Jin Yi Wei (2010)

A decent martial arts film starring Donnie Yen. I don't know many wuxia films, and until now Jet Li had particularly caught my eye, but after having seen Yen in the Ip Man films before, it turns out here too that he is very capable. Perhaps I should also watch Once Upon a Time in China II, in which both gentlemen star.

I had added this film to my watchlist a long time ago, but was held back a bit by reports about monochromatic colors. Now that actually bothers me a little less; there were also many more color scenes than expected based on the reports above, and the monochromatic scenes looked very beautiful as well (which was also evident from the reports, which only further emphasizes that it was somewhat ridiculous that I let myself be held back on that basis).

The story isn't really the most important thing, and I'll probably have forgotten it by tomorrow, but the action was spectacular. Relatively little is cut, so there's a lot of attention paid to the choreography. What is a shame, though, is the music. It was sometimes a bit too epic or too dramatic. I don't really appreciate the Arabic-style singing either. There is definitely a leaning towards melodrama, as evidenced by the flashbacks at the end. A pity; I'm guessing things like this cost it half a star.

Not on the level of Hero, let alone The Grandmaster, but good entertainment nonetheless. Wuxia remains a fine genre, which I certainly want to see more of. 3.5*.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A fantastic martial arts film. I really like this. And for once, it’s not a bad thing that Sammo Hung Kam-Bo keeps a bit of a distance. Donnie Yen is the star of the film and has a powerful opponent, especially in Kate Tsui. I actually only knew Daniel Lee from Black Mask with Jet Li, which is of a different caliber. This 14 Blades is on a higher level with an epic film in which martial arts is more than just beating up some bad guys.

With Donnie Yen in form and a good choreographer and director behind him, the fight scenes are a joy to watch. The modern approach to weapons works quite well. However, Tuo Tuo is sometimes interwoven with CGI, and that doesn't always turn out well. Not that the film suffers greatly from it, but it does play a role and pales somewhat in comparison to the strong scenes with Yen.

14 Blades is a film that I will enjoy again later, and perhaps even like better. So, a good film. And time to look up some more of Daniel Lee.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Let me start by saying that I didn't think much of the story. Not very innovative, featuring the classic romance between the über-warrior and the pretty chick once again. And yet another tyrant who wants to seize power and needs to be stopped. Asian cinema really needs innovation in that area, because after many decades of this, I consider it more than milked dry. But then again, a Chinese film wouldn't be a Chinese film if they didn't finish it off visually very beautifully again, because it is once again extraordinarily beautiful to look at. At many moments, it feels a lot like a western (sets, music, scene setup). I also had to laugh when the chicken drumsticks are used as weapons . It makes it lighthearted and fun. The martial arts are decent, as is typical for a wuxia film... although the choreography doesn't look easy. Solid, but not one that really stands out.

Translated from Dutch · View original