The Warlords

Last night I had the opportunity to view one of the best films i've seen in a very long time. One that stays with you far after the closing credits. One that requires time after viewing to untie all the knots in your stomach.

Peter Chan's "The Warlords" is a period epic in every sense of the word. Chan covers a lot of ground here depicting war and the consequences thereof consisting of his anti-war sentiments. It tells the story of three "brothers" played brilliantly by Jet Li (Fearless), Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs) and Takeshi Kaneshiro (House Of Flying Daggers) who make a pact of brotherhood to one another that consists of killing anyone who harms one of the brothers and killing any brother who harms another brother as they lead an army through war after war taking over city after city.

It's incredible to watch the thought process of making vital decisions during a battle or within their own army to defy humanity for the "greater good". It shows the internal and external struggle of these decisions by opposing points of view. The emotions felt by these men translate in any language and leave you emotionally drained after watching the film through to its tragic end.

The cinematography is outstanding, the budget is huge, the directing brilliant and the war scenes brutal as can be. We're talking decapitations, gushing blood, limbs sliced off and a man being blown up by a cannonball. Chan is delivering a truth in the brutality of war rather than dressing it up to keep (most of it) realistic.

War is hell.... and this film will take you there and back. Highest recommendation.

First of all, I think it's the first movie I've enjoyed in about half a year, so decided to comment. I read the good reviews on this one, and agree with most of them. Everything in this movie is superbly done.

There's little story in this movie and it's more of a background for the characters' portrayal and the battles, both of which amazingly done. The characters' portrayal is very successful due to the great acting. The battles and the fight choreography deserves a solid 9. Both artistic, like the martial arts beauty, and brutal, like real war is.

This movie doesn't have unnecessary emotion, or unnecessary gestures from main characters. That's where this movie succeeds. That's where 'Azumi' or 'Braveheart' succeeded. And that's where 'Troy' and 'Gladiator' failed to deliver. They all have great cinematography, brilliant fight choreography and superb acting staff - but that's only the technical side. 'Warlords' succeeded to deliver in all the aspects. Simple and little story with no over-dramatizing and no inconsistencies.

If one's wondering why I gave only 7, it's because, beside of Er-hu, I didn't find one likable character.

Warlords is a tragedy that left me with a heavy heart. The movie is excellent, but it is filled with a lot of suffering. By the time you realize that, the movie has you already pulled in and you're stuck there, watching the flames engulf everything.

The setting for the film is the Taiping Rebellion, but really the film is not about the war. Instead, it's about survival, fear, betrayal, disillusionment, corruption, death and sacrifice. If you're thinking, "Lighten up a bit," that's what I thought too. While there are moments of triumph and prevailing loyalty, those moments are fleeting.

The quality of this film becomes most apparent when compared to other Chinese productions of similar genre. My memory of watching another historical war movie called Three Kingdoms has become a fading memory on a dusty shelf after I watched Warlords. It's the kind of movie that makes you want to tell others about it.

An excellent cast led by Jet Li makes sure that everything else in the movie is just frosting around the cake of well-developed characters. That's not to say that the frosting is inferior. This movie has everything going for it: choreography, special effects, sound and story. It has a something for everyone, although Warlords is definitely a boys' movie, full of politics, brotherhood and carnage. Actually, for a movie with so many serious themes, the action has over-the-top silly violence, but in any case, it's a sight to behold because of how well it's put together. The story is raw and keeps the mind occupied with some of its steeper turns.

The cinematography is grim, just like the ret of the film. Never before have I felt as cold and as dry while watching a movie. Playing with colour, the artists create a gloomy picture of the situation the poor soldiers find themselves in, as they are stuck in the trenches. Grit and dirt fly off the screen during battles.

If you liked movies like Troy, chances are you'll enjoy this much darker Eastern family member, possibly one of the best movies ever created, but heed this warning: it was so heavy that I don't ever want to see it again.

..for a movie that's a bit difficult for Western audiences to enjoy. I mean, let's face it, we're not exactly suckers for blood oaths as the main plot device, which is the case here, and the story may feel hard to follow at times.

Two things made be enjoy this one. For one thing, the Chinese did a pretty good job as far as giving the movie the proper epic side it needed. There's only a fine line between epic cinematography and drollery and these guys managed not to cross it, unlike, say, Gladiator or '300'.

Then, there's the acting. Having only seen Jet Li in Hollywood movies before I thought he was something of a Jackie Chan without the funny face. I stand corrected, he gives a great performance in Tau Ming Chong, he is truly believable as his character, general Pang, gradually turns into a ruthless backstabbing freak for power. Finally, kudos to the actor playing Er Hu, Andy Lau. I hope I'll get to see more of him.

Having seen the abominable blockbuster that 'The Last Samurai' really is the other night, it definitely enhanced my appreciation for this title.

This is not Crouching Tiger. It's as good as Hero,House of Flying daggers. You wont be amazed by the CGI special effects. You will be stunned by the intense constant evolution of the story line and relationships between 3 men who have much to learn from each other.

I don't wanna spoil further. I want to say that i am really disappointed in the west for turning a blind eye to eastern movies in general. This movie is an epic. It deserves 20 000 votes. I cannot believe some of the movies that reach Nr 1 at the Box Office when only a relative few informed bothering with movies like this.

This is some timeless movie making.