House Of Flying Daggers Reviews

Not what you might think, but good all the same...

Do not go and watch this film expecting two hours of pioneering martial arts scenes. If you want that, rent one of the Matrix films, god knows that's all they're good for.

What you should look forward to is involving relationships and a story that is far more thoughtful and complex than you average sword-flick. Zhang Yimou, as with his previous film 'Hero', creates a breath-taking view of the part fantasy, part ledgend world in which the characters live. He also weaves intricate plotlines that provide welcome suprises throughout the film.

Finally, he does drop in the occasional bit of fisticuffs... most of which will be the most exciting and balletic sword/dagger/hand-to-hand combat scenes you will see in a cinema.

One thing he can't do though, is coax a decent performance out of his actors. Only Zhang Ziyi convinces as a blind but deadly dancer.

GET ON WITH IT!

...is what I mostly found myself thinking during House of Flying Daggers. Five stars for aesthetics, four stars for performances, but a measly one star for writing. The plot is so thin that it would struggle to make a meaty 90 minute film; this film draws it out over nigh on 2 hours. The characters are also very shallow - some background would have been nice - and I did get a bit tired of the way that the players manage to slice and dice one another, spit out a bit of blood and then carry on like they've just grazed their knee or got a bit of a splinter, rather than a whacking great sword in the back.

So all this averages out to three stars. Hero was better.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Film of the Year

The House of Flying Daggers is a great title for any film, and in this case the finished article more than lives up to the promise suggested. The sets, the lighting, the costumes, the set-pieces; it makes you realise how audiences must have felt when they first encountered sound.

The action sequences are astonishing, even though it's essentially a love story. That's quite enough in itself, but there's also a political allegory running lightly in the background. Light enough, at least, for the film to be considered suitable for export, unlike some of Zimou's earlier, more trenchant works. The beauty of this film is that can be enjoyed on many different levels and, hopefully, by many different people. It is for these reasons that it gets my not-yet-coveted Best Film of 2004 award.

Major Tedium

OK... I've been eagerly awaiting this movie since seeing the trailers before Zhang's 'Hero' and finally saw it last night...

What a let down! Now while this movie is pretty, it sure is dull. If you have seen this movie, just count the minutes spent by characters running or riding through trees - no pace at all!!!

This film effectively has only three characters but barely fleshes out their personalities and only superficially reveals their relationships with one another. Some depth and meaning would have been nice!!!

Fair enough though - having seen the trailer I'll admit I wasn't after 'Manhattan' - I was looking for some major martial arts and some serious combat set pieces. The opening scene with the 'Echo' game and subsequent combat was a nice taster, but after that... drawn out slo-mo with an over reliance on CG effects( the flying daggers themselves) failed to impress, and they certainly weren't on the grand scale of 'Hero'.

There are things to recommend about this film - even though it did not meet my expectations - such as the shot composition and vivid pallette used - the lush green bamboo forest, for example.

I just wish that 70% of the movie had been left on the cutting room floor - or framed and put on a wall. The last time I seriously considered walking out of a screening was Kevin Costner's 'Tin Cup'...before last night...

masterclass

Every frame of this picture looks like a Monet painting, the bamboo forest scenes stand out as bursts of vivid colour and stark contrasts contribute to possibly the most beautiful piece of camerawork Ive ever seen. As for the plot its simple and thats no bad thing, performances are fine, with the female lead particularly enchanting. This is a style of cinema far removed from UK or USA and its impossible to compare ...and impossible to fault

Awesome!

A must see movie but not to be compared to 'Crouching Tiger'. These are two very different films.

Flying Daggers is a well conceived film which held my attention for the whole 2 hours. With many twists and turns in the story I found it difficult to keep up with the subtitles in places. None the less it didn't detract from my enjoyment nor from the beauty of the film.

Watch for the beautifully choreographed 'dance' near the beginning - it was truly awesome!

Quality direction and visuals

As per other reviews, this film just oozes quality direction and visuals. The colour depiction, settings, and effects are absolutely perfect.

If you feel like being swept away by cinematic beauty, then rent this masterpiece.

Storyline and acting are improving with quality in each film from the director. Casting includes some favourites, most notably Ziyi Zhang whose skills at traditional dancing and martial arts are wonderful, matched only by her outstanding beauty.

An absolute treasure of a film. Rent it and enjoy.

Watch me instead of Hero and Crouching Tiger

Quite simply this film is brilliant. 'Crouching Tiger', was so-so and 'Hero' was visually stunning but let down by the story.

This film however gives you a fantastic story with twists and amazing scenery and action.

Don't let subtitles put you off as with all films of this genre, talking is limited to what is needed and instead you have beautiful visuals.

Watch Me! Watch ME!

Stunning

This movie is pure eye candy, with a great soundtrack, although it's a pity the Lisa Gerrard track from Gladiator wasn't in the score as it works brilliantly on the trailer. Great movie to mellow out to. :)

Great

From a martial arts point of view this film is a wonder. Whilst Hero and crouching tiger are based upon very over the top shaolin kung fu, Flying daggers gives us a much more realistic view of the quality of the actors skills. There are massive questions to the amount of acuacy in there range attacks. However what you get to see is fantastic. If you are a martial artist you will want to buy this film to watch it over and over. The film itsself is a true story but very dramatised. It does help If you know a lil chinese as you may be ditracted by the subtitles. Just make sure you watch it a few times!!!