Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding, December 28, 2006
This movie succeeds where "The Promise" failed. It's headed by who's who of China's movie industry and the production value of "the Banquet" is truly exemplary. It's unfortunate that the fundamental of the movie is divulged by reviewers, of it based on Hamlet. Personally, it would have been better seeing this movie not knowing what to expect and as the end credit roles, & as we put the pieces together, that's where we get maximum value out of this movie. For those that are looking for no-nonsense martial arts movie (normally starred by someone as Jet Li), "The Banquet" is no "Fearless". This movie is verging towards arty farty movie with extensive choreography upon the fighting moves which resemble more like a dance, dance of doomed lovers. Abstract would be a word to describe the fighting sequence. Other than that, "The Banquet" is a character-driven movie which focuses upon lust, betrayal, loyalty, family, power, greed, love, innocence's lost. I have to say that Chinese movie is gradually finding its own feet in the Western market & no longer it stereotypes itself churning out picture perfect movies or martial art movies glorified by Quentin Tarantino in "Kill Bill 1& 2" but rather, quality movies that make you think & unashamedly captivate your attention. There's nothing wrong for the Chinese to copy Shakespeare's story. In fact, hasn't Hollywood modernises Shakespeare's stories themselves to make them relevant to younger generations? Hasn't the Koreans done well by making its own take of the "Dangerous Liasons", which Hollywood made almost twenty years ago, which it copied from the French anyway? At the end of the day, that's what art is all about. As Picasso said himself, great artists steal ideas whilst amateur artists reproduce originals! Highly recommended.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great adaptation of Hamlet, December 25, 2006
When I first saw Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" a decade ago, I was shocked by the screen imagery painted by that legendary director. At first I didn't like it, but after two viewings, I came to love it. Same with "The Banquet." At first it seems strange, with production and character designs quite unfamiliar to this connoiseur of Asian cinema, but it soon grew on me. This is Hamlet-inspired, no doubt, which is a good thing as the story is not going to confuse most Westerners. The set design is quite powerful, as is the cinematography, but it's really the characters that deliver the power of the film. I always like Ziyi and she does a fine job as the queen here. I think this is one of those experimental films that you either love or hate. I like it a lot, and think it's a worthy movie to watch for anyone into real movies (i.e., not the Hollywood trash we're bombarded with each year).
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a very fulfilling cinematic experience!, December 31, 2006
This film was a wonderful display by a director at the height of his powers. The nuanced performances, beautiful yet realistic sets, intriguing and thoughtful cinematography, and a powerful control over the pacing and the rhythm of the film were simply unforgettable. I felt like watching the film again right after it finished. At many times it reminded me of Kurosawa's "Ran" (another Shakespeare adaptation), especially by the chamber drama aspects present in "The Banquet". It will not be everyone's cup of tea, to be sure, especially those who expect to see a martial arts film, which this is not; or those who expect a literal adaptation (or those possesed by semantics...)...but if you can enjoy a slower-paced film that takes its time building intricately nuanced characters and deep psychological studies, then this is the film for you. Very highly recommended.
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