Monday, August 4, 2008

An Empress and a Warrior

An Empress and a Warrior

This ladies and gentlemen is why fantasia exists in my opinion. It is for awesome horror movies and great martial art epics.

This movie has fantastic visuals, great fight choreography and beautiful locals.

The story in this movie is basic. In a way Shakespearian. A boy ( Muyong) and a girl (Feier) who knew each other since they were little. Grow up to lead different lives but still very much a part of each others. Although they always love each other, they never make a move therefore nothing happens between the 2.

Enter the jealous nephew that wants to rule the kingdom (even though General Muyong received that honor), enter the foreign romantic party that rescues Princess Feire (who ended up becoming the empress) and sit back as the action and scenery take your breath away.

As a typical Chinese epic movie, cheese comes at wholesale prices. A lot of corny lines, poetry and restrained show of affection (even though the movie does contain a love scene)

The moral of the whole movie is simple. War brings only more suffering and Peace comes with too high of a price to simply stand by doing nothing.

What sets this movie as a benchmark fantasia movie is the scope of this movie. Huge armies, big sets, amazing battles and the unique touch of heroism that the Chinese warriors possess. Not to mention the serious tone this movie has. You laugh when the character acts silly and you cheer for them when they are faced with overwhelming odds.

Any fantasia fan most likely saw this movie. If not, they better have a great reason to have missed it.

Daniel Moscovici

Rating: 8.5/10



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