Brian Zhang Larsen’s Blog

Last summer came the first part of the awaited movie Red Cliff, which was just one of several movies that year based on stories from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. A 700 year old classical novel, describing the fall of the Han dynasty and the start and end of the three kingdoms and the beginning of the Jin Dynasty. The book is pretty complex, and features extensive name dropping, and I must admit that i didn’t finish Vol. 1 of this massive novel. Among other things I was continuously annoyed by the Wade Giles romanization of the names.

Red Cliff is a two-part movie and is one of the few movies from the Chinese mainland, that are released outside China. The movie is expected to gain substantial popularity outside China as well when it is released sometimes in 2009, but I am not so sure. I love the movie, and it is one of the best movies of 2008 (part 1, that is), but I’m am not sure i speak for the majority of westerners.
The movie is directed by John Woo, and that alone could bring a crowd to the movie theater. But the Recent Chinese movies that have gained popularity in the west is epic almost art like dramas. Crouching tiger was a hit, followed by Hero and the latest House of the Flying Dagger. Those movies were all an extreme beautiful mix of location, choreography and underlying music. The story in itself was not essential. With Red Cliff it is different. It has an action driven plot, and are very different from the traditional dramas so popular outside China. It lack the deep emotion appealing storyline which has been a trusted ingredient in Chinese movies from Zhang Yimou’s movies from the 80′ies and 90′ies to Ang Lees recent mainland movies. Last, it’s CGI is not on par with western expectations, which tends to be a big point of critique in the west. I could imagine this was why, the otherwise great movie The Promise failed to deliver (that, and the funny hats).

I look forward to see how the movie will do here though, when it is released somewhere in 2009.

It seems it will be a good year for kung fu Movies. I compiled a list of some of the promising upcoming movies in this genre, including some of the not so promising, but still worthy of mentioning somehow.
This year’s releases includes two kung fu sports movies, similar to Shaolin soccer, which I must admit, I didn’t watch myself. Both are probably not worth watching, but still worth mentioning.

Shaolin girl is a Japanese production about a Kung fu fighting, Lacrosse playing woman, who uses her mad skilzz on the field. She is played by Kou Shibasaki who also played Dororo, in the bizarre movie of same name.
Trailer

Kung fu dunk, is as the name suggest a basketball movie, but as I understand, without the humour that made Shaolin soccer popular. The movie is based on a Manga, surprisingly about a Basketball playing Shaolin kung fu student.
Trailer

Of the more serious kung fu movies, I personally will look forward to these:

The Forbidden Kingdom, has high potential with actors like Jet Li and Jackie Chan. The starring of Jackie Chan, might also suggest that this movie is on the more family friendly side.
Trailer

Wushu, is still a joker in my eyes. Not much info has been released, in English that is, and my Chinese level is still disappointingly low. I did find a little teaser-like clip, including live performance and interview with the actors.

An Empress and the Warriors, is another high potential epic martial arts movie. Judging from the trailer, the style and atmosphere can be compared with The promise, without all the crazy CGI. And again I can be totally wrong. The movie stars Donnie Yen, who also starred in the interesting Dragon Tiger Gate, and off course Hero.
Trailer

Red Cliff, is based on the battle of the same name in the Chinese literary Classic “Romance of the three kingdoms”. I have tried struggling me through the first volume of this saga, but it’s certainly is easier said than done. It is older than the bible, and includes so many names that it would be easier attending a reception packed with Spanish reporters, and memorizing theirs. Its by John Woo btw.

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, is also based on the book(s) above, but there should be plenty of materials in those bricks for several action packed movies. Starring Andy Lau, it can certainly not be all bad.
Trailer

I will also check out Ichi which is kind of a Zatoichi meets Azumi. It could be very interesting. Also a remake of Akira Kurosawas Hidden fortress will release this year. Oh my.