Red Cliff(Scheduled to be released November 18, 2009.)
Directed by: John WooStarring: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang FengyiWhat’s It AboutCao Cao’s leads a massive army with the intent of wiping out rebel forces and taking over their lands. Knowing that without uniting with other neighboring armies, they are sitting ducks, Zhuge Liang sets off to build an alliance with other forces in order to stand a chance against Cao’s men. Once the stage is set, both sides go to war.
ThoughtsWhat do you get when you combine a turtle and thousands of soldiers in a field? One of the most spectacular action sequences in recent cinema history! John Woo’s latest film, Red Cliff, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. After a number of changes to its cast, plagued production, injuries on the set, and having to trim down more than half of his film to please western audiences, we finally have the end result… and it’s GOOOOD!
Having used thousands of extras to generate the massive battles that take place, a number of ships that could rival those seen in Troy, and a budget that has allowed this film’s special effects and CGI teams to enhance the visuals splendor, Red Cliff boasts one of the best productions seen on the screen in some time! Watching a labyrinth like attack by the allies on Cao Cao’s men had me lifting up my jaw from the floor! When ships lit on fire were used as battering rams against an enemy fleet, I kept thinking this is why we go to the movies. Even with all the action though, it is Red Cliff’s story about honor, loyalty and friendship that truly drives the film. I was relieved to see that the western cut wasn’t completely butchered in a way that would make Red Cliff seem primarily like an action film (As is the case sometimes when Asian films are brought over to the US.) In addition to everything else, Lu Yue’s cinematography work is just compelling. You will fly by beautiful blue rivers, reach the peaks of China’s mountains and be amazed as you walk through military fortresses all thanks to Yue’s keen eye for detail. Makes one wonder why a film of this caliber could not be made in the US without having to spend over 200 million when this film was made for just 80 million.
The cast was just pitch perfect. Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun-Fat’s last minute departure from the film must have added pressure on the production since their names would have helped to sell the film to a western audience, but thankfully their replacements not only give solid performances, they make their roles memorable. Tony Leung (Hero, Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Lust/ Caution) takes charge as military strategist, Zhou Yu. A traditionalist in fighting techniques, Yu believes that art and war are one and the same. Leung is a ball of talent and I hope this film helps him get attention in the same manner that Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon helped Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh’s career here in America. Zhang Fengyi (Farewell My Concubine) plays warlord Cao Cao as a ruthless man who will stop at nothing to eliminate the allied forces. Fengyi played the character of Cao in such a convincing manner that whenever he showed a lighter side of him, it almost gave me the creeps. Strategist and scholar, Zhuge Liang, was played by Takeshi Kaneshiro (House of Flying Daggers) and was by far my favorite character. One of the best scenes involved Liang tricking the enemy camp into shooting arrows into boats he constructed from straw in order for the allies to gain more arrows. He spends the whole time in one of the straw boats drinking tea while waves of arrows fly right past him!
John Woo has created his magnum opus with Red Cliff. Too few words can describe the sheer beauty that unfolded before my eyes during its two and a half hour running time. I would almost dare to compare this work to one of Akira Kurosawa’s gems because in my humble opinion, it’s just that good. And with that, I think I just gave Mr. Woo’s epic the biggest compliment it could have gotten.
Memorable MomentWhen Zhou Yu sends a messenger dove out to Cao Cao’s fort, the camera tracks the bird's flight for 3 minutes, uncut, all the way through. Though the bird and parts of the scenery are CGI, it is still an impressive sight.
FYI The original uncut version of Red Cliff was split into two separate films and had a total running time of 280 minutes. The western cut of the film which combines both films runs for 148 minutes.
Score9 out of 10
