House of Flying Daggers (2004)

US Release Date: 3rd December 2004
Details: 119 mins, Action/Foreign
Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro
Directed by: Zhang Yimou

Set in the year is 859 AD, as China's once flourishing Tang Dynasty is in decline, unrest is raging throughout the land. The corrupt government is locked in battle with rebel armies that are forming in protest. The largest, and most prestigious of these rebel groups is the House of Flying Daggers, which is growing ever more powerful under a mysterious new leader. Two local captains, Leo and Jin are ordered to capture the new leader and the two hatch an elaborate plan. Captain Jin will pretend to be a lone warrior called Wind and rescue the beautiful, blind revolutionary Mei from prison, earning her trust and escorting her to the secret headquarters of the House of Flying Daggers. The plan works, but to their surprise, Jin and Mei fall deeply in love on their long journey to the House. Danger lurks in the forest surrounding them, and the wind is still, as if sensing the tension in the air. What lies ahead for Jin and Mei, these star-crossed lovers? If this is true love, then why are there plots in their heads, and secrets in their hearts?

Official Website: http://www.sonyclassics.com/houseofflyingdaggers/trailer-open.html

I personally find that it was shot very beautifully with a high balance in the aesthetic martial art moves and colours of the scenes and costumes. That's what director Zhang Yimou is best at. Not forgetting the scenes shot at far distance and the fast scenes accommodated with the background music that compliment so nicely. Well done!

However, I find the storyline not as good and the tempo at certain parts of the movie too slow. If not, this is quite a well shot movie. One last thing regrettable was the passing of Anita Mui, making it a loss of an actress in this movie and maybe due to this, certain parts of the script had to be rewritten.

Rating: 3.5/5