Anybody seen "Curse of the Golden Flower"?

[saint.panda]

Hero was pretty good (pretty pictures, interesting concept, and great fighting), House of Flying Daggers was lame, but this one is just utterly terrible. How it manages to get good to decent reviews from respected newspapers eludes me.

There were some good moments, for example the twist towards the end, when more people joined the fight rather unexpectedly.

If you've seen it, what do you think?

 

[TheMarchingMule]

It's all about the sex scenes.

 

[jjcha]

Yeah, I thought it was pretty overdone and didn't compel me at all... I mean I don't regret going - there were a lot of interesting visual elements, but I don't think I'd really be that keen on seeing it again. At most points, I just didn't care about any of the characters or the plot.

Best,

-Jason

 

[Superpredator]

I find Zhang Yimou kind of dull. He seems to choose large, colorful scenes where many people fight incoherently over the more intimate one-on-one that actually translates into the visually appealing.

I actually didn't mind Curse for its story at all, and the historical sets were stunning, but every time his movies deteriorate into those big money shot scenes I get kind of bored. Like, okay, a bunch of people just stepped on some chrysanthemums in concert. Am I supposed to be awed by the artistry? It just seems kind of clunky to me. Give me Crouching Tiger or Iron Monkey over his work any day.

Oh, I did like the scene where the Emperor's physician and his wife escape from their compound. It was pretty vibrant.

 

[FalconP]

Zhang's art direction is extremely cliched -- all gaudy, primary colors. It might serve him well when he struggled to fame some 20 years ago -- who as a director doesn't want to have a recognisable style? -- but today this looks unbearably vulgar. The vibrantly pink "peach" bosoms of Gong Li and co. have been a laughing stock in Hong Kong, and I can't help but imagine such anachronistic costume is designed to bring in what the Brits call "the dirty-mac brigade".

The story is enjoyable as the film goes, but nothing stays in your mind. There is no character to root for: every one is plotting against each other, except perhaps for Jay Chou's character who's only interested in flaunting his good looks and wire-enhanced athleticism. This film can be fine entertainment, as long as you see it with the mind-set for Spiderman 3.

 

[vagarach]

I enjoyed it a whole lot, especially the flight from those assassins. I was however, watching it after a week-and-a-half of constant 12+ hour days of going to classes and then hitting the computer lab and working on a simulation project, so at that point I think anything would have entertained.

He (Yimou) loves working with colours and giving visual cues, and I think his movies are worth watching just for the imagery. I think for final judgement, I will have to watch it on a large display of some kind, I dunno if a dvd screener on my 17" monitor gave a true representation of the movie.

edit: I must say though, the final fight of House of Flying Daggers in the snow was just *awesome*, and Hero is a classic film, at least for me.

 

[F1GTR]

I really enjoyed it in the theater, although I'm not sure it would have the same impact on the tube. There were some well done fight scenes, the compound specifically that was mentioned, however I was expecting far more action. This film was definitely more about the story.

On the other hand, Yun-Fat Chow was pretty amazing. Not since Gene Hackman's performance in "Unforgiven", have I despised a character so much on film. The cinematography was good and the colors were vibrant. I'd give it like a 2.75/4.

 

[YamiTenshi]

I've been disappointed in almost every wuxia film that has come out since Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. There's just too much attention paid to visuals, special effects and big name actors. It seems like the only goal of the Chinese film industry down is to impress Hollywood so they can win an Oscar.

Chow Yun-Fat was good, but this is far from his best role. He just doesn't get enough scene time to develop his character. Gong-Li is the same. She still looks gorgeous after all these years and is both intense and subtle. Both of them are fine actors, that don't get enough time to really build up their characters.

As for Jay Chou... this is the worse (and weirdest) casting choice I've ever seen. I mean seriously! Why?! Of all the royal family he played the only sympathetic character; he actually has some good intentions. But we just don't know anything about him. Why was he gone for 3(?) years at the beginning of the movie? How's his relationship with the rest of the family? How did the relationships change after his long absence? Readapting to royal life? Does he actually want to be king? I really thought the second prince was supposed to be the main character, but Jay Chou just couldn't carry the role so it was diluted so that no one really stood out at the end.

The movie actually had a fine story, I love plots that take place inside the Forbidden City (yes, I know the movie is historically inaccurate because the Forbidden City wasn't built at that time), princes trying to overthrow kings, queens slowly being poisoned, princes killing princes, kings killing princes... it's all great family drama. But I just didn't find anyone in this movie to care for.

Good things about the movie... well I loved the assassins. The final battle (or slaughter) inside the palace was nice. Even the theme song (sang by Jay Chou) was good. And... I think that's it.

If you guys want to see a good Zhang Zimou movie, watch "To Live." It stars Gong Li and Ge You. The movie is about a family growing up between ~1930 and ~1970 in China. There's no great special effects of bouncing breasts but it has a great storyline and characters that you'll cry for.

 

[AudioNoob]

well they are not exatly the same genres, both the curse and the house of the flying daggers are more costume operas where you enjoy the visuals and some minor details rather than the depth of the plot. I didnt watch the latter yet but I remember liking the house of the flying daggers but I would agree that they arent exactly breakthroughs or the best films ever. That said, asian film artists still produce lots of great films, the latest one I saw and loved was the korean (not sure about the translation) SAI BO GU JI MAN GWEN CHAN (I am an android but it doesn't matter) ok. found out the official trans was I am a cyborg but that's o.k. by park chan wook