Red Cliff: Megastars Bring Mega Action

Director John Woo brings the epic serial battle movie "Red Cliff" starring Tony Leung, center, and other superstars like Takeshi Kaneshiro and Chang Chen.

/ Courtesy of Showbox/Mediaplex

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Finally. Asian cinema sees the birth of a movie with the grandeur ― in both budget and inspiration ― of epic franchises like ``The Lord of the Rings.'' ``Mission Impossible II'' and ``Face/Off'' helmer John Woo brings ``Red Cliff'' (``Chi Bi'' in Chinese), a pulsating, two-part battle flick based on the historical tome ``The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.''

To drive up the heat, it stars not one but three iconic actors: Tony Leung (``Lust, Caution''), Takeshi Kaneshiro (``House of Flying Daggers'') and Chang Chen (``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.'').

This $80 million co-production by South Korea's Showbox/Mediaplex is yet another story about the three warring ancient Chinese states. Recently, there was another domestic production geared for a pan-Asian audience, ``Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon'' with Andy Lau and Maggie Q. ``Red Cliff'' not only satisfies those who grew up reading the novel, but will also appeal to a wider audience.

One thinks of the term: ``man's reach exceeds his grasp.'' The efforts of the director to push on ― even after surpassing the original budget halfway through the shoot and pouring every penny of his own funds into the project ― bear fruit because the movie is built upon a strong foundation. A classic story comes to life through a beautiful, well crafted mise-en scene with memorable characters and a believability that stems from a delicious mix of realism and fantasy.

At first, the string of characters and crisscrossed political tensions may baffle those unfamiliar with the original tale. But it's quite simple. The evil and ambitious Gen. Cao Cao (Zhang Fengyi) manipulates the puppet king of the Wei Kingdom to wage war against the rival states of Shu and Wu. The latter two join hands against their common enemy, but are seriously outnumbered by Cao Cao's million-men army.

But with the charismatic leadership of Gen. Zhou Yu (Tony Leung), the strategic thinking of scholar Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and the support of fiery emperor Sun Quan (Chang Chen), they manage to declare a small victory. While Cao Cao scoffs at this as no big deal, it adds fuel to his fury. Beneath Cao Cao's reunification efforts is a Helen of Troy-like tug of war; he lusts after Gen. Zhou Yu's beautiful wife (played by model-turned-actress Li Chiling) and is determined to claim her as part of his conquest.

Now, the climactic maritime battle by the Red Cliff will determine their fate.

Breathtaking, state-of-the-art battle formations fill the screen. Think of the computer game ``Starcraft'' supersized in real action plus alpha. You're inspired to cheer for your favorite hero, each with his own distinctive fighting personalities. One warrior dives headfirst into a group of soldiers unarmed, siezes a spear in mid-trajectory and kills the enemy with it.

But the film ensures quality as well as quantity. Hefty action sequences are knit together with delightful detail, including poetic animal imagery. While the Asian-ness of movies like ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'' caters to a Western audience, ``Red Cliff'' captures the heart and soul of the Asian philosophy with a more universal appeal.

In addition to Woo's Hollywood-perfected directorship, the movie brings together more talent from the West: Craig Hayes, computer graphics guru of ``Pirates of the Caribbean,'' ``Superman Returns'' and ``The Matrix''; Corey Yuen, action director for ``X-Men''; and Timmy Yip, set and costume of ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.''

``Red Cliff'' opens in Asian theaters July 10 and the second part of the movie will follow in December. 15 and over. 132 minutes. In Chinese with Korean subtitles. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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