Xiu chun dao II: xiu luo zhan chang

I was pulled into the story since the beginning sequence on the battle field. Interesting storyline with likeable characters and a few twists kept me into the movie. I really felt bad for Shen Lian, all that he endures. He's very righteous and a true Hero, it had a nice buildup as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie .

This second installment actually serves as a prequel to the first one. And unlike the previous series, this time there are lots of intrigues and twists here and there that make the viewers guess who is the real bad guy.

There are many one-on-one fights, battlefield battles and duels against troops will make wuxia fans cheer for joy throughout the movie. There are many swordman characters with their special weapons, which makes this movie different from the previous series.

Btw, don't miss the end credit scene at the end of the film. Although short, it is the link between the two film series.

Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield is a prequel of Brotherhood of Blades released three years earlier. However, you don't necessarily need to know the latter to understand the former. Some of the characters and the settings are alike but the story is a different one that even contradicts some elements shown in the first film.

Stylistically, we get a stylish wu xia movie with some conspiracy elements. The characters use arrows, daggers, swords and bare hands and feet to fight and most fight sequences look quite realistic. The opening sequence suffers from heavy CGI effects but the rest of the movie convinces with stunning landscapes and beautiful costumes. The locations are more diversified than in the first film. The conspiracy is similar to the first movie as Imperial Assassin Shen Lian gets caught in a conflict between a group of rebels supporting the emperor's younger brother and the emperor, his eunuch and government officials. Shen Lian tracks down some of the rebels before he decides to save a female painter he sympathizes with. From then on, he tries to cover his actions up and gets progressively involved with the group of rebels. However, he soon realizes that some of his colleagues are two-faced and that he can't trust anyone.

There are only a few minor reasons why I like this second film a little bit less than the first one. First of all, the exaggerated opening sequence doesn't start the movie on a positive note. Secondly, the side characters aren't as intriguing as in the first film. Thirdly, the movie's ending feels rushed and the scene after the credits is a waste of time.

However, if you like dynamic historical fiction cinema, Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield delivers the goods. It's stylish, filled with action, passion and tension and is entertaining from start to finish. Even though you don't need to be familiar with the first film to understand this prequel, I would recommend watching the former first because it's the better movie. If you like it, you can't go wrong with this one either.

The dramatic elements of this aren't anything to rave about but you'll want to watch it for the fight scenes. They weren't quite as good as the first movie but they still manage to hold their own. Not bad at all.

If anyone questions whether knighthood values could adhere in the Ming dynasty, let him check out this complex action film. A formidable hero with sword skills that allow him to survive battles against huge mobs somehow loves a delicate woman with artistic skills and has the courage to protect her, but she is at once a dubious love object -- treacherous, devious, and loving another, but finally capable of a measure of devotion. The two live in a world of rampant political corruption that would put the Borgias to shame as amateurs. A lot of time you watch the film wondering what is going on, who are the good guys, are there any good guys, how can one survive in this double dealing universe, and finally wondering whether the hero proves to be a true knight who will be rewarded for his bloody efforts and whether the heroine will escape despite death sentences against her. Well, the conclusion wrapped up in less than two minutes of screen time (it seems) resolves the questions. This movie explodes into action from time to time with somewhat unbelievable escapes amid many a hacked victim. Warning: It is bloody in parts, but mild compared to the films of Miike, for one, but not like the Zaotichi films in terms of bloodlessness. Did they really have that arrow weapon that is shown back then? Musket firing rifles, I can believe, swords, spears, and arrows inflict their damage, but it seems a terrible lack of training led to many deaths of the grunts and the failure of the bad guys to snuff the good guys which they would have in a realistic film. So much for suspension of disbelief. The film runs for two hours, and the actor who plays the lead is very capable and looks heroic enough to be a leading actor in other Asian action films featuring sword play. The heroine is lovely to look at with her incredible complexion, but she seems the epitome of "La Belle Dame Sans Merci." Worthwhile to watch.