of her.

Seven Swords (2005)

A poor imitation of mixed ideas

[1/10 · 7 August 2005]

I watched this movie for several reasons although I have read so many bad reviews about it. Because I was once a big fan of the director. Because I love those sword fight movies in recent years and because I want to find out whether Leon Lai and Charlie Yeung have any improvement in their acting. And I regret wasting my afternoon. Their acting was terrible and the movie was just a poor mixed of stolen ideas from other films or other filmmakers example The Korean MUSA, Japanese SEVEN SAMURAIS and HK's Wong Kar Wai. The script was also bad although the original plot is okay. The action scenes are not convincing enough, suffered from poor action choreography. If the director think this is art or stylish, he should engage Wong Kar Wai's team to shoot it. The film might have suffered from a limited budget; better actors, action director and scriptwriters should be used.