Movies Review #4: Bodyguards and Assassins

Movie Buddy: SIS (today!!)

Genre: Kung-Fu Thiller

Synopsis: The film transports you back into Hong Kong 1906, when she's still under British rule. Revolutionary Sun Yet Sen is arriving to HK to meet up with 13 rebel factions in order to organise a united effort against the corrupt Qing dynasty. The Qing Imperial Court sends assassins to eliminate him to protect the throne. Li, a rich businessman, played by Wang Xueqi, is unwilling to play a major role in the revolution but is secretly funding it at first. When Chen, played by Tony Leung, the leader of the local resistance and Li's long time friend is captured, he decided take over his leadership role. The movie mainly showcase the unwillingness of Li to aid the cause and the effort put in by the resistance to defend Dr Sun.

Note: the score break down has been revised to 4 for plot, 4 for overall feels (includes acting) and 2 for replay value. Total stays unchaged at 10.

Plot 1.0/4: The movie can be broken down into 2 parts. The first half would be drama about Li struggles on how much should be involved in the revolution. The cliche part. Li finds out his son is taking part in revolutionary activities behind his back and blames Chen, who is his son's tutor. When Chen is captured by Qing agents, Li leads the resistance as suspected. The second half is practically "attack and defend the convoy" where almost all the actions end up. The well placed fight scenes, and a few tactical surprises (though some tactics are ridiculous) from both sides are the few saving graces of the plot. It's common knowledge that Dr Sun survived it, but timely deaths of some unexpected characters is the only thing that squeezes the movie into the thriller genre.

feel 2.5/4: The fight scenes were unexpectedly messy and short. Probably meant to depict the chaos in battle but director Teddy Chen overdone it for some parts, giving the thought of "wadda hell did he juz do ta him?" I didn't really see much strong revolutionary spirit in some of the more crucial main characters like Chen. Dr Sun, our all important principal of the movie appeared for only say... 3 minutes in total? Just enough to show that he was actually planning with the 13 faction representatives and say his famous inspiring words. He lack the Lenin-like persona he deserves as one of the greatest revolutionaries. However, points for Wang for melding into his character, Li, well, showing his insecurities as is participates in the revolutionary activities and the worry for his son.

Replay Value 0.5/2.0: As mentioned the fight scenes aren't that great. The super stellar cast isn't that much of a help either.

Grand total: 4.0/10
Other scores: SC Reviews 2.5/5 (insing.com)

Spoilers: Plot flaws are everywhere. Li obviously will fail his sit-test (test in BMT where one is tested for his leadership skill and tactics to see if he can go OCS). He knew that 3 shops where leased to unknown vendors one day before Dr Sun arrival and he didn't change the route of the convoy and instead asked them to rush through the area. Oh wait, the Qing agents knew about the route too!! Begger Liu, Mr iron fan and the most skillful fighter of the rebels stalls half a platoon size worth of assassins for 15 minutes with 5 mins of fighting. He is pretty insulted by giving him a less than 30secs to get completely pwned by Qing agent leader Quo after artfully clearing the pawns. A very anti-climatic death for a brilliant fighter. Old Mrs. Sun's house only has one face and one entrance (or Quo men don't know how to flank) Quo could throw a bamboo pole through a iron lined rickshaw, miss the passenger (who could be Dr Sun) , killing the rickshaw puller.

Final Say: Another flick which adds on to the list of lousy plot all action Kung-fu movies. Watch as a last resort.