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fresnelly · 09-19-2006, 05:09 AM

The Banquet Starring Ziyi Zhang. 9/10

This is an epic Chinese historical similar in style to House of Flying Daggers. The set up is that the Emporer was assassinated by his Brother, who usurps the throne. The new False Emporer takes the Empress as his own, but she still loves the exiled Prince, who is the true heir and also technically, her step-son and step-nephew. Confusing? It's not really, especially if you know Hamlet, upon which this is loosely based. All you need to know is that revenge is the order of the day.

The scenery and cinematography are amazing, and though this isn't strictly an action film, the fight sequences, choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping of Matrix fame, are stunning. Actually they were way more graphic than I was expecting, with plenty of impalings and blood everywhere. Nobody dies cleanly here.

It's a bit melodramatic at times, underscored by welling music but, this is a quibble. If you don't like foreign films or stylized dramas, then this isn't for you, but it definitely has a lot to offer.

09-19-2006, 05:09 AM	#1660 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	The Banquet Starring Ziyi Zhang. 9/10 This is an epic Chinese historical similar in style to House of Flying Daggers. The set up is that the Emporer was assassinated by his Brother, who usurps the throne. The new False Emporer takes the Empress as his own, but she still loves the exiled Prince, who is the true heir and also technically, her step-son and step-nephew. Confusing? It's not really, especially if you know Hamlet, upon which this is loosely based. All you need to know is that revenge is the order of the day. The scenery and cinematography are amazing, and though this isn't strictly an action film, the fight sequences, choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping of Matrix fame, are stunning. Actually they were way more graphic than I was expecting, with plenty of impalings and blood everywhere. Nobody dies cleanly here. It's a bit melodramatic at times, underscored by welling music but, this is a quibble. If you don't like foreign films or stylized dramas, then this isn't for you, but it definitely has a lot to offer. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life Last edited by fresnelly; 09-19-2006 at 05:11 AM..