House Of Flying Daggers

I liked this. It was very 'serene' and beautifully filmed, whilst being gently engaging. My God! What am I wittering on about? A good story and very watchable... how about that for a review?

I read a few criticisms of the House of Flying Daggers that it’s all ‘style over substance.’ Well, it’s certainly stylish, but I found there to be a fair amount of substance in essentially a kick-kicky type film. Yes, it’s dubbed into English. Some will appreciate that, other puritans may long to see it in its native tongue. Either way, I don’t think it will affect too many people’s perception of the film. It’s about a subversive organisation, known as the ‘Flying Daggers’ who are working to bring down the corrupt Chinese government of times past. The chief of police gets one of his best men to befriend a female member of the Daggers, in the hope that she’ll lead the authorities to the Daggers’ leader, in order to destroy them at the highest level. Nothing too new there and I won’t give any more away on the story, as there may be a few twists and turns that you don’t see coming. It is beautifully shot. Obviously too much for some, who cry style over substance. I don’t see how people can’t be taken with the scenery and costumes. Plus the fight scenes (of which there are certainly many!) are amazingly choreographed. The film runs for nearly two hours, but I’m pleased to say that it doesn’t seem that long. There’s enough drama and character development intertwined with the obligatory martial arts then mixed with a love story to give you something pretty interesting. I doubt the House of Flaying Daggers will ever become too mainstream. Ultimately, most of its audience will be those at least with a passing interest in martial arts films, but if you’ve watched any of them, or simply enjoyed Bruce Lee’s work, then give it a go. It’s good fun.

Needs to be watched on a large television to get the full effect.

Asked my wife if she wanted to watch a martial arts film with subtitles and she said no way.

She absolutely loved it, its dramatic, visually stimulating and has a great storyline. It is not an out and out martial arts film, its a work of art.

You'll love it and your misses will cry.

WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn’t keen to watch this movie as I though it would be dull, boring and consist of a lot of reading – Boy was I wrong!

I really really enjoyed this movie. The dancing and fighting scenes were fabulous and the story line was gripping and captivating. The acting and camera work combined with the beautiful scenery really helped set the scene and portray this twisted love story. I’m not keen on sub titles but to be honesty after the first 5 minutes I didn’t realise I was reading it also there wasn’t a lot of dialog.

Would highly recommend watching this and opening your mind to something a little different. Well worth a watch!

Like a ballet - elegant, dramatic, romantic and beautifully choreographed. Fantastic cinematography and with the rich and symbolic use of colour found in Hero. If you like Crouching Tiger you'll love this.