[CN-M] The Warlords (2007)

[Nukaew]

Genre: Drama/Action
Director: Peter Chan
Starring: Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Xu Jinglei
RunTime: 2 hrs 7 mins
Opening Day: 13 December 2007





Synopsis:
The nineteenth century was an era of conflict: the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the German Empire in Europe; the Civil War in America; the Meiji Restoration in Japan; the Opium War in China followed by the Taiping Rebellion in Nanjing… all critical events that shaped the world today. At times of chaos, heroes are born yet innocence is forever lost…

It’s the mid-19th century, one of the darkest periods of Chinese history. The country is suffering under the rule of the corrupt Manchus who invaded China from the North and established the country’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing. Natural disasters are wreaking havoc in the countryside, and in the midst of this chaos, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, one of the strongest rebel groups ever to rise up in China, is overrunning the country and staging battles with the Qing army threatening the Dragon throne.

When Ma first met the rough-and-ready bandit, Cao Erhu (starring Andy Lau) and his trusted Lieutenant Zhang Wenxiang (starring Takeshi Kaneshiro), he had not an inkling that they will forever change his life. Cao, the dark and charismatic leader of a band of bandits, bonded with the dark Ma when this stranger saved his life. At Zhang’s urging, the three swear blood brotherhood. Ma had a dream – he wants to rid China of both the rebels and the corrupt Qing officials. Ma convinces Cao and Zhang on this noble quest and the trio soon engages in many dangerous battles and win. With the help of Cao and his men, Ma manages to squelch the rebels and rises through the ranks. Success has the power to corrupt – Ma soon became obsessed with power.

Cao and Zhang return to their native village, and Cao reunites for an evening with his beautiful wife, Lian (starring Xu Jinglei). But when she and Ma look at each other for the first time, the chemistry is overwhelming; and the seed of betrayal is sown. Ma must remove the one obstacle standing between him and the loyalty of the bandit-soldiers and the beautiful Lian.

[Nukaew]

The question I had to consider after I finished watching this movie in theater yesterday

"Is the Strongest Point also the Weakest Point ?"

In General :
This movie is good(but not great as I expected). All components of this movies; casts, director, prop play,scenery, photography ; are excellent.However, spoilers released too many & too early so the story is quite predictable.When the story of a movie is predictable, audience's feeling ( or in other word "bond") to each characters will be the main part to make they decide if it is just good or great movie.


The Plot :
Despite the main plot of this movie is well-known & quite predictable as I told you above. some subplots are interesting.for example
- Main characters' personalities are shown obviously by action/facial expression> word
- But the scriptwriter can use words to reflect inside feeling, as Jet Li & Takeshi think of the day they meet each other in completely different way.
- In 4000 soldiers scene, the lines of script of 3 stars are excellent.There are proper reasons to support both sides. It is hard to decide between " promise vs own survival"

However, The scriptwriter can't make the audience feel "in" or "bond" with brotherhood. Of Course they help each other in battle but there are no scene outside the battle that can represent their brotherhood in style "one for all and all for one"

Casts :
This is the strongest point of this movie ( who dare to object ?). Jet Li, Andy Lau & Takeshi in one movie wow !! They did their best.

For me Takeshi Kaneshiro is most touching.Takeshi's face is flawless :icon_lol: He is so handsome ( more than in poster) Also his acting is better than his previous work

But this is also weakest point ??? Personally, I think a successful war epic movie need a hero who the audience love & give support 100 % like Tom Hank in Saving Private Ryan and Gerard Butler in 300.

The warlords get 3 asian superstars so the showtime is shared by three (almost) equally so no one is obviously prominent. The result of 3 superstar = no real hero = no one get my 100 % support --> so it is just good , not great

Conclusion :
-Don't miss if you are in any following : Jet Li Fanclub, Andy Lau Fanclub or Takeshi Kaneshiro Fanclub (recommended)
-It is worthy to watch this movie in theater cause it is not easy to see this 3 superstars in the same movie
-Try to avoid spoilers before watching (so I'm sorry if you didn't watch the warloards before read my comment!!!)

[porkyng]

I haven't watch this movie yet but after this review I'm definitely going to watch it ^^ I'm a big fan of Jet Lee and will never miss any movie that he is in

[karenyang]

i love watching war movies...so this is a must watch for me....really enjoy all jet li's movie.....

[vivi_g]

The Warlords is actually a Mainland production.

[dragknight]

THis is a pretty good movie. Able to see the consequences of war. I didn't really like the ending.

[acer]

I watched this when I was overseas.I did not like it much and it was very bloody and violent.