Blunt Daggers

It was such a disappointment, that latest Zhang Yimou's movie. Yes, it was all nice and pretty, nice colours, nice scenery, good action. But the story just fell apart halfway through the movie. Was it a love story? If it was, it was quite a sickening one. Was it a martial art showcase? If it was, it was very disatisfying. Was it a movie with some statement, political or otherwise? I failed to see any concrete exploration of any theme. Not a thing on the Tang Dynasty's downfall even though the movie was set close to its end.

So what's left? Well, you get to see Zhang Zi Yi's bare shoulders and the upper half of her chest at least 3 times. I think it was 4 times. One attempted rape by that Takeshi Kaneshiro character (she danced too, and boy she is flexible :P), one unfinished love scene with him again, another attempted rape by Andy Lau's character and a not so satisfying love scene with Takeshi (thanks to the censors :P). As you can see, there seems to be a strange focus on screwing Zhang Zi Yi. Was it Zhang Yimou's ultimate fantasy potrayed on screen for us to see? Well, he did 'discover' Zhang Zi Yi.

Seriously, I was disappointed.