I'm so bored with pretentious wire fights!!

Rating: 1/10 (23 March 2005)

Is it just me, or does any Asian based movie with some tedious wire work seem to be hailed as a masterpiece nowadays? Having been a huge fan of Asian martial arts since the early 80's I've been bored witless by the 'new mainstream' versions since the release of 'Crouching Tiger...' - which was hideous. Had that film not been directed by Ang Lee I doubt it would have received the reviews it did and that would have saved us from the martial arts mire we are in now. Now, with films such as these being so in-vogue (film students love them and enjoy using words like "juxtaposition" and "use of the frame" when talking about them)and the directors forgetting all about story and character and being obsessed with style I'm wondering how long they can keep churning out this tedious pap before people wise up? Before I get slated by film students let me say I did a three year degree in film so I know what I'm saying when I talk about you!! I was one of you!! 'Hero' is a perfect example of style over everything else. Slow, arty, very very boring. It all looks good but has no substance, no impact. But no one dare criticise it as it's art and they will accused of not understanding it or being unable to appreciate the directors vision.
Well, maybe I didn't. But what I did do was go and see 'Ong Bak' a few days later and that made me feel much better. It was a breath of fun, violent and impressive fresh air. Especially in these days of over the top, jumped up, beautiful to look at wire fighting ****.