The trio meet for the first time in Peony Pavilion, where Mei seduces
Jin and Leo with rhythmic dance, beating drums and CGI swordplay. She
moves with great agility and Jin and Leo are impressed by her beauty.
Mei is captured and interrogated, but Leo instructs Jin to stay undercover
in order to capture the leader of the group. Mei is jailed and threatened
with torture. Jin who has some feelings for Mei starts falling in love
with her. Mei escapes from the prison with Jin and they flee to the
rural countryside. They fight their way out of close calls with the
government soldiers.
Mei proves herself to be an excellent martial arts champion and Jin
is overwhelmed by her skills. They have many romantic moments together
which leads to growing love as well as closer physical contact. Meanwhile,
Leo is also in love with Mei. In this love triangle set against the
backdrop of an epic political struggle, find out who is going to win
the trust and love of Mei, and make the film a triumph of true love.
The veteran Chinese director Zhang Yimou is a dazzling storyteller
who always charmed the audience over the years with his excellent movies
like "Hero". He masterfully combines an epic tale with martial arts
and battle scenes. He narrates the story with aesthetic brilliance and
lyricism. "House of Flying Daggers" is a tribute to martial arts films.
The martial arts sequences are more exciting and elaborate than those
in "Hero". He cleverly portray the romantic intrigue between Mei and
the two men, with charm and brilliance. The film is overwhelmed with
Zhang Yimou's exhilarating imagination. This celebrated director of
Chinese films deserve to be honored with an Oscar in his category. Production
design and costumes are splendid. Cinematography by Zhao Xiaoding is
breathtaking. The changing of the seasons and the battle that takes
place in a bamboo forest will make the audience gasp with awe. Impeccably
choreographed, swordplay is awesome.
Zhang Ziyi as Mei captures the arrogance and vulnerability perfectly.
She is sexy and beautiful as well as deadly and devilish. Definitely
she delivers a great performance. A marvelous cast makes the film feel
like a tale of real life. This beautifully acted film can literally
hold your breath. If you liked "Hero", you will love this one. Another
classical movie of timeless Chinese myth, a perfect combination of art
and entertainment, as well as a love story and martial arts, filled
with beauty, charm and animatic grace. This is one of the best films
of the year.
We rate this movie Very Good.
