27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning,exquisite and sumptous epic., June 10, 2001
This review is from: The Emperor's Shadow (DVD)
I was surprised at how little information there is about this movie.This stunning piece of work is definitely worth more international regconition. The Emperor of Qin (Ching Shi Huang Ti) is a very popular figure here in Asia and everyone knows him thru history classes and here, is one of my favourite movie on the depiction of Emperor Qin.(221-207 BC.)
I had always admire Jiang Wen , and his cute,playful,fiercesome and brutal protrayal of the emperor is wonderful. Ge You is also great and comical at times. Ge You have won the International film festival best actor award twice.One for "To Live" the other for "Keep Cool". Both movies by Zhang Yimou.
The movies includes epic warfare, love, betrayal, friendship, stubborness, punishment, executions, tortures and power. Anything you should expect from and ancient epic, is all here.
The relationship of the two men in this movie is complicated, fascinating and touching. Full of emotions and feelings.
The entire movie from the beginning to the end are filled with gorgeous image and unbelivable scenarios. The opening sequence left me absolutely Speechless. The middle sequences left me in awe and terror and the final sequences left me in tears. The Emperor's Shadow is a tremendous hit here in Asia.
There have been some US critics who down grade this film (not here, but other sites in the net). From what I've read, some doesnt understand the culture and the history and some are basically political minded. See the movie for yourself and you decide.
Trust me. We, here in Asia knows best.
We came from our ancient ancestors of The Xia dynasty - ca.2000-1800 BC thru Qin,Han,Xin,Genghiz Khan to Kublai Khan who formed the Yuan Dynasty, and built the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) and again thru Ming and finally Qing Dynasty (Empress Dowager Tsu Tzi /Aishin Goro Pu yi of Manchuria) to reach where we are in this modern world today 2001.
The Emperor's Shadow is visually sumptuous, with great cinematography and engaging history. Even if you are not a history fan. The movie can be enjoy via its visuals,ceremonies and scenery.
As an Asian, this gorgeous movie and various other movies based on ancient dynasties have given me a excellent cinematographic lessons about the lives of my ancient ancestors in the ancient past.
Beautiful and haunting
Genghiz
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, sweeping epic ..., May 8, 2003
This review is from: The Emperor's Shadow (DVD)
This is a surprisingly good and overlooked movie. I'm not altogether sure how historically accurate it is, but it does a fine job of depicting the brutality employed by the then ruling dynasty in order to unify China. It deftly weaves within this the intricate story of the emperor's love for his daughter and his childhood friend and their ill-fated love affair.
The acting is top notch, especially Jiang Wen's portrayal of the emperor. He convincingly conveys his cruelty while allowing us to believe the love he has for his daughter and childhood friend. I never question the conflict within him because his portrayal makes it believable.
Though the backdrops and sets seem almost muted compared to the larger-than-life emperor, this movie still manages to sweep you away in the stunningly lavish and rich scenery. The cinematography is top-notch.
The film is long but worth sitting through for a truly great film.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bow Wow!!, February 17, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Emperor's Shadow (DVD)
I don't know why this movie got bad reviews because I think it was wonderful. I just love that Bow Wow song and aside from the absolute guresome scenes of beheading done with ease like taking a coffe break the movie was awesome. I thought the characters were well developed and the river scene was great. That song just stayed in my head for days. I love movies about China but always have a box of tissue handy since they always have a tear jerker scene or two.
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