A Chinese Musical Journey - Beijing DVD

Advantages: Well written, well directed, well acted
Disadvantages: N/A

...Peking rooftops, running on water, and balancing on branches no thicker than a pencil all add to the charm of this epic. If you are into Van Damme and Steven Segal movies you are in for a shock, this is how China make Martial Arts Movies, and this is how they should be watched. My only gripe is that it is not at enough cinemas in the UK are showing, but that is the fault of cinema chains and their shortsighted, money hungry, how many bums can we get on seats attitude. This film deserved every BAFTA it received, and I'm glad it did well in the Oscars, which in my opinion can be a lot more fickle about forgein films. It is now available on DVD and Video, It see the film the way it was intended Rent the chinese with subtitles and not the dubbed, and if you have DVD, do the same, and watch it with english subtitles.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Moving, subtle performances
Disadvantages: Too long

...explanations of what particular period it is that flick up on to the screen, but the film will undoubtedly make most sense to those who are aware of the background. This is without a doubt one of the reasons why this film was not more popular in this country and the US. I still think that it is worth overlooking this - the film is still good in its own right and is a chance to learn a little more about Chinese history. Beijing opera (also known as Peking opera - Peking is the old name for Beijing) is not anything like western opera. For the uninitiated, the sound is jarring and it may take a bit of getting used to. Fortunately, it is visually stunning to watch, with brightly-coloured costumes and bizarre face make-up, which more than makes up for the high-pitched singing and metallic clanking of the instruments. This colour is all the more... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Hopefully the start of Chinese movies going mainstream
Disadvantages: Not being shown in enough cinemas

...Peking rooftops, running on water, and balancing on branches no thicker than a pencil all add to the charm of this epic. If you are into Van Damme and Steven Segal movies you are in for a shock, this is how China make Martial Arts Movies, and this is how they should be watched. My only gripe is that it is not at enough cinemas nationwide, but that is the fault of cinema chains and their shortsighted, money hungry, how many bums can we get on seats attitude. This film deserved every BAFTA it received, and I hope it does as well in the Oscars, which in my opinion can be a lot more fickle about forgein films.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful