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Too much of everything

Pretty Good

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Set in Ming dynasty China, this film follows Qinglong; a member of the Jinyiwei or secret service. This elite force, made up entirely of orphans is dedicated to the service of the emperor but an attempted takeover at the royal court leaves Qinglong fighting to return a stolen royal seal. On his journey he travels with Qiao Hua the beautiful daughter of a man he employed to help him. Before the task is complete they will have to face many enemies but they will also make new friends.The plot to this film is fairly simple but that doesn't matter; this is a film about action and it delivers that in spades with one spectacular fight after another. As one might expect this includes a fair amount of impossibly athletic martial arts as fighters leap through the air, slice through large wooden building supports and dodge arrows… all part of the fun in this sort of film. While their moves may be impossible the protagonists are far from immortal and many will die bloody deaths before the end. Donnie Yen does a fine job as protagonist Qinglong and is ably supported by Wei Zhao who plays Qiao Hua… although I was a little disappointed that she wasn't in more of the action scenes… perhaps because I'd recently watched the playing Mulan! There is a fighting woman in the film; Kate Tsui who plays the most dangerous of the bad guys Tuo Tuo… a woman who wields a weapon that seems to be a cross between a sword and a whip! Chun Wu who plays 'The Judge of the Desert' is also entertaining. Everything looks good and the desert setting and characters on horseback makes it feel much like a western. Overall it might not be the best example but fans of the genre should enjoy it.These comments are based on watching the film in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Although it gets off to a shaky start, after the first half an hour 14 Blades acquits itself well as a perfectly serviceable martial arts romp with all the requisite elements, ranging from hard-hitting kung fu action, weapon play and court intrigue to romance, picturesque locations and heroic endeavours. It's all made better than it has any right to be thanks to the presence of martial arts supreme Donnie Yen, who's quickly established himself as my favourite of the modern-day action stars.14 BLADES sees Yen playing the role of a powerful governmental assassin who finds himself betrayed by a dastardly villain and forced to flee for his life while an endless stream of warriors pursue him. Along the way, he must contend with his growing feelings for a female ally, played by the ravishing Zhao Wei, while at the same time battling a superior warrior women played by Kate Tsui. There's a pointless cameo for Sammo Hung and some decent fight action along the way, although it has to be said that the choreography isn't as superior as I'd expect given Yen's involvement. Still, for martial arts fans this is a fun if disposable outing.

This is another martial arts flick with weapons and it's a pretty good one at that, just isn't great. Mainly it's because the story is sort of flat although all over the place at times. But I liked the comic book style of this movie and since it works sometimes. The title of this movie is the weapons that Donnie Yen's character carries around with him in a wooden box, but they mostly all look generic. Although each weapon has it's purpose, but you can't tell which weapon is which while watching for the most part. Also the 14 blades isn't even used in a special manner, it just seemed like regular swords for the most part. It would have been cool if it showed each weapon with a distinctive different look and style of fighting to it. But that just doesn't apply to this movie for the most part. What starts out as a bit over the place plot while being somewhat interesting quickly becomes a romance movie between Donnie Yen and Zhao Wei's characters. However the fight choreography is done really well in this and doesn't come off as being super lame to watch or anything like that. It seems like Donnie Yen's talent is increasing with every martial arts movie he is in. The set pieces are well crafted as well and if the plot carried it's own weight as well, this would have been a great martial arts movie.5.8/10

What a great look at how the Chinese days of old used to be. A prince who was using his position of power tries to buy three districts which are of value in a strategic sense. Buying these sectors gives the prince even more power to harness the people and use them as he sees fit. In the middle is one man who found out this coo and decides to stop it at all costs even if it costs him his life. Donnie yen plays an elite guard who are trained from childhood on up to adulthood to become the most feared warrior since the ming dynasty started. Yet before this can happen, in his early years as a child, he had to kill his own brother and emerge from a prison cell where they fought. His life then became a constant turmoil of emotions as he tries to cope with his brothers death by his own hand. In the middle are a host of other bystanders who help him achieve his goal of bringing back the emperors seal which could have made the district deal legal. Other bandits, mercenaries, cut throats, and a lone woman named Tuo Tuo. Her ability is using a technique of speed and deception, along with her arsenal of gifts, she also uses a unique tool which can spear anyone from any position. Plus another woman (Wei Zaho) who falls in love with the hero (Donnie Yen), does what ever her hero demands. It's a blend of a love story mixing with hard action at its best. Donnie Yen gives a brilliant performance as the ex Jinyiwei guard. A man who has nothing to lose, except his dignity. Wonderful acting all around, great music score, and beautiful fight sequences. Recommended viewing for this one.