AP Review: John Woo restores credibility to Chinese epics with ‘Red Cliff‘ (The Associated Press : July 8, 2008 )


HONG KONG: A true epic needs more than the grandeur of its landscapes, the lavishness of its sets and the sheer manpower of its battle scenes: It needs a truly epic story.

John Woo displays the crucial distinction in the magnificently told "Red Cliff," the Hong Kong director‘s triumphant return to Chinese film after 16 years in Hollywood.

Using old-fashioned good storytelling, "Red Cliff" restores credibility to the genre of Chinese historical epics that have often been tainted by pointlessly large-scaled and action-packed productions.

Woo is helped by a wealth of source material. "Red Cliff" is based on a storied historical period that has inspired video games and comic books — third-century prime minister Cao Cao‘s quest to unite a divided China.

But the director breathes new life into Cao and the colorful cast of characters that oppose him.

There‘s the ruthless and arrogant Cao, who dishes out beheading orders casually and lusts after the wife of one of the resistance fighters; his main rival, the avuncular Liu Bei, who despite Cao‘s invasion still finds time to weave grass shoes; Liu‘s pudgy and hotheaded lieutenant Zhang Fei, who never hesitates to speak his mind.

Liu‘s ally, Sun Quan, is a young ruler who struggles to find his confidence living under the shadow of his accomplished late brother and father.

Woo takes the time to introduce anecdotes that define each character. The epic battle scenes involving scores of extras and enhanced by special effects are still there — including a complex fight centered on a maze-like military formation — but most of "Red Cliff" is spent filling out the rich cast of characters.

The director is so keen on building an epic story that he even leaves the final showdown between the two sides to a second installment. "Red Cliff," which will be released in Asia this month, is the first part. The sequel will be released in December.

Woo‘s grand narrative justifies the two-parter. In "Red Cliff," he paints such a delightful ensemble of characters and sets up such a sharp contrast between the two opposing sides, bracing the audience for a titanic battle between Good and Evil in the sequel.

The outstanding storytelling and character building is reminiscent of "Star Wars." The story feels similarly epic; the characters similarly funky. Interestingly, the English subtitles cast Liu‘s side as the "rebels" and their opponents as the "empire" — the same terminology used in George Lucas‘ legendary sci-fi series.

And Woo injects humor and a modern sensibility into his characters, removing any feeling that these are outdated personalities hundreds of years old.

Japanese-Taiwanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro brings youthful playfulness and sarcasm to the role of Liu‘s famed military strategist, Zhuge Liang. At first glance, Kaneshiro lacks the gravitas to carry such an esteemed character in Chinese history, but he gives the character a unique, refreshing interpretation.

But the biggest surprise in the cast is Chinese actress Zhao Wei, who steals the show with her portrayal of Sun‘s spunky tomboy sister Sun Shangxiang, frustrated that her military ambitions are dismissed by the men around her.

With "Red Cliff," Woo shows he‘s still a masterful director to be reckoned with.

It‘s a feat made all the more outstanding by the difficulties he faced in the production. Two major stars — Chow Yun-fat and Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai — dropped out at the last minute, although Leung later rejoined the cast. A stuntman died in an accident and torrential rains washed away part of an outdoor set in northern China.

It‘s unclear, however, if Woo‘s story can win over non-Asian audiences who are less familiar with the Chinese history. He is releasing a condensed, one-installment version in international markets. It remains to be seen if the abbreviated story will lose the character development and nuances that enabled "Red Cliff" to shine.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/08/arts/AS-MOV-Film-Review-Red-Cliff.php

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美国彭博通讯社影评：赵薇是精灵，中国大陆演员展光芒——吴宇森《赤壁》有血有战有明星（彭博新闻，2008年7月18日）——John Woo‘s `Red Cliff‘ Has Blood, Battles, Stars, Little Else (Bloomberg News)


7月18日（彭博通讯社）——猛禽嘶叫，熊火咆哮，当一骑身披盔甲背负啼哭婴儿的骑士划开人墙的时候，众人都卷缩起身体。

大将赵云正奋战救回仁慈君主刘备的儿子，其军队已被入侵的恶势力曹操军团击溃。这是耗资8000万美元堪称亚洲最昂贵电影的吴宇森史诗片《赤壁》中数个战争场面之第一场。该片讲述的是中国公元208年诸侯战乱。

该电影以长江岸边水军最后决战的地方来命名，带着所有吴氏制作的明显标记。芭蕾舞般的战争场面，身负使命的简明英雄，衣袍带血的明眸女子，加上电脑特效模拟的集结军队和有2000艘船的舰队，你看到的是巨额预算好莱坞制作的激烈动作片。

《赤壁》显示出吴力求回到在远赴浮华都市前让他成名的那种电影类型——男人间牺牲和背叛的故事，就像周润发主演的“英雄本色”，英雄流血不流泪。

《赤壁》中，梁朝伟饰演的东吴都督周瑜沉重而忠诚，和金城武饰演的聪敏的刘备军师诸葛亮有着男性间的情谊。他们结成一种不太稳定的伙伴关系去抵抗比他们强大很多的由曹操领导的汉皇朝军队。

坚硬的头盔

台湾出生的金城武有着瘦长漂亮的外型和年轻的步态，如果不开口说话，他饰演的诸葛亮会显得完美。他的声音经过密封效果的录音棚配音录制后有种涣散，破坏了他的表演。香港大牌演员梁梳着用了过量发胶的高发髻和顶结，顶着坚硬的头盔，看来很不舒服。他每个动作都中规中矩，好像在努力回忆自己的台词。化学作用为零。

女性在吴的电影里一般被边缘化，就是个会说话的道具。《赤壁》也没有例外。台湾模特林志玲首次登上大银幕饰演周瑜的妻子，传奇美人小乔，美德楷模，也是曹操追逐的战利品。林努力让自己的角色没那么矫挠造作，但台词毫无感觉不对味儿。

经过声音训练，林或许能获得些演出机会。梁和林之间没什么火花，不像日久相处的夫妻，更像战战兢兢的少年人。

中国明星展光芒

中国大陆演员承载了该电影，在表演上压倒了香港和台湾演员，证明他们处于世界最优秀的演员中。

张丰毅（《霸王别姬》）饰演的曹操在人性和邪恶之间那种微妙转换非常流畅，让人对这个中国历史上的大恶人激发出同情。胡军演出了忠贞的赵云大将的气魄。赵薇饰演的东吴公主孙尚香，是有勇气有胆色的精灵，也是崭露头角的战士，为电影里战争场景之间带来必不可少的轻喜气氛。
电影真正的明星是吴，他的战争场面像极芭蕾舞，战马倒下的特写镜头，残酷的刀剑拼杀和复杂的兵阵。这是不朽的战争而吴把它传递出来了。

不过，2个半小时的片长确实考验观众的耐性——有关历史文化的戏要考验到历史迷的耐心。《赤壁》仍然是部会引起争议的非常中国化的电影。

现在亚洲正在上映的版本是将近5小时电影的第一部分，第二部分将于1月上映。制作人会把电影剪辑为2.5小时的版本在欧美上映。

Review by Le-Min Lim
More Photos/Details
July 18 (Bloomberg) -- Raptors shriek, fires roar, bodies arc into the air as an armored horseman slices through a wall of men, a wailing baby strapped to his back.
General Zhao Yun is fighting to save the son of benevolent leader Liu Bei, whose forces were crushed by the invading troops of villainous Cao Cao. The battle scene is the first of several in Asia‘s most expensive film, John Woo‘s $80 million epic ``Red Cliff,‘‘ about warring states in China in 208.
The movie, named after a bank on the Yangtze River where the final naval showdown takes place, bears all the traits of a Woo production. There are ballet-like fight scenes, laconic heroes on a mission, limpid-eyed damsels in distress and gobs of blood. Add computer-generated effects to simulate thronging troops and a 2,000-ship fleet and you have the manic action of a big-budget Hollywood production.

``Red Cliff‘‘ shows Woo‘s bid to return to the type of film that made him famous in Asia before he left for Tinseltown -- male-bonding tales of sacrifice and betrayal like ``A Better Tomorrow‘‘ starring Chow Yun-fat, whose heroes would sooner bleed than cry.
In ``Red Cliff,‘‘ that masculine friendship is between Tony Leung‘s Zhou Yu, the ponderous but loyal viceroy of the East Wu Kingdom, and Takeshi Kaneshiro‘s Zhuge Liang, Liu‘s brilliant strategist. They forge an uneasy partnership to resist the much- larger Han Empire forces led by Cao.
Stiff Headpiece
With his lanky good looks and youthful gait, Taiwan-born Kaneshiro looks perfect to play Zhuge -- until he speaks. His voice is dubbed with the air-tight quality of studio recording, a distraction that damages his performance. Hong Kong actor Leung, usually ace, looks uncomfortable at best, not helped by a stiff headpiece with twin poufs and a top-knot that looked overworked with Brylcreem. Each acts in his own ambit, with the look of one struggling to recall his line. Chemistry is nil.
Women are usually marginal in Woo‘s films, little more than talking props. ``Red Cliff‘‘ is no exception. Taiwanese model Chiling Lin makes her big-screen debut playing Zhou‘s wife and legendary beauty Xiao Qiao, a paragon of virtue and a trophy Cao seeks. Lin makes a valiant effort at making her role less twee, though fails to overcome her cliched lines on peace and Camelot ideals.
With some voice training, Lin might gain more screen presence. There‘s little spark between Leung and Lin either. They look more like overawed teenagers on a first date than a seasoned couple.
Chinese Stars Shine
Mainland Chinese actors carry the movie, overwhelming their Hong Kong and Taiwanese counterparts in presence, and proving they are among the best in the world.
Zhang Fengyi (``Farewell My Concubine‘‘) plays Cao with nuance, alternating so smoothly between human and vile traits that he stirs sympathy for one of the biggest villains in Chinese history. Hu Jun plays the wearied but unswerving General Zhao with verve. Zhao Wei plays East Wu princess Sun Shangxiang, a plucky sprite and budding warrior, adding much-needed comic relief to a film that gets boggy between fight scenes.The star of the movie is really Woo. His battle scenes are formidably choreographed, featuring keeling horses, brutal swordfights and complex troop configurations. It‘s a monumental undertaking and Woo delivers.
Still, a 2 1/2-hour film is a challenge to sit through -- and one steeped in history and cultural cues would test the patience of even the most ardent history buff. ``Red Cliff‘‘ remains a very Chinese movie that probably won‘t travel well.
The version playing now in Asian cinemas is the first half of an almost 5-hour movie, the second part of which will be shown in January. The producers will edit the film down to a 2 1/2-hour edition for release in Europe and the U.S.
``Red Cliff,‘‘ from Lion Rock Entertainment and other producers, is in theaters throughout Asia. Rating: **.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=axVVFP8CkAf4&refer=muse


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美国《综艺》赤壁影评，称赵薇为活泼的中国宝贝 （Red Cliff Review by Variety‘s Derek Elley (Posted: Sun., Jul. 20, 2008, 2:44pm PT) ） (一般 General)


As Liu & Co. lick their wounds after their retreat, Liu‘s canny strategist, Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) proposes an alliance between him and Sun Quan vs. Cao Cao‘s seemingly unstoppable forces. Pic‘s second act broadens here, establishing the nervous, indecisive character of Sun Quan, his tomboyish sister, Sun Shangxiang (lively Mainland babe Vicki Zhao) -- and last but not least, Sun Quan‘s commander, Zhou Yu (H.K. heartthrob Tony Leung Chiu-wai).

刘备一方在失败中恢复过来，刘精明谨慎的军师诸葛亮（金城武）建议与孙权方面结成联盟对抗看起来无法阻止的曹操势力。电影的第二幕在这里扩大开来，带出了优柔寡断的孙权，和他顽皮的妹妹孙尚香（活泼的中国宝贝赵薇）——最后是孙权的指挥官周瑜（香港的大众情人梁朝伟）。

Main cast has few weak links and traverses all shades of character. Zhang and Leung dominate the movie, while Kaneshiro is fine as wily strategist Zhuge and Zhao adds welcome humor as the feisty princess. Chang is a tad lightweight in such company as the wimpish Sun, and Taiwanese super-model Lin Chi-ling mostly decorative as Zhou‘s wife. Multitude of colorful supports is led by Mongolian actor Basenzabu as a warrior who‘s a one-man moving mountain.

主要演员包括形形色色的性格并且很少有薄弱的环节。张（丰毅）和梁在电影中占主导地位，而金城武的老谋深算的军师诸葛亮也演得不错，赵薇为其扮演的有胆色有勇气的公主加入了颇受欢迎的幽默。张（震）饰演懦弱的孙权有点不够胜任，而林志玲基本上是作为周瑜妻子的装饰点缀。蒙古演员巴森扎布饰演一夫当关的战士，以其为首的大量各式各样的演员也一同撑起了电影。

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937769.html?categoryid=1263&cs=1

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937769.html?categoryid=1263&cs=1

Chi bi (China-Japan-Taiwan-South Korea-U.S.)
By DEREK ELLEY
A China Film Group Corp. (in China)/Avex Entertainment (in Japan)/CMC Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox (in Taiwan)/Showbox (in S. Korea) release of a China Film Group, Chengtian Entertainment (China)/Avex Entertainment (Japan)/CMC Entertainment (Taiwan)/Showbox, Taewon Entertainment (S. Korea)/John Woo presentation of a Lion Rock Prods. production. (International sales: Summit Entertainment, L.A.) Produced by Terence Chang, Woo. Executive producers, Han Sanping, Wu Kebo, Masato Matsuura, Ryuhei Chiba, Huang Chin-wen, Kim Woo-taek, Ryu Jeong-chun. Co-producers, Anne Woo, Zhang Daxing, Yeh Ju-feng, David Tang, Wang Wei, Cheri Yeung. Directed by John Woo. Screenplay, Woo, Khan Chan, Kuo Cheng, Sheng Heyu.

Zhou Yu - Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Zhuge Liang - Takeshi Kaneshiro
Cao Cao - Zhang Fengyi
Sun Quan - Chang Chen
Sun Shangxiang - Vicki Zhao
Zhao Yun - Hu Jun
Gan Xing - Shido Nakamura
Xiao Qiao - Lin Chi-ling
Liu Bei - You Yong
Lu Su - Hou Yong
Sun Shucai - Tong Dawei
Li Ji - Song Jia
Guan Yu - Basenzabu
Zhang Fei - Zang Jinsheng
Huang Gai - Zhang Shan
Cao Hong - Wang Hui
Jiang Gan - Shi Xiaohong
Kong Rong - Wang Qingxiang
Emperor Xian - Wang Ning
Lady Mi - He Yin

One of the most ballyhooed Asian productions in recent history, and the most expensive Chinese-lingo picture ever, John Woo‘s costume actioner "Red Cliff" scales the heights. First seg of the two-part, $80 million historical epic -- with "The Battle of Red Cliff" to follow in late January -- balances character, grit, spectacle and visceral action in a meaty, dramatically satisfying pie that delivers on the hype and will surprise many who felt the Hong Kong helmer progressively lost his mojo during his long years stateside. Pic may, however, disappoint those looking for simply a costume retread of his kinetic, ‘80s H.K. classics.

Film is pitched more at an older demographic than traditional Asian youth auds, and the July 10 release (in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea) faces heavy competition from other summer titles after its first frame. But robust initial returns point to the two-parter putting black ink on most investors‘ ledgers - apart, maybe, from Japanese investor Avex, who bankrolled more than half the budget. Non-Asian returns look to be much smaller, especially as in the West the whole 4 1/2-hour movie will be available only in a single, 2 1/2-hour version that could end up losing much of the character detail that motors the production.

Detailing an incident familiar to auds throughout Asia, script by Woo and three other writers mixes elements from history (as recorded in a third century chronicle by Chen Shou), the freely fictionalized classic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by 14th-century scribe Luo Guanzhong and their own filmic imagination into a dramatic stew that has engendered beaucoup debate among Asian specialists and auds who already have their own ideas on the characters from multiple comicbook treatments, TV drama series and school textbooks. However, given that these often contradict each other - even down to details of who were the good and bad guys -- pic always faced an uphill battle pleasing everyone.

But the picture indisputably works on its own terms. Though this first part is a long warm-up to the part two naval battle on the Yangtze River that saw the forces of the North rebuffed by those of the South, it contains more than enough action and drama to justify its length, as well as a cliff-hanger ending that leaves auds hungry for more.

Yarn opens in summer AD 208, with prime minister-cum-general Cao Cao (powerful Mainland vet Zhang Fengyi) asking permission from Han dynasty Emperor Xian (Wang Ning) to lead an expedition south to take on "rebellious" warlords Liu Bei (You Yong) and Sun Quan (Taiwan thesp Chang Chen). Jittery mood in the imperial court sets the stage for the political machinations that marble the whole movie -- and forecasts the period of turmoil, known as the Three Kingdoms, that followed the imminent collapse of the 400-year-old Han dynasty.

Socko, 20-minute action sequence, as Cao Cao‘s massive army sweeps south and meets Liu‘s forces in the battle of Changban, establishes the gritty, chaotic tone of the movie‘s land warfare. Cool, almost grungy color processing, and action that‘s exaggerated but not manga-like, is underpinned by realistic costumes and design by ace art director Tim Yip. There‘s no clear sense of geography in the skirmishes, but maybe that‘s the point.

As Liu & Co. lick their wounds after their retreat, Liu‘s canny strategist, Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) proposes an alliance between him and Sun Quan vs. Cao Cao‘s seemingly unstoppable forces. Pic‘s second act broadens here, establishing the nervous, indecisive character of Sun Quan, his tomboyish sister, Sun Shangxiang (lively Mainland babe Vicki Zhao) -- and last but not least, Sun Quan‘s commander, Zhou Yu (H.K. heartthrob Tony Leung Chiu-wai).

Appearance 40 minutes in of toplined Leung (a last-minute replacement for Chow Yun-fat) adds some real emotional heft to the drama. Though not the most physically imposing thesp in the cast, Leung is easily the subtlest, and character‘s musical interests add extra layers to what, until then, has been simply a sturdy historical actioner.

Main cast has few weak links and traverses all shades of character. Zhang and Leung dominate the movie, while Kaneshiro is fine as wily strategist Zhuge and Zhao adds welcome humor as the feisty princess. Chang is a tad lightweight in such company as the wimpish Sun, and Taiwanese super-model Lin Chi-ling mostly decorative as Zhou‘s wife. Multitude of colorful supports is led by Mongolian actor Basenzabu as a warrior who‘s a one-man moving mountain.

Dark-toned color processing doesn‘t glamorize the period and adds gravitas to many of the youthful actors. Japanese composer Taro Iwashiro‘s multi-faceted score -- brazzy, playful, lyrical by turns -- adds real dramatic clout throughout. Visual effects are just OK.

Version caught in South Korea (cut by local distrib-investor Showbox) was nine minutes shorter than that shown in Chinese-speaking territories, with a couple of scenes shortened, including a calligraphy sequence prior to Zhou making love to his wife. Japanese version, to be released later this year, will also be shorter than Woo‘s 140-minute cut.

Camera (CineLabs Beijing color, widescreen), Lu Yue, Zhang Li; editors, Angie Lam, Yang Hongyu, Robert A. Ferretti; music, Taro Iwashiro; production-costume designer, Tim Yip; sound (Dolby Digital), Roger Savage; sound designer, Steve Burgess; visual effects supervisors, Craig Hayes, Kevin Rafferty; visual effects, The Orphanage, CafeFX, Hatch Prod.; stunt supervisor, Dion Lam; stunt co-ordinator, Guo Jianyong; assistant directors, Albert Cho, Richard L. Fox, Thomas Chow; secnd unit directors, Zhang Jinzhan (army battles), Patrick Leung (naval battle); action director, Corey Yuen; casting, Cheng Jie. Reviewed at CGV Bucheon 3, South Korea, July 19, 2008. Running time: 131 MIN.

With: Sun Chun, Jiang Tong, Kou Shixun, Koyuki, Li Hong, Menghe Wuliji, Wang Yuzhang, Zhang Yi, Wu Qi, Chen Changhai, Zhao Chengshun, Wang Zaolai, Xie Gang, Yi Zhen, Jia Hongwei, Guo Chao, Cui Yugui, Xu Fengnian, Ma Jing, Hu Xiaoguang, Ye Hua.
(Mandarin dialogue)


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