Red Cliff Part 2 (2009) - Movie
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Movie Plot |
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With a budget of US$80million, "Red Cliff" is the most expensive Asian-financed film to date. The movie is based on historical records of "The Chronicles of the Three Kingdom" rather than the novel, "Romance of the Three Kingdom". In the early third century, the land of Wu is invaded by the warlord Cao Cao and his soldiers. The ruler of Wu, Sun Quan (Chang Chen), calls on the rival warlord Liu Bei (You Yong) for help, but their two armies are still badly outnumbered. However, the strategists Zhou Yu (Tony Leung) and Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) see that Cao Cao's army is unused to battling on the sea. With 200,000 men, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang defeat Cao Cao's army at the Yangtze River.
User's Review and Ratings |
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Almost flawless
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
What I loved most: Set pieces
What I really hated: Character of Xiao Qiao
This film is undeniably one of the best Chinese production to date. With its lavish sets and stunning visuals, it looks set to take on the entertainment scene by storm. The story continues from the cliffhanger climax of the first part when Viceroy Zhou and his ally Zhu Ge Liang are preparing a full onslaught against their major nemesis Cao Cao and his hundred thousands worth of troops. The introduction is very well done and concise, giving a brief yet elaborate overview of the major highlights of the first part. This sequel surpasses the first in terms of pacing and the witty and meaningful dialogue is well penned and sophisicated. The acting and the cast is top-notch and could not have been better, with everyone having a pivotal and consequential role which brings about the narrative flow. The battle sequences in the first were awesome and it is astounding to know that the production team has outdone itself by crafting battle scenes which are even more intense and awe-inspiring than the first. The only grievance it has is that it does suffer from some historical glitches but none too serious to affect the plot. Nonetheless, it is truly an affecting and religious experience and I look forward to reliving it on the big screen again some time soon.
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CO's Review |
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Thirty minutes into the second instalment of the most expensive Asian-financed film project ever, there is a sinking feeling that "Red Cliff" could have been a really great movie, only cut badly. Those Part 1 detractors who now have the reviewing shame of having dismissed the whole effort (this writer included), can at least divert your attention to the combined (and compressed) 180-minute Western release that we have been hearing about.
While international commercial success for the blockbuster was always guaranteed, a movie of such magnanimity is bound to come with lots of flaws. When viewed as an extension to the first, the second part of "Red Cliff" finally gives those poor characters in Part 1 something to do, instead of just standing about and admiring the expensive John Woo-approved backdrop. The "evil" Cao Cao (Zhang Fengyi) gets more meaningful screen time but the most improved character is definitely Lin Chi Ling's Xiao Qiao, who plays an important part in the final battle as opposed to just rubbing Tony Leung's back in the first instalment. The two share a particularly strong and memorable scene towards the end, where the great general concedes how he has lost to "a cup of tea, a gust of wind". Perhaps the only cast member still regrettable is Takeshi Kaneshiro, who still comes off as a smirking young upstart playing the sage Zhuge Liang.
The action is also much better. More intense and much dirtier, Woo's war is a spectacle to watch and not since Joan of Arc last fell from the arrow in "The Messenger" (1999) have we felt this close to the battle. Some of the ship warfare also appear very impressive, taking us back to Ridley Scott's "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World" (2003).
There's enough drama and blood spill in "Red Cliff Part 2" to make anybody think Part 1 was just as great, if they hadn't watched it and had seen this as a standalone.
It seems unlikely that Asia will attempt a movie of this enormity again for a long time, since John Woo has come good the second time around. On a more literary note though, let's hope the source material gets still more film adaptations - but less ambitious ones.
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