By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Finally. The second and conclusive part to the epic John Woo movie ``Red Cliff'' has arrived, just in time for the Seollal (Lunar New Year) holiday. Fans who waited half a year for the ultimate battle sequence will not be disappointed.
If Hollywood action draws inspirations from the Trojan War, then Asian cinema's biggest project -- an 80 billion won investment by South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China -- can turn to the famous Red Cliff battle, which took place almost two millennia ago and highlights the Chinese historical tome ``Romance of the Three Kingdoms.''
``Red Cliff 2'' is epic in all senses of the word: the hottest stars bring classic history to life, and a grand spectacle of fire and water redefines the art of warfare. It's quite long too. But the minutes fly by as the movie offers more of the ingenious war mechanics and martial arts action that embellished the first of the franchise.
Moreover, this blockbuster-to-be relies on more than just jaw dropping visuals as it is ultimately a suspenseful war of wits. It is, furthermore, a poetic love song to the East Asian philosophy of life, that man must live in harmony with Mother Nature and her wondrous workings with earth, water, fire and wind.
The 40-minute combat scene, with flames blazing upon water, inspires awe and caution, reaffirming childhood lessons not to play with fire. It's dangerous even on the movie set, as the fiery project took the life of a stuntman.
The sequel picks up where the first film left off, on the eve of a maritime battle that will determine the fate of three kingdoms. It dives right into the story rather than spending time trying to attract and educate newcomers to the franchise.
Bitter over an unforeseen defeat to rival states Shu and Wu, Cao Cao (mainland veteran Zhang Fengyi) of the Wei Kingdom is confident that his million-man fleet will crush the alliance once and for all. The film does not go without the allegory of a continuing northern authority versus small southern ``rebels'' conflict; but it tones down the politics as Gen. Zhou Yu (``Lust, Caution'' hero Tony Leung), representing the allies, makes it clear that he opposes Cao Cao's harsh ways rather than the emperor's rule.
An epidemic and seasickness cripple Cao Cao's men, however, postponing D-day. About half of the film features in detail each side's combat schemes. Zhou Yu and strategist Zhuge Liang (Japanese-Taiwanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro) take the time to demoralize their enemy, and trick Cao Cao into practically giving them 100,000 arrows and even beheading his top generals.
Nevertheless, the allies are still seriously outnumbered and can only increase their chances of winning by attacking with fire. A northwester, however, compromises their plan, as the flames would blow back in their direction. Zhuge Liang, foreseeing an astronomical movement that will change the circumstances, urges the allies to postpone the attack. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiao (supermodel Li Chiling), Zhou Yu's beautiful wife whom Cao Cao lusts after, heads to the enemy line with a plan of her own.
Reappearing in the film is Chang Chen (``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'') as the young king of the Yu Kingdom waiting for a face-off with Cao Cao. Chinese sweetheart Zhang Wei also resumes her role as the emperor's tomboy sister and provides comic relief. The director's iconic pigeon, omnipresent even in his Hollywood flicks ``Face/Off'' and ``Mission Impossible,'' also joins the star-studded cast as a little messenger.
Coming to theaters Jan. 22. CGV Theater is offering a special back-to-back screening of ``Red Cliff 1'' and ``2'' Friday in Gangbyeon, Yongsan, Guro and Wangsimni in Seoul as well as in Incheon, Suwon, Busan and Daegu; Saturday at Dongrae and Pohang; and Sunday at Iksan and Changwon.
141 minutes. 15 and over. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex. In Chinese with Korean subtitles.