House of Flying Daggers
“The House of Flying Daggers”
By Daniel G. Jennings
The House of Flying Daggers is quite simply an incredibly beautiful movie that is also great entertainment.
The story of two medieval Chinese policemen caught up in a love triangle while trying to track down a ruthless rebel leader is secondary to the lush scenery, lavish sets, colorful costumes, frantic movement and graceful action. And that’s the way it should be. Yes there’s a beautiful romance and a clever plot with a great twist and great performances particularly from Chinese sensation Zhang Zhi whose skill as both a dancer and martial artist is on display but it’s the scenery and choreography that makes this movie.
Director Zhang Yimou has created what amounts to a new art form here by combining the fast-moving and visually stunning action of a Chinese adventure film with the visual artistry of great American directors like John Ford. The real star of this movie is the natural beauty of China, the fields, the forests, the bamboo, even the weather is used to create what looks like a great painting.
The artistry is made all the more effective by the fact that there’s nothing arrogant or pretentious about this movie. Zhang simply sets out to tell a good entertaining story in a visually stunning manner and succeeds. The lack of political commentary, obvious propaganda, or attempts at philosophical musings makes the film work. It’s a movie about emotions and people trying to live as human beings in a difficult time and do their duty.
Unlike Zhang’s last effort “Hero” there are no obvious political overtones and nothing pompous. The more personal take on the action makes it more effective. We actually care about the characters even though we don’t really get to know them.
Hopefully this movie will find a larger audience it’s not getting the push or widespread distribution “Hero” got. Unfortunately it doesn’t fit in with the present American film scene, a beautiful and artistic film that doesn’t try to be political won’t get far at the art houses. An action film that isn’t overtly commercial and treats women in a respectful manner and avoids junior high school humor won’t get very far at the multiplexes. So I don’t know if there’s an audience for this stuff, especially with a lot of American movie fans soured on Chinese films by the clunky and corny grade b Kung Fu flicks of the 1970s. The only hope is that word of mouth about this visually stunning film will attract a large audience.
Still, I can’t wait to see Zhang’s next effort he’s a great film maker who has transformed a b-movie staple the Chinese Sword Opera into true art. I just hope that his next film gets wide release in first class theaters in the United States. With Hollywood in its present story state, we Americans need to be reminded of what great movies look like.
By Daniel G. Jennings
The House of Flying Daggers is quite simply an incredibly beautiful movie that is also great entertainment.
The story of two medieval Chinese policemen caught up in a love triangle while trying to track down a ruthless rebel leader is secondary to the lush scenery, lavish sets, colorful costumes, frantic movement and graceful action. And that’s the way it should be. Yes there’s a beautiful romance and a clever plot with a great twist and great performances particularly from Chinese sensation Zhang Zhi whose skill as both a dancer and martial artist is on display but it’s the scenery and choreography that makes this movie.
Director Zhang Yimou has created what amounts to a new art form here by combining the fast-moving and visually stunning action of a Chinese adventure film with the visual artistry of great American directors like John Ford. The real star of this movie is the natural beauty of China, the fields, the forests, the bamboo, even the weather is used to create what looks like a great painting.
The artistry is made all the more effective by the fact that there’s nothing arrogant or pretentious about this movie. Zhang simply sets out to tell a good entertaining story in a visually stunning manner and succeeds. The lack of political commentary, obvious propaganda, or attempts at philosophical musings makes the film work. It’s a movie about emotions and people trying to live as human beings in a difficult time and do their duty.
Unlike Zhang’s last effort “Hero” there are no obvious political overtones and nothing pompous. The more personal take on the action makes it more effective. We actually care about the characters even though we don’t really get to know them.
Hopefully this movie will find a larger audience it’s not getting the push or widespread distribution “Hero” got. Unfortunately it doesn’t fit in with the present American film scene, a beautiful and artistic film that doesn’t try to be political won’t get far at the art houses. An action film that isn’t overtly commercial and treats women in a respectful manner and avoids junior high school humor won’t get very far at the multiplexes. So I don’t know if there’s an audience for this stuff, especially with a lot of American movie fans soured on Chinese films by the clunky and corny grade b Kung Fu flicks of the 1970s. The only hope is that word of mouth about this visually stunning film will attract a large audience.
Still, I can’t wait to see Zhang’s next effort he’s a great film maker who has transformed a b-movie staple the Chinese Sword Opera into true art. I just hope that his next film gets wide release in first class theaters in the United States. With Hollywood in its present story state, we Americans need to be reminded of what great movies look like.
posted by great one at 7:27 PM
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