Blades of the Guardians Review: A Martial Arts Spectacle from Master Yuen Woo-ping
Blades of the Guardians, directed by the legendary fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, has recently soared to become the most successful wuxia film of all time at the Chinese box office. This impressive cinematic offering delivers a breathtaking spectacle, packed with epic set-pieces that prioritize physical effects over CGI, alongside a plethora of exquisitely choreographed fight scenes centered on swords, as the title aptly suggests.
Star-Studded Cast and Veteran Direction
Helmed by Yuen Woo-ping, renowned in Western circles for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Matrix series, and Kill Bill, the film showcases his unparalleled expertise. Asian audiences may hold him in even higher esteem for classics like Drunken Master and Iron Monkey. At the heart of the narrative is megastar Wu Jing, portraying Dao Ma, a soldier turned bounty hunter, whose career was launched by Yuen in the 1990s with Tai Chi Boxer.
The ensemble cast is bolstered by action-movie stalwarts such as Jet Li as a levitating evil general and Tony Leung Ka-fai as a noble father. Rising talents like popstar-actor Yu Shi as a bounty hunter and Chinese opera star Chen Lijun as a plucky princess skilled with a bow and arrow add fresh energy to the mix.
Plot and Action Highlights
Set during the medieval Sui dynasty and adapted from a popular comic book, the film's plot is a ridiculously tangled web of subplots. Wu Jing's Dao Ma travels the countryside with his young nephew Xiao Qi, accepting a mission to escort Zhishilang, a masked revolutionary advocating proto-Communist ideals but lacking combat prowess. Most characters either join or confront this traveling party, leading to dynamic interactions.
Action sequences are a standout feature, including a mass battle amidst a sandstorm and climactic fisticuffs against a burning city backdrop. Elements like earth, wind, and fire are vividly incorporated, though water serves more as a passive obstacle. While the martial arts displays are masterful, the interludes lack visual poetry, with moments like cherry blossoms splattered with blood feeling somewhat trite, and the musical score can be overwrought.
Audience Appeal and Release Details
Despite its narrative complexities, Blades of the Guardians excels in delivering pure entertainment, urging viewers to sit back and revel in the hullabaloo. Hardcore wuxia enthusiasts are unlikely to be deterred by the film's minor flaws, given its robust action core and stellar performances. The film is set to hit UK and Irish cinemas starting April 17, promising a thrilling experience for fans of the genre.
