House of Flying Daggers (B+ or 3/4 stars)
In 2002 (though released in America in early 2004), Chinese director Zhang Yimou gave us a fantastic martial arts epic in Hero. 2 short years later, he delivers the wonderfully melodramatic 'House of Flying Daggers'. Both films look & sound similar - staggering cinematography, ornate period design, wondrous costumes, sweeping music & amazing visual-effect aided martial arts choreography - but while Hero features complex Rashomon-styled storytelling, this latest film focuses more so on a stirring, if tragic love story. That makes this latest film seem more simplistic, but it is none the less effective. In 859 A.D., the corrupt Tang dynasty is beset by rebellion, so Leo (Andy Lau) & Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) are a pair of lawmen given the task of uncovering the leaders of a revolutionary faction known as the Flying Daggers.
Working on a tip that members of this rebel group are working in a brothel, Jin arrives there in disguise & is introduced to the rumored leader of this faction, beautiful blind dancer, Mei (Ziyi Zhang). In one of the 3 incredible set pieces of this visually elegant film, Mei performs the 'Echo Game' for Leo. He throws a bean that ricochets off a circle of drums; she slaps her long sleeves on the exact spots where the bean hit the drums; she performs this accurately until Leo tries to fake her out by throwing a jar of beans, creating a clamor of noise to identify correctly. In an incredible feat, she matches the beans' movements. It is here where Leo & Jin realize what a formidable woman warrior she likely is. After watching Mei's performance, Jin drunkenly attempts to have his way with her, and Leo is forced to intervene.
After gaining Mei's trust in a game of skill, police captain Leo arrests her & informs her that she'll be tortured if she doesn't tell him all she knows about the Flying Daggers. Jin - pretending to be an outlaw named Wind - then helps Mei break out of prison, but has an ulterior motive ... by following her, both Jin & Leo {who's in on this ruse} are sure that she'll lead them to the Flying Daggers. However, though he tries to seduce Mei with his ladies' man ways, as he helps Mei find her way home, Jin finds himself genuinely falling in love with her ... and vice-versa. While on the run, they endure several vicious attacks by gov't soldiers {including an amazing set piece in a bamboo forest}, and Mei proves herself to be a phenomenal martial artist, possessing skills that Wind has seen in a woman. Can he continue his betrayal against Mei? And what would happen if Leo were to find out about this clandestine romance? Twists, melodrama, stunning adventures & tragedy ensue.
So much about Yimou's 2002 masterpiece Hero was about color and, 'House of Flying Daggers' is no different; utilizing brilliant turquoises, salmons & pinks. As the action shifts to the countryside, the colors become more natural, although seemingly amplified. A field of flowers contains vibrant browns & yellows. The aforementioned bamboo forest contains greens the likes you've never seen before {the showering-of-daggers stunt work is awe-inspiring}. And the film's climax is an extraordinary 3-person battle that shifts from autumnal reds to stark winter whites in one extended sequence. Cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao blew me away with his compositions & color palettes. Academy Award winner Emi Wada's (for 1985's Ran) costumes are noteworthy {beautiful gowns/robes, military wear, etc.} -- the attention to detail is mind-blowing. And the breathtaking visuals are aided by a romanticized musical score by Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi.
Ziyi Zhang gives an outstanding performance that showcases her dancing ability, her ability to convey blindness, her believability as a fearless combatant, as well as some highly emotional moments late in the game {watch her face when she realizes Wind has returned after they had parted ways}. As Jin/Wind, Takeshi Kaneshiro makes for a charismatic, dashing romantic hero. Andy Lau's character of Leo is more complex than you think; and he executes said role with aplomb. Director Yimou Zhang is a master of providing a rich cinematic tapestry; whether it is with these ravishing martial arts epics or his more personal historical dramas (like Ju Dou, To Live or Raise the Red Lantern). Now, although this film contains melodrama, touching moments, tragedy & tears ... I was not as emotionally affected as I thought I'd be. That would be the one knock I have against it. Otherwise, I praise 'House of Flying Daggers' as a lush, poetic martial arts melodrama to revel in.
Working on a tip that members of this rebel group are working in a brothel, Jin arrives there in disguise & is introduced to the rumored leader of this faction, beautiful blind dancer, Mei (Ziyi Zhang). In one of the 3 incredible set pieces of this visually elegant film, Mei performs the 'Echo Game' for Leo. He throws a bean that ricochets off a circle of drums; she slaps her long sleeves on the exact spots where the bean hit the drums; she performs this accurately until Leo tries to fake her out by throwing a jar of beans, creating a clamor of noise to identify correctly. In an incredible feat, she matches the beans' movements. It is here where Leo & Jin realize what a formidable woman warrior she likely is. After watching Mei's performance, Jin drunkenly attempts to have his way with her, and Leo is forced to intervene.
After gaining Mei's trust in a game of skill, police captain Leo arrests her & informs her that she'll be tortured if she doesn't tell him all she knows about the Flying Daggers. Jin - pretending to be an outlaw named Wind - then helps Mei break out of prison, but has an ulterior motive ... by following her, both Jin & Leo {who's in on this ruse} are sure that she'll lead them to the Flying Daggers. However, though he tries to seduce Mei with his ladies' man ways, as he helps Mei find her way home, Jin finds himself genuinely falling in love with her ... and vice-versa. While on the run, they endure several vicious attacks by gov't soldiers {including an amazing set piece in a bamboo forest}, and Mei proves herself to be a phenomenal martial artist, possessing skills that Wind has seen in a woman. Can he continue his betrayal against Mei? And what would happen if Leo were to find out about this clandestine romance? Twists, melodrama, stunning adventures & tragedy ensue.
So much about Yimou's 2002 masterpiece Hero was about color and, 'House of Flying Daggers' is no different; utilizing brilliant turquoises, salmons & pinks. As the action shifts to the countryside, the colors become more natural, although seemingly amplified. A field of flowers contains vibrant browns & yellows. The aforementioned bamboo forest contains greens the likes you've never seen before {the showering-of-daggers stunt work is awe-inspiring}. And the film's climax is an extraordinary 3-person battle that shifts from autumnal reds to stark winter whites in one extended sequence. Cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao blew me away with his compositions & color palettes. Academy Award winner Emi Wada's (for 1985's Ran) costumes are noteworthy {beautiful gowns/robes, military wear, etc.} -- the attention to detail is mind-blowing. And the breathtaking visuals are aided by a romanticized musical score by Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi.
Ziyi Zhang gives an outstanding performance that showcases her dancing ability, her ability to convey blindness, her believability as a fearless combatant, as well as some highly emotional moments late in the game {watch her face when she realizes Wind has returned after they had parted ways}. As Jin/Wind, Takeshi Kaneshiro makes for a charismatic, dashing romantic hero. Andy Lau's character of Leo is more complex than you think; and he executes said role with aplomb. Director Yimou Zhang is a master of providing a rich cinematic tapestry; whether it is with these ravishing martial arts epics or his more personal historical dramas (like Ju Dou, To Live or Raise the Red Lantern). Now, although this film contains melodrama, touching moments, tragedy & tears ... I was not as emotionally affected as I thought I'd be. That would be the one knock I have against it. Otherwise, I praise 'House of Flying Daggers' as a lush, poetic martial arts melodrama to revel in.