Customer Reviews

Peking Opera Blues

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of Tsui Hark's best early films from the 1980s when he was just getting on a fantastic roll. Yes, this is cornball. Yes, it is unpolished with a capital U. However, it is the main film that started the incredible period classic action comedy format that Tsui Hark and Hong Kong does best. The other thing that makes this such an enjoyable movie is these three excellent actresses in a movie together. This is one of Brigitte Lin's best roles. It is also very rare for three women to all play strong lead roles with no male hero. This is simply wonderful. The action is paced fast, and the comedy sprinkled in nicely.
This movie is the sleeper of the century. It will be famous in a hundred years, but right now it is forgotten by many. I cant believe they let such a gem go OOP. There may be other versions still available. The Deltamac is an identical print to the rare Megastar Media Asia.

"Peking Opera Blues" gets three stars mainly due to a heightened excitement at the end, but lacking a strong introduction. There was something exciting about this film within the final thirty minutes, but this film had to be watched during the day. Evening viewings made me sleepy, thus forcing to re-watch the beginning four to five times. This was a challenging film, with intense action and sexual innuendo, it was groundbreaking for the late 80s, but it just didn't have a voice. I don't think I could watch this film again. It was exciting, just not excitable. Remember - there was a cross-dressing woman randomly placed, jackets can block a barrage of bullets, and jewels do not a plot make.