Director John Woo & action choreographer Corey Yuen take Asian cinema to a new level in this $80 million epic, Red Cliff, based on the historic "Battle of Red Cliff" at the southern bank of the Yangtze River in 208 A.D.
This is the most expensive Asian film ever, since most Asian films cost about $5 million. It shows, from the cast of thousands, CG effects, sweeping vistas & grand symphonic soundtrack by Taro Iwashiro.
Knowing a little about this era helps, but the basic story is about the North kingdom (Han dynasty) invading the two South kingdoms (Shu & Wu). The two South kingdoms ally themselves to form a meager army 50,000 against the overwhelming Han army of 800,000.
Unlike some recent period pieces like "Three Kingdoms", "Curse of the Golden Flower" & "Hero", this film isn't another propaganda piece to promote the righteousness & loyalty to the State, but the usual John Woo themes of brotherhood, machismo & weapons play to bring out the best in the male hero.
The great warrior Generals of the south fight with almost superhuman skill. They don't need dual automatic pistols, shotguns & sub-machineguns. Their spears & swords do an efficient job at the enemy, & the Humane Society would cringe at the number of horses collapsing, somersaulting & being knocked sideways like dominoes.
Equally impressive are how the armies of both sides operate with strategic, mechanized efficiency, enough to impress any fan of ancient war epics like Spartacus & Troy. It's a bloody film, with (un)healthy doses of slashing, stabbing, but there's no limbs being hacked.
Well, maybe a beheading or two. If you'll pardon the pun, this film is a cliffhanger,
so wait for the part 2 conclusion around January 2009. Technically speaking, this 1st movie is about events leading up to the naval battle at Red Cliff, & the U.S. release might combine two movies into one. Yes, there are white doves in the movie.