I’ve only seen part 1 of the original Asian release that ended up being divided in two parts. I guess it was released elsewhere in one edited version. Seems like yet another bloated nationalist Chinese historical epic thus far although that doesn’t mean that I’m not enjoying it. But I’ll watch most things with Tony Leung. A return to form for John Woo? Sure although his descent was so profound, he only had up to go.
Not a great film, but as another toss in the bucket of films based on events from Three Kingdoms, it’s a must see. Excellent recreations of some of the more fanciful battle formations described in Three Kingdoms. And yes, great performance by Little Tony!
I’ve seen it and it was horrible. Just plain bad. Ridiculous humor, ridiculuos “tragic” scenes. Performances were solid though. As long as the characters were just talking everything was okay, but when it came to the battle scenes I don’t know which was worse: the cheap cgi or the exaggerated martial arts. I guess the main problem was that t seemed like Woo couldn’t decide what genre the film should be, so he decided to put in a little bit of everything…
John Woo went back to China? Good for him. Too bad this movie sounds like a turkey.
I beg to differ guys, this movie imo is awesome. Perhaps you guys watched the shorter 2 1/2 hour film released outside of Asia. The original, longer film with two parts was far superior and is what I saw and was GREAT.
I read the script a couple years ago when they were planning on making the film; I remember liking it and thinking it would make for a good John Woo film. But I haven’t seen the actual film.
I did watch the 5 hour version. The biggest problem with it was the treatment of the female characters. In the novel Three Kingdoms, female characters are generically evil and emasculating, with the few heroic females being presented in contrast to the norm. Woo, or somebody (since Woo is not known for being particularly generous with his female characters) apparently thought some literary revisionism was in order, and it was done very, very badly… The tea sequences had me wishing for a nod to Goodbye South, Goodbye.
The first scene with the qin was great, the second was a bald attempt to recall the first. Though I suppose the same could be said about much of the second part of the film.
So, it WAS a GREAT Chinese epic, but not much of a film overall. The same could be send of Last Hurrah For Chivalry. Frankly, what of John Woo’s besides Bullet In The Head was really great?
I just finished the 5 hour version and loved every minute.
I’ve had this film sitting on my shelf for what seems like forever (couple months?). I’ll get around to watching it soon though. I want to be sure I’m in the mood for Woo so I don’t short-change him, heh.
This looks great, but I assume it’s been cut from its already (presumably) confusing huge length to something shorter for the US audience.
Yes, it’s been cut down to a two and a half hour cut.
Only watch part one so far and I’m enjoying it quite a bit. I love the setting and history of it all though so I’m pretty easily won over. Add Tony Leung and some excellent battle scenes and I’m game.
It does seem like it is terribly hard to follow for people who know nothing of many characters though. And so far I can spot a lot of little things that could easily be cut for a better flow. So far, so good though.
Finished the second one last night, I enjoyed them both.
JAEGER INKMAN
Has anyone seen this great movie? What do you think?