A wise author once wrote "Dark is not the opposite of light, meerly the lack of it" Theref...
A wise author once wrote "Dark is not the opposite of light, meerly the lack of it" Therefore will somebody change the bulb in my head for I feel it it is growing a little dim.
Member since:30.03.2004
Reviews:57
Members who trust:81
First of all I would like to tell you that even if you aren't a martial arts fan it doesn't mean that you won't like it.
This is a brilliant film from the brilliant director Ang Lee, who funnily enough was also the director of Sense And Sensibility (which by the way if you don't know is a very different film altogether). The choreographer was the total genius Yuen Wo Ping (means nothing I bet). How about if I tell you he also choreographed The Matrix? Now you're interested aren't you.
Now this film brings a fine blend of love, courage and a strong sense of honour and loyalty beyond anything you could imagine. It is set in the 19th century and is based on two main characters who are martial-arts masters. Li Mu Bai is played brilliantly by Chow Yun Fat, who was in replacement killers I believe.Then you have the other master played by Michelle Yeoh, she also starred in James Bonds
Tommorow Never Dies Which I might add She was Really good in.
Yes there is a bad guy, well gal actually, and she is played by Zhang Ziyi who is pretty much unknown. I can't off the top of my head any films she was in.
Anyway down to the story. Li Mu Bai has decided that his treasured possesion of a sword must be passed down. But this is not just any old sword, this is the green destiny which believe me is a very old sword and is pretty much indestructable, hence the reason it is very old. He decides that his most trusted friend Yu Shu Lien should be the one to deliver it and he would follow on a day or two later as he has business to attend to.
The next development is that although delivered safely to it's destination the Green Destiny is stolen by a young trainee master, well actually princess Zhang Ziyi, who is being trained by the real baddy behind it all Jade Fox. She is an old adversary of Li Mu Bai, believe me she is not a very nice person.
In this film you will see the brilliant fight scenes that although the laws of gravity deem impossible you can't help but feel are totally normal and not totally unreal which most other films can't do. Even when they are running up walls or running over rooftops whilst in combat I might add. There is even a brilliant scene where they are running through the tree tops. You don't even feel like this is totally unbeliveable. I sometimes look for strings or something but not this time, I was just glued in amazement. (how could this be, for I was taken in)
There are so many other such scenes that I couldn't possibly tell you about them all. It would ruin the desired effect of seeing it for the first time.
There is also the underlying feeling of sexual tension between the two main masters, but no he is bound by honour and the love of his late wife whom he loved dearly and forsaked all other's even after her death.
However in a sad ending he tells the other master how he feels but is killed in a final fight by a poison dart blown by his enemy Jade. (told you she was not nice.) Although this is quite predictable amongst the film world it doesn't leave you feeling short changed on a great film you actually feel it was sad but for the best.
As for the young warrior, she sees the light and the error of her ways. She does try to save his life but alas it is all in vain. She is then taken under the caring wing of Li and you feel that all has ended well (or as well as can be).
This film has it all and keeps you glued to the screen. If this doesn't then the subtitles will, but the film is of mandarin origin so you can forgive it ( besides I hate dodgy dubbing that can ruin a film.)
So please do at least give this film a try. I assure you that if you class yourself as a film lover it is a definate must in my eye. After all, not just any foreign film wins 40 awards including an oscar for best foreign language film. It also gained four BAFTA'S including best director (well how could it not) and critically acclaimed as a masterpeice of modern film.
SO WATCH IT OR ELSE!!!!!!
PS If you want to catch it then look out for it on channel 4 on Sunday 4th April at 9.00pm.
Martial Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Sho Kosugi, James Ryan, Jim Kelly, Jimmy Wang Yu, Bolo Yeung, Christopher Lee
Production Year: 1994 - Martial Arts - Director: Toby Russell - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Sammo Hung, Bruce Lee, Cynthia Rothrock, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chow Yun-Fat
Production Year: 1985 - Martial Arts - Director: Cory Yuen - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kurt McKinney, J.W. Fails, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kathie Sileno, Peter 'Sugarfoot' Cunningham
Production Year: 2003 - Martial Arts - Director: Paul Hunter - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Seann William Scott, James King, Karel Roden
I agree with you entirely when you say you don't need to be a marshal arts fan to enjoy this film. Top review of a top film!
melodysparks 12.08.2004 03:41
This was actually one of my very first DVDs and I enjoyed watching it the fight scenes were sensaional and the story perhaps bittersweet but all in all an excellent movie and an excellent review too
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Apr 2nd, 2004
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