Taking place in 9th Century China, the story revolves around a group of underground revolutionaries and the agents out to stop them from overthrowing an incompetent Emperor. Takeshi Kaneshiro (who I hadn’t seen in a film since the absolutely perfect Chungking Express by Wong Kar Wai) plays a government officer who goes undercover to win the trust of Mei (Zhang Ziyi), a blind courtesan (and martial artist, of course) with ties to the titular House of Flying Daggers, in the hopes that she’ll lead him to the groups mysterious leader. As they try to outrun the government forces at their back, Kaneshiro’s Jin falls for the deadly beauty putting him at odds with both sides, which results in a myriad of lavishly staged fight sequences. Every character has a second agenda, and ultimately each must decide whether their alligiances lie with their individual causes or their hearts.
Overall, it’s beginning to looks as if Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon didn’t set the epic romance/martial arts film bar high as much as he blew it out of the atmosphere, where no other filmmaker can manage to meet it. House of Flying Daggers gets closer to that standard than Zhang Yimou’s Hero, but until he remembers how he made all those incredible character-driven films of his early career, Zhang’s action films won’t be able to lift themselves beyond Hollywood-esque eye candy.
House of Flying Daggers
3 Stars
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I missed Zhang Yimou’s (Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Duo, The Story of Qui Ju, Shanghai Triad) newest film, House of Flying Daggers, in the theater, so I was looking forward to sitting down with our advance copy of the April 22nd DVD release.
Zhang’s earlier work was powerful stuff, and he was exceptional at slipping political and social commentary past the strict government censors. For almost 10 years, Zhang was an absolute powerhouse of China’s “Fifth Generation” filmakers. After a light road movie (The Road Home) and a so-so comedy (Happy Times), Zhang moved into epic action territory with 2002’s Hero, a star studded history lesson wrapped in a visually sumptuous (but ultimately unfulfilling) swords and romance film. Zhang’s exceptional eye for color and setting combined with gorgeous action sets wasn’t enough to fill out a film that was cold and dispassionate, despite the intricate and powerful relationships of it’s characters.
While the upcoming DVD release of 2004’s House of Flying Daggers shares Hero’s stunning color palette’s and sweeping cinematography, it also stumbles over the same pitfalls, unable to make it’s characters’ passions as vibrant and engaging as the scenery and costumes.
Taking place in 9th Century China, the story revolves around a group of underground revolutionaries and the agents out to stop them from overthrowing an incompetent Emperor. Takeshi Kaneshiro (who I hadn’t seen in a film since the absolutely perfect Chungking Express by Wong Kar Wai) plays a government officer who goes undercover to win the trust of Mei (Zhang Ziyi), a blind courtesan (and martial artist, of course) with ties to the titular House of Flying Daggers, in the hopes that she’ll lead him to the groups mysterious leader. As they try to outrun the government forces at their back, Kaneshiro’s Jin falls for the deadly beauty putting him at odds with both sides, which results in a myriad of lavishly staged fight sequences. Every character has a second agenda, and ultimately each must decide whether their alligiances lie with their individual causes or their hearts.
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| Hot Sword on Sword Action |
This is indeed a gorgeous film to look at, but I was struck by how Hollywood it felt. Sweeping camera work (Oscar nominated, no less), copious CGI, the inevitable multiple death-bed confessions, and reveals left me thinking that had you transposed the setting, this could have been a Tom Cruise vehicle. For characters in the throes of emotion strong enough to shatter their obligations, House of Flying daggers was noticably berift of any real passion. The fight sequences, while well staged, were too bogged down with needless slow-motion shots and an overemphasis on CGI. To be sure there are two stand-out moments: an early showcase of Zhang Ziyi’s skills in a circle of drums was acrobatic treat. And the final confrontation between to men fighting for Mei’s heart was intensely powerful and compelling. But that wasn’t enough to stifle my ‘Oh, come on!’ as each hidden agenda was revealed.
Though that does bring up something I noticed by the end of House of Flying Daggers. Between Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and House of Flying Daggers, I’ve come to one powerful realization: Zhang Ziyi is absolute poison. Drop dead gorgeous, lithe and acrobatic, yes. But you get emotionally involved with one of her characters and you might as well stab that dagger straight into your own heart. She’s trouble I tell ya.
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| Okay, so she’s worth the trouble |
As a DVD release, House of Flying Daggers has two “Making Of” featurettes, commentary by Ziyi and Yimou (Which felt somewhat perfunctory, though entertaining), storyboard comparisons, the Kathleen Battle version of the film’s love theme, photo galleries, and my favorite, the costuming sketches. That’s right, I said it. I liked the costumes. They were just gorgeous to look at it. Elegant, cool, and exotic as hell. So there. Nyah-nyah. For a single disc, this DVD has a decent collection of special features which should allow viewers to get their fill of this sumptious eye-candy. As for the look and sound of the DVD, I was very happy with the Dolby Digital mix, which was put to excellent use in a couple of scenes. Clear speech and effects, with music never overpowering the actors , it was easy for my poor battered rock ears to distinguish the sounds. The picture was crystal clear on my television, and the colors were super crisp. My only real complaint would be the sub-par box art, for which Hollywood’s air-brush interns finally got a chance to go hog wild. Here’s a hint, guys: Zhang Ziyi does NOT need your help looking good. Dress her in burlap and polyester and she’d still be knock-out. Her skin is already flawless, so keep your airbrushing to yourselves next time.
Overall, it’s beginning to looks as if Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon didn’t set the epic romance/martial arts film bar high as much as he blew it out of the atmosphere, where no other filmmaker can manage to meet it. House of Flying Daggers gets closer to that standard than Zhang Yimou’s Hero, but until he remembers how he made all those incredible character-driven films of his early career, Zhang’s action films won’t be able to lift themselves beyond Hollywood-esque eye candy.