Last month, I managed to catch this hebat film in the cinemas with a bunch of my church friends.I didn't expect much from this film since most Chinese films are so-so and they rarely produce any movies that requires a huge budget or invested much in computer graphical animation. Some chinese movies are so cheap that when you watch them, you would be viewing too much familiar scenes when they run out of budget.Copy and paste (Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V) was that method to save cost. That's why most Chinese films are NOT supposed to be watched in a cinema unless you are expecting something good out of that movie (99% sure disappointing one) or you are too free and there's nothing to watch at the moment (must have the cash too).
What appealed me in watching this film was the actors that are involved in this movie.I always liked Andy Lau (wished to be like him, he never grows old even though he's the same age as my mum.Keng.Ju lai Ju En Tao) and Jet Li (for his martial arts moves, not for his acting skills..).The funny part was I didn't really took in consideration who directed the movie.Usually I would be picky on who the director is for a movie.If it's Johnnie To/Benny Lau/Stephen Chow/Wong sumthing sumthin.., then I'll be ok to watch it since they are quite creative and experienced in producing a worthy movie to be watched in a cinema.
However for this movie, I didn't quite bother who directed it because when I watched the trailer, "Hoh, got war wan.Like LotR.Must watch".Yeah, I know I'm easily conned but I like war flicks.Not because I like the violence there but I like story written for this kinda setting.Most of the time it teaches me to appreciate what I have now and boost the courage to defend the things that matters to me.Something like that.
As for The Warlords, I would rate it 5 out of 5!This epic movie does not only stresses on war alone but speaks much about life as well.The humanity of man is clearly depicted in this film that when I watched it, I felt that there's so much in common facts that happens today but just in a more subtle manner compared to the past.Why?Because in those times (around ancient China times), people reveal more in their actions without much 'hidden' actions but revealed them outwardly without self control. A few examples would be there was some junior soldiers in the army went to collect the spoils of war, they met up with a few civilian girls.Immediately what fills their minds is to gratify their hunger for sex after being deprived so long in war.They raped them on the spot.They treated these girls like the 'spoils of war' that they deserved to have.This scene indeed shows how barbaric a man can be when he's controlled by his emotions alone.There's no right and wrong.What makes him feel better is right, whatever makes him suffer is wrong.Everyone in those times did whatever that is right in their own eyes.(Familiar?Hmm..)
A person's values will determine his/her decisions in doing anything and they are influenced by their leaders that taught them these values.In the movie, in that same scene that I wrote about earlier, the junior soldiers were once thieves that was led by Andy Lau (Thief boss..sounds so MMORPGic..) who taught them to do whatever that makes them feel good instead of a proper understanding of what's right and what's wrong.When Jet Li decides to punish the junior soldiers, Andy Lau tried to reasoned with him but Jet Li stressed that they must hold on to a principal as soldiers,no longer thieves any more and soldiers protects the civilians not robbing them.In this scene, we see a sharp conflict in values between them but as of now, I would have agreed with Jet Li tho if I was given the choice to choose sides. Men who do everything according to their desires are no different from animals. The only difference that makes men and animal different from one another is that men have moral values and animals don't.Animals do as what their instinct tells them to do.If we are to do what our instinct tells us, then we are eligible of being animals instead.Forget about mankind.Welcome to the Planet of the Apes.
Another breath taking moment I enjoyed watching is when the 3 of them (Jet Li,Andy Lau,Takeshi) led a small army of 800 people or so and attacked a force that consists of 5000 soldiers (Sounds familiar?All war films are like that.Small number vs big number and the smaller number always wins..).There was a part when 3 of them along with their army was surrounded by the enemies and 3 of them sworn to take down as many soldiers possible as long as they have breath in their body.3 of them looked at each other and then had a battle cry to indicate that they will fight till the end.It's amazing to see people when they work together towards a common goal and they would not turn back until they drop dead.The unity that held them together was so marvelous that it moved me.
There was one particular controversial part which kept me thinking about who was right about their decisions.In this scene where the three blood brothers laid siege on the city of Su Zhou, that city was impenetrable.None could go in and none could go out due to the siege.This went on for 8 to 10 months and that left many soldiers starving in hunger.There was a rumor about a miracle worker inside that city that was able to produce piglets as food every single day and that's how the civilians and soldiers lasted behind those walls.Some of them was so caught up with such rumor that they sneaked into the city to look for food but none ever came back.Hunger and starvation fell upon the army of the three warlords.While Jet Li went back to the head quarters and begged for food rations, Andy Lau managed to sneaked into the city in attempt to capture the city by his own means.
When he was in there, he met up with the enemy's army commander who turned out to be one of his fellow gang member in the thief gang last time.The commander agreed with Andy Lau if he would release their soldiers, the city would gladly surrender.He paid the price with his life when he thrust his own blade into his chest.Andy Lau was shocked at his decision and took up that promise that he would release the enemy's soldiers plus providing them food rations. But when Jet Li reaches the scene, his first reaction was to kill all the enemy soldiers in fear that they would rebel against them.Plus these food rations are for his own fellow members that have been starving for months.He is not going to share these rations with the fellow enemies but Andy Lau tried to fulfill his promise to the fellow commander by giving them food.Both men were equally right in their stands.Both had their rational reasonings.Both was right at the same situation and time.Who was right and who was in the wrong?I was torn between the two. That is why there's the third party, Mr Takeshi, he had to place his vote on either one of them and he chose Jet Li because he was thinking for the whole army instead of siding with the enemies.Who would you support if you were in his place?
There is much to talk about in this film but I will stick to this one as my last point, the fall of man.In this film, it depicts how man is so prone to betray their buddies for the things that they love even to the point of death.The ugly face of men was shown throughout the film and these are facts of life.Every man has a price and he would do anything to attain what he wants.When one is in need, one doesn't mind what kind of situation he's in just as long as he have buddies alongside with him.When one gets a lil big headed, he would look on something further to please his desires instead of appreciating the things he had in front of him.When pride gets along the way of a man, that's it.It's the doom of all men when they think that they are 'God' in their lives and will subject to no one considering themselves to be impeccable in the sight of men.
I guess this is a lil too long for a movie review cuz I've been writing this for the past 8 days! hahaha..I was too busy and sleepy to get this updated and published due to the hectic schedule that I'm in now.Well hope you enjoy reading this and go watch this movie if you haven't watch it yet.God Bless
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