Hype me

Rating: 3/10 (2 February 2005)

If this is meant to pass for entertainment, the Chinese didn't know it. Zhang Yimou has seen the value in turning from relationship studies to action films, particularly in Ang Lee's case, but he has not succeeded here.
It has to be said, though, that Chris Doyle's cinematography is par excellence. He truly is a magnificent cinematographer, even taking into account the MOUNTAIN of grading done to the film.
But back to the story. It is obviously meant as some kind of homage to Rashomon, which is great for Sino-Japanese relations, but he really doesn't pull it off here. For one thing, Rashomon was not ponderous. In fact you could say Rashomon bolted quite nicely along. In comparison to this film...but that's not fair. This film is ponderous all on it's own. You would think by the comments of most critics that they saw a rollicking good Chinese action flick, and not a pretentious exercise of western-abating aesthetics. Even though the film is only 90 minutes long, it feels 45 minutes too long.
There are very many interesting stories in Chinese culture about Qin Shuang-ti, and this ain't one of them. Well maybe it is, I just think Yimou got it wrong this time, because I love his films, and I love Chinese action, but this feels like an unholy compromise.
Having said that, I look forward to House of Flying Daggers.