Wu ji - Die Reiter der Winde

SPOILER: OK, I was excited about seeing this movie in the theater on the big screen. I couldn't understand why I movie I thought was interesting, entertaining and beautiful with great acting performances was only receiving mediocre reviews. Then, I saw the movie. They totally re-edited the movie from the version I have on DVD! There were parts that were cut out that were important to the storyline. Like the part where the goddess shows General Guangming the King being killed my the master of the master of the Crimson armor. It wasn't in there at all. So when Kunlun went to save the King it didn't make sense because it wasn't established that the King was even in danger. And we were supposed to have seen the King killed and known Kunlun was going to do it as part of the theme of destiny being impossible to change. The entire movie's overall plot was based on destiny and that whole scene was a major part of establishing Kunlun's destiny to be with Qingcheung and the General's destiny to lose the armor and his status. There were more edits and changes made also. All of them important to the storyline. It wasn't even the same movie anymore! I'm extremely angry with the Director Chen Kaige for doing this to his work (or allowing it to be done). The China Version on DVD is way better and I'm sticking to that. The only thing that save it for me was the acting performances. I recommend seeing More Nic Tse Movies like Jade Goddess of Mercy or Moving Targets or New Police Story with Jakie Chan. And Everyone should see Tae Guk Gi, One of the best war movie I think, it's starring Jang Dong-goon.

This film could have been very good if only they would have allocated that huge budget to better special effects. The other important thing that needed to be accomplished was to write a much better script.

There was some great visuals in this which hit the spot and were quite pleasing. Some of these scenes can be viewed in the film trailer.

I do not fault the actors for the shortcomings of this film, with the exception that they should have challenged the director more regarding some scenes and dialog which were absolutely stupid. Enough has been said by other reviewers concerning this.

I felt sorry for Cecilia Cheung in the fact that the director Chen Kaige seemed to try his best to make her look like a wax corpse, rather then a beautiful Princess.

This film had a lot of potential, but it got wasted. It is a shame. It is not the worst film in the world, it's just that it could have been really something special.

I challenge you to watch it and make your own conclusion. I am pretty confident you will agree with me after doing so.

I've seen the movie and I liked it very much, even more than "Hero" or "Crouching tiger, hidden dragon" (and they were excellent!). The movie is colorful, the actors are good, the plot is magical and captivating, lots of battle scenes and martial arts.

The one thing that you should keep in mind when you decide to go and watch it, however, is that there's one important difference between "Promise" and "Tiger/Dragon", for example. While the latter was mainly about the martial arts, magical swords and true warriors searching for their destiny and characters' relationship remained peacefully in the background, "the Promise", despite its many combat scenes and stuff like this, is a love story, a fairy tale. Which makes it sort of similar to the "House of flying daggers".

The flaws? Well, I suppose there're some, because nothing is perfect. But, personally, I didn't notice any.

It's a beautiful love story and it's worth watching. There's a right time for everything and there are not many bad movies....

Enjoy it!

When I was a kid, going to the movies gave me a rush like nothing else, but for the last few years my movie-going experience has been one disappointment after another. "The Promise" was a very rare exception.

I'm not saying this movie is for everybody. It's heavily stylized, and the mythical nature of the story requires a certain suspension of disbelief. BUT, if you crave stimulation for your eyes, your ears, and your imagination, this movie will deliver. The score is incredible, and every frame is stunning, visually. The story is a fairy tale. If you let yourself get lost in it, the experience will be magical. If you spend your time analyzing, breaking down the laws of physics, and worrying whether you're getting all the intended messages, you will most likely come away unsatisfied.

The 'promise' of 340 million yuan (Chinese dollar) turns out to be CGI, CGI, CGI. Kind of hard to believe that Kaige Chen would want to make a film like this. Many of Kaige Chen's former fans are probably appalled and disappointed. As for me, I bought the ticket for sheer entertainment, spectacles, and visual delight. Plus I like Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung (and they're finally married, hurray!). I know the plot is weak, but that's fine with me. Just maintain an open mind, and see how 340 million yuan was lavishly spent- the film certainly contains magnificent spectacles, and the costume and makeup are eerie but beautiful. The film is pure fantasy; don't let logic ruin your viewing experience. To appreciate this film, you can't take it too seriously. And don't compare it with previous works of Kaige Chen... just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.