|
|
|
|
|
Abhorrent
|
|
|
Disturbing
|
|
|
Acceptable
|
|
|
Wholesome
|
|
+ + + + +
|
Exemplary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VA
|
For viewers of all ages
|
|
V13
|
For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance
|
|
V14
|
For viewers 14 and above
|
|
V18
|
For mature viewers 18 and above
|
|
NP
|
Not for public viewing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
BLADE OF THE ROSE
|
|
Running Time:
|
107 min.
|
|
Lead Cast:
|
Charlene Choi, Gillian Chung, Donnie Yen, Jaycee Chan, Edison Chen, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Qu Ying, Daniel Wu,
Jackie Chan
|
|
Directors:
|
Patrick Leung, Corey Yuen
|
|
Producers:
|
Albert Lee, Sung Li Qui, Suet Lam
|
|
Screenwriter:
|
Kin Chung Chan
|
|
Music:
|
|
|
Editor:
|
Cheung, Ka-Lai
|
|
Genre:
|
Action/Comedy/Adventure
|
|
Cinematography:
|
Chan, Chunyang
|
|
Distributor:
|
|
|
Location:
|
China
|
|
Technical Assessment:
|
• • ½
|
|
Moral Assessment:
|
+ + +
|
|
CINEMA Rating:
|
For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance
|
|
|
|
The story begins in ancient China when the cruel Queen Ya Ge (Qu Ying) rules a despotic regime
supported by fierce female warriors, the Amazons. She has made all men slaves and the people are clamoring for change awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecy that
foretells a boy will rise to become King and restore the male regime. A slab of stone is stolen from the palace which could reveal the identity of the future King and is
also a map to a hidden treasure. It falls into the hands of Charcoal Head (Jaycee Chan) and Peachy (Edison Chen), adopted sons of Master Blackwood (Tony Leung Ka Fai);
all traveling circus performers.
Char and Peachy decide to go after the hidden treasure and are joined by two female warriors: 13'th Young Master (Charlene Choi) and Blue Bird (Guillian Ching), who have ulterior motives of their own. The four embark on a journey which could bring them lots of adventures and challenges and into an encounter with General Lone AKA Crouching Tiger Dragon (Donnie Yen) and The Lord Armour (Jackie Chan). It would also lead them to the magic sword, Excalibur, and the revelation of the destined to be King. The King then leads the people to depose the evil Queen.
The movie has some great display of martial arts and the able support of a stellar cast
specially Tony Leung, Donnie Yen, Daniel Wu, Jackie Chan and others.
But it is not enough to prop up the wooden and uni-dimensional acting of Jaycee Chan, son of the great Jackie Chan. Perhaps, Jaycee should hone up his martial arts and or acting skills before doing another movie. Also the plot and story line are too loose and hodge-podge to be believable.
The movie revolves around the story of 2 sisters falling for the same man and the heart-broken
and betrayed sister seeking revenge.
The betrayed girl becomes Queen and embarks on a quest for attribution by decreeing that all men are to be slaves and love between the sexes prohibited. She has the power to turn her hatred for a particular man to men in general and a personal affront into a national one. This is a story that could not happen and will never happen in an advanced civilization like China. However, the moral of the story is relevant and could mean something to us here and now. An evil ruler plants the seed of his/her own destruction and like the evil Queen will suffer an ignoble and horrible end when the evil seeds she had planted will have bloomed. So, instead of hatred, lust for power and revenge, the road to peace and reconciliation is truth, justice and love.
(Date Reviewed: 23 September 2005)
|
|
|
|
