Review of House of Flying Daggers (2004) by Alan M — 01 Oct 2010
"China 859 AD, the once mighty Tang dynasty is in decline. The emperor is weak and incompetent. His corrupt government no longer controls the land. Unrest sweeps the country. Village by village, an underground alliance forms: The House of Flying Daggers...".
A textured historical context is draped in Zhang Yimou's flamboyant pageantry, exhibiting a grand procession of exuberance and colour, elegantly flowing like the undulating robes of Zhang Ziyi.
However, behind its mask of slick style, lies a poignant romance, intimately blossoming in the serene seclusion of the forest and breezing through the trees like a "playful wind.".
But the "playful wind stops at will" and eventually a more solemn tone takes hold, giving rise to a torrent of jealousy and flaring passions that billow out into sweeping, panoramic visuals, which encompass breathtaking Chinese landscapes that are invigorated by a vibrant palette radiating from the screen.
The dazzling visuals are exquisitely rendered by cinematographer, Xiaoding Zhao, with each frame an exaggerated celebration of mythical warriors and damsels in distress, vividly expressed through graceful motion and delicate emotion handled by Yimou with an impressively light touch.
"House of Flying Daggers" is a sumptuous model of finesse that serves as a ceremonious tribute to an ancient and refined culture immersed in allegorical legend.
This review of House of Flying Daggers (2004) was written by Alan M on 01 Oct 2010.
House of Flying Daggers has generally received very positive reviews.
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