” DRAGON BLADE – 天將雄師 ” (2015) Movie Review. Plus Press Conference.
It has finally arrived, the much-touted JACKIE CHAN’s actioner targeting to bridge creative culture between the East and West by way of this awesome media presentation.
It’s either you love this film.
Or you simply loathe it.
Either way JACKIE CHAN is laughing all his way to the bank.
He’s China’s most bankable star in terms of dollars and cents.
Now you decide!
In brief, DRAGON BLADE is a hellava bold ancient war epic embodying sprawling war fields shot on eagle eye's view from thousands of feet above the clouds in widescope, liken to lord-of-the-ring’s raging modus operandi.
Some critics affirm the likelihood. There are a minor few who beg to differ.
Toplined by a bankable east-and-west team of Jackie Chan tagging John Cusack and Adrien Brody, film director Daniel Lee executes a colossal entertainment with spellbinding sight and sound.
The plot is secondary.
” We hereby pledge that ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS. But heck, there’s a traitor among us! Who, Sir?”
Picture (left John Cusak). Picture (right Adrien Brody)
DRAGON BLADE is an ambitiously written project directed by Daniel Lee and stars Jackie Chan. In the film, Chan plays Huo An, the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty.
If you follow closely the gossip mills, it is touted as the most expensive Chinese-language movie ever produced in the Asian cinematic history, reportedly shot at an unbelievable $65 million-budget.
Jackie Chan plays Huo An, a commander of the Protection Squad assigned by the emperor of the Han Dynasty to maintain peace and order among the warring tribes in the Silk Road region. When Huo An and his fellow soldiers are accused of treason by jealous parties, they end up being imprisoned in a labour camp and forced to work as slaves.
Soon came General Lucius (John Cusack), who aids s a blind boy named Publius (Jozef Waite) with his legion of loyal Roman army culled from Publius’s treacherous older brother, Tiberius (Adrien Brody).
As the Romans are approaching at the labour camp, the Chinese border guards try to stop them but are hopelessly outmatched.
However, Huo An manages to turn things around by defeating Lucius during a one-on-one sword fight.
As a result, both of them gain mutual respect for each other. And in return for Huo An’s hospitality extended to the small Roman army, Lucius helps in building the fort within the labour camp.
Here the PLOT in a nutshell.
The other supporting characters are only playing second fiddle to beef up the tale.
For K-pop fans, they might be disappointed to find that Choi Si-won (Super Junior member) has only limited screen presence.
The cast and crew naturally encounter difficult filming conditions due to the intense heat, heavy costumes and exhausting long working hours. Filming is no fun, man.
The final act is argued as a take-off from The Hobbit where armies of warring countries arrive at an opportune time when Huo An’s troops are facing defeat.
Flying eagles are used as well, although they’re not as overpowering as the ones in The Hobbit.
After an uncompromising lavish of logic and battle cries, the ultimatum has arrived for a climatic one-on-one fight scene with the foe.
LIN PENG
JOHN CUSAK
ADREIN BRODY
CHOI Si-WON
A DUEL to the DEATH.
RATING: 4 out of 5
(Please scroll down for event report on the PRESS CONFERENCE)
Local Distributor: GSC MOVIES
THE PRESS CONFERENCE on 11th February, 2015,
Photos are courtesy of BENJAMIN LO for K-TEAM PRODUCTIONS
THE multi talented DUO who hosted the event is ROYCE and SERENA. Splendid choice as there can be no second best, specially for their easy banter and fun quibbling performed with professionalism.
The LEAD CAST of DRAGON BLADE wishes one and all a prosperous and safe YEAR OF THE GOAT.
JACKIE CHAN proudly introduces his HAPPY ACTORS who are pleased they can celebrate CHINESE NEW YEAR in ASIA.
JACKIE CHAN is jumping for JOY. He has just achieved his MALAYSIAN DATUK status. His joy is absolutely mesmerizing.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP and CAMARADERIE are all around.
The MANAGEMENT of GSC MOVIES and ACTORS are getting ready for a bout of LO HEI tossing.
KONG HEI FAT CHOI 2015!!!
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