Chinese directors are known for their exquisite narrative style, best cinematography and craziest stunts, if they decide to work in the Action genre. John Woo is a poster person for all mentioned above. He is the man whose movies are packed with tension, are far from usual, and eventually push the limits of contemporary directing.
John Woo is highly acclaimed in Hollywood, hordes of young artist try to copy his style and his movies constantly have success at the box office (in America, besides artistry, this is the main parameter).
His Hollywood opus consists of very popular movies like “Hostage”, “Broken Arrow” and off course genial “Face Off” (with Nicolas cage and John Travolta) and he has easily switched from Asian to American working mode, with huge success.
His new movie “Red Cliff” or “Chi Bi” or “Chek Bik” (original titles) takes place in 208 A.D. and follows last days of the famous dynasty Han. Series of events starts a riot and the biggest war between the East and the West, led by the Prime Minister personally.
Seeing that cataclysm is approaching, eastern and western civilians, from confronted kingdoms, decide to make an alliance, very unlikely and secret. They merge and start the historic and epic battle for freedom, which changed the course of history and definitely changed the way China was developing at the time.
Like always, John Woo found amazing actors to tell this truly moving story. It is a unique blend of history, drama, action and love, presented in a manner of traditional Asian narration, beautiful, mellow and appealing.
Artistic approach of john Woo is filled with traditional music from and inspired by China, and unique cinematography will most certainly leave you breathless.
Movies like this are an absolute must, you remember them, you fall in love with them and you start loving foreign cultures, guided by the voice and picture made by a true genius – John Woo.
Release Date: November 18, 2009
Genre: Action, Adventure, Foreign, Drama, Adaptation, War
Starring: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Chang Chen, Zhao Wei, Hu Jun
Director: John Woo
Writer: Terence Chang, John Woo, Khan Chan, Kuo Cheng, Sheng Heyu
Running Time: 2 hrs. 28 min.
MPAA Rating: R for sequences of epic warfare.
Distributors: Magnolia Pictures
Official Website: RedCliffFilm.com
Photos: Not Available
Review: Red Cliff Review
Trailers: Red Cliff Trailer
