House of Flying Daggers: Frank's Take
01/02/2005 . Source: Frank Ochieng 

Adventurous filmmaker Zhang Yimou mesmerized movie audiences previously with his resonate action-oriented gem Hero. In House of Flying Daggers, he ups the ante and delivers a dynamically polished kinetic drama that enhances this movie genre with its sophisticated ode to romanticism and tradition.

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Sony Pictures. 1 hour 58 minutes. Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Song Dandan. Directed by: Zhang Yimou.

Adventurous filmmaker Zhang Yimou mesmerized movie audiences previously with his resonate action-oriented gem Hero. In House of Flying Daggers, he ups the ante and delivers a dynamically polished kinetic drama that enhances this movie genre with its sophisticated ode to romanticism and tradition. Visually alluring in its exquisitely stylish execution, Yimou's House of Flying Daggers is a riveting epic that soars beyond the boundless imagination. There's no doubting the luscious landscape of Yimou's visionary boundaries as his narrative dares to explore the compromised intimacy of roguish warfare and romance in the name of honor.

Granted that Zimou's stunning spectacle will beg for appropriate comparisons that will recall such poetic ditties as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the aforementioned Hero. Both entries had the raging spirit of a solid storyline immersed in the wonderment of thrilling fight sequences, ravishing scenic settings, and the consideration for conveying complex emotional human development. The portrayal of martial arts moviemaking has definitely adhered to a whole new level of appreciation courtesy of an evolving growth for smart, sensationalistic cinema.

However, what House of Flying Daggers (or its Chinese title Shi Mian Mai Fu) suggests more convincingly is its inherent ability to promote its powerfully soulful strides through the beauty and brutality of its wavering sentimentality. True, the blueprint for the inventive formula of the gravity-defying stunts and breathtaking fight-oriented choreography is indescribable (if not familiar) in all its brilliance. And the astounding special effects add to the mystique and magic of Zimou's stimulating melodrama that revels marvelously in fanciful fury. Still, House feels effortlessly free in striking up a varied smorgasbord of elements that combine the compelling components of costumes, combat, coloring, courageousness, and characterization. Overall, it's refreshing to witness a hauntingly skillful action-pack drama that hits your senses from all sorts of directions.

We are introduced to the highly classified rebels known as the House of Flying Daggers. Somehow, the ruling Tang Dynasty in China (circa AD 859) is curiously taking a backseat to the prominence of the wily group of rebellious warriors. It should be known that the Tang Dynasty is an unscrupulous bunch indeed and they need some serious monitoring regarding their questionable operation. Whatever the conflicting census may be, it's clear that the boiling point has been met by both factions-the tainted Tang Dynasty and the devious-minded Daggers must somehow put a perpetual halt to their simmering competitiveness.

Although the Daggers have suffered from various bouts with misfortune, their resiliency to stay focused and disciplined understandably scares the watchful eyes of the guarded authorities. Not taking any chances whatsoever in the unpredictability of the Daggers' uprising, the overseeing forces decide to infiltrate their tumultuous targets as a means to contain their effectiveness. Enter veteran government official Leo (Andy Lau). Leo hatches a scheme to send one of his trusted right hand men in the person of dashing undercover cop Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro, Returner) to find out the details of the enemy's motivations. Specifically, Jin is to work his "carnal craftiness" on the daughter of the group's recently assassinated leader.

It's a matter of time before we start to understand how attentive the heartthrob Jin will be when registering on the hormonal radar of pretty pixie Mei (Zhang Ziyi from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), a blind but talented sword-swinging sweetie. It certainly will be a major mistake to underestimate Mei because she's as deadly as she is delicate in her feminine appearance. The bewildering revelation about Jin and Mei is simply how quickly these two feisty fighters are drawn to one another romantically given their instinctual resistance for letting down their emotional guard. Whether through the embracing arms of war-torn malaise or competing lovers testing their forbidden feelings for one another, Yimou's radiant showcase is the ultimate wuxia (meaning "martial chivalry") to behold with spellbinding forethought.

Overall, Yimou's sparkling spectacle will have one's blood percolating thanks to the sensuality of the moviemaker's exquisite exposition accompanied by furious and frenetic acrobats and the soothing movie score courtesy of Shigeru Umebayashi's lyrical touch. Other credit also needs to go to reliable Hong Kong fight choreographer Tony Ching Siu-Tung (A Chinese Ghost Story) for capturing the profound essence of the characters' graceful bodily reactions that are both surreal and serene.

Jaw-dropping in its elegance to the universal theme of love and war, it's worth the price of admission to take a creative stab at House of Flying Daggers.

Frank Ochieng

(c) Frank Ochieng 2005