NYFF Review: House of Flying Daggers

Director Zhang Yimou has certainly come a long way since his breakout film, 1987's Red Sorghum. Back then, he made small character-driven dramas that were also critical exposes of life in China. However, his films of late have ranged from lighthearted dramadies (Happy Times) to epic action films (Hero). His latest film, House of Flying Daggers, is a logical next step after Hero, though it's not nearly as grand in scope. Seemingly trying to recreate the formula that made Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon such a success, Zhang blends nifty action set pieces (lots of wire work and, yes, a fight scene in bamboo trees) with a tale of tragic romance.

Visually, the film is stunning, as is its lead actress Zhang Ziyi (along with the dashing Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro). Zhang films his actors mostly in close-up, and rightly so. Cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao is no Christopher Doyle, but his presentation of rural China (as well as the Ukraine) is extremely lush and colorful. The film relies a bit too much on CGI effects, but not to the point of distraction.

The plot, sort of an Infernal Affairs set in 859 A.D., is as simple as can be -- police officer Leo (Andy Lau) suspects that blind dancer Mei (Zhang Ziyi) is part of a revolutionary underground alliance known as The House of the Flying Daggers. He sends in his best officer, Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), as a mole to infiltrate the group. A handsome police officer heading off alone into the wilds of northern China with a beautiful, blind dancer/fighter -- suffice it to say it doesn't require much intelligence to figure out where this plot is going. In between the elaborate set pieces (including some impressive fight sequences) characters will fall in love, betray each other, and ultimately wind up in tragic circumstances.

Critics have accused Zhang Yimou of making action films with a Western audience in mind, and though this film appears to be guilty of that, it doesn't detract from the sheer pleasure of watching it. House of Flying Daggers isn't a great film, but it hardly matters -- though the plot might be predictable and the ending a tad too overdramatic, it's a highly enjoyable, entertaining, richly cinematic two hours. Bring popcorn.

Comments

[fortuitous faery]

i regret not being able to watch this while i was still in the philippines. it shows on oct. 13th there but i had to leave for the states on the 10th.....

[Jabba]

That fight in the bamboo-forest was one of the best bamboo-forest fight scenes I've ever seen. The end of the story is indeed a little bit too dramatic. But it's enjoyable to watch.

[paulo]

i like this movie grabe!

[Arnold]

It's one of the most enjoyable and contemplative films I've seen this year. Not Zhang Yimou's best work, but better than Hero imo.

[Ana]

I love this
movie!!!