about
You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
House of Flying Daggers (Shi mian mai fu)
the one line review:
another typical weirdo chink flick
the overview
There was a spate of these last year, as they all came out of the woodwork following the very successful Kneeling Wheeliebin Missing Gazebo. Same old formula, and they all work pretty well.
the plot:
The House of Flying Daggers are an a rebel organisation set up to rebel against corrupt local government. Or something. Not sure really. Needless to say, there's a bunch of double hard martial artists floating around trying to organise a bit of a chaos. So when the police go after them via a blind erotic dancer, the trap is set.
the verdict:
Actually, that plot description has nothing to do with the purpose of this film. It's a love story pure and simple, and explores the effect of chance encounters and forced accomplices on love and relationships.
The whole thing is full of twists and "you thought this was happening, but this is what really happened" and of course the martial arts sequences are skilfully done. There's more men floating about on trees action, and plenty of ridiculous fantasy fights and such like. You definitely get the feeling with this film that the producers have made an effort to make the story followable, especially as it's filmed entirely in Chinese/Mandarin with English subtitles so as not to alienate stupid people. Which is what the one about the dragons and tigers did. Probably about as good as Hero, and if you like this sort of thing, well worth a watch. Additionally, it's got Ziyi Zheng in it (pictured) who I would marry in a second.
All movie reviews
