RED CLIFF
John Woo masterly choreographs this spectacular war epic, the most expensive Chinese film proudly presents John Woo back to Asia.
by Vishal Verma

Released in India by Multivision.
A China Film Group Corp. (in China)/Avex Entertainment (in Japan)/CMC Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox (in Taiwan)/Showbox (in South Korea) release of a China Film Group, Chengtian Entertainment (China)/Avex Entertainment (Japan)/CMC Entertainment (Taiwan)/Showbox, Taewon Entertainment (South Korea)/John Woo presentation of a Lion Rock Prods. production. (International sales: Summit Entertainment, Los Angeles.)

Produced by : Terence Chang, Woo
Executive producers : Han Sanping, Wu Kebo, Masato Matsuura, Ryuhei Chiba, Huang Chin-wen, Kim Woo-taek, Ryu Jeong-chun
Co-producers : Anne Woo, Zhang Daxing, Yeh Ju-feng, David Tang, Wang Wei, Cheri Yeung
Directed by : John Woo
Screenplay : Woo, Khan Chan, Kuo Cheng, Sheng Heyu
Genre : action – epic
Target Audience : General

Starring

Zhou Yu - Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Zhuge Liang - Takeshi Kaneshiro
Cao Cao - Zhang Fengyi
Sun Quan - Chang Chen
Sun Shangxiang - Vicki Zhao
Zhao Yun - Hu Jun
Gan Xing - Shido Nakamura
Xiao Qiao - Lin Chi-ling
Liu Bei - You Yong
Lu Su - Hou Yong
Sun Shucai - Tong Dawei
Li Ji - Song Jia
Guan Yu - Basenzabu
Zhang Fei - Zang Jinsheng
Huang Gai - Zhang Shan
Cao Hong - Wang Hui
Jiang Gan - Shi Xiaohong
Kong Rong - Wang Qingxiang
Emperor Xian - Wang Ning
Lady Mi - He Yin

With: Sun Chun, Jiang Tong, Kou Shixun, Koyuki, Li Hong, Menghe Wuliji, Wang Yuzhang, Zhang Yi, Wu Qi, Chen Changhai, Zhao Chengshun, Wang Zaolai, Xie Gang, Yi Zhen, Jia Hongwei, Guo Chao, Cui Yugui, Xu Fengnian, Ma Jing, Hu Xiaoguang, Ye Hua.
(Mandarin dialogue)

Technical Analysis

Based on the most famous battle in Chinese history, which in turn was immortalised in the 14th-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Red Cliff - the most expensive Chinese-language picture ever is a thrilling, beautifully shot and superbly acted, return to form for director John Woo, who combines spectacular action sequences with suspenseful strategic twists and turns.

Moving at a cracking pace, once the various pieces are in place, the film becomes a thrilling battle of strategic wits. Woo orchestrates some extraordinary battle sequences, most notably a brilliant turtle formation sequence, a terrific sandstorm chase and a brilliant set-piece where Zhuge comes up with an inspired way of stealing ammunition from the enemy fleet.

The pic balances character, grit, spectacle and visceral action in a meaty, dramatically satisfying pie that delivers. Concentrating more on the older lots then the traditional Asian youth audience, The Indian version is reduced from 4 1/2-hour to 2 1/2-hour version that could end up losing much of the character detail that motors the production.

But one cannot deny that the acting is excellent. Takeshi Kaneshiro is extremely compelling as the seemingly unflappable Zhuge and he has intriguing chemistry with Tony Leung. There's also strong support from Zhang Fenyi (who makes a great villain), Zhao Wei (as a feisty warrior princess) and Chiling Yin as Zhou's wife, with whom Cao Cao is dangerously obsessed. Dark-toned color processing doesn't glamorize the period and adds gravitas to many of the youthful actors. Japanese composer Taro Iwashiro's multi-faceted score -- brazzy, playful, lyrical by turns -- adds real dramatic clout throughout. Visual effects are fine.

The movie gets 4 out of 5

One for the spectacle as expected from a John Woo film.

One for the action sequences

One for the brilliant acting

& one for the production values & grandiosity

The Story

The script by Woo and three other writers mixes elements from history (as recorded in a third-century chronicle by Chen Shou), the freely fictionalized classic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and their own filmic imagination into a dramatic stew.
The Han Dynasty is facing its death in third century China, and the emperor raises a million-man army against two kingdoms that are hopelessly outmatched.

Business Analysis

The most expensive Chinese-language picture ever is a thrilling, beautifully shot and superbly acted, return to form for director John Woo, will attract decent legs but will face a stiff competition during the opening from bollywood’s highly publicized romancer. The legs will surely multiply slowly & gradually by word of positive mouth.

Other Credits

Camera (CineLabs Beijing color, widescreen), Lu Yue, Zhang Li; editors, Angie Lam, Yang Hongyu, Robert A. Ferretti; music, Taro Iwashiro; production-costume designer, Tim Yip; sound (Dolby Digital), Roger Savage; sound designer, Steve Burgess; visual effects supervisors, Craig Hayes, Kevin Rafferty; visual effects, The Orphanage, CafeFX, Hatch Prod.; stunt supervisor, Dion Lam; stunt co-ordinator, Guo Jianyong; assistant directors, Albert Cho, Richard L. Fox, Thomas Chow; secnd unit directors, Zhang Jinzhan (army battles), Patrick Leung (naval battle); action director, Corey Yuen; casting, Cheng Jie. Reviewed at Eros Mini Theatre, Mumbai on July 28, 2009.

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