| Gu Long Wuxia adaptation with all the bells and whistles that a 2000 production can offer. Premiered at the Lunar New Year and with successful director Andrew Lau (The Storm Riders) at the helm of yet another fantasy romp, of course The Duel would rake in the money. Plus it has the excuse of playing during a time where commercialism rule and therefore its shortcomings feels a little less offensive than they probably should. Still, Andrew Lau's attempt at heartfelt emotions, CGI enhanced Ching Siu-Tung action, mo lei tau comedy and a twisting narrative in the tradition of these Wuxia novels is largely a flat effort. Nick Cheung desperately tries to evoke the comedic chops of Stephen Chow but instead presents a highly forced and unfunny act. Ching Siu-Tung's action would've been a nice throwback to the new wave of the 90s had it not been for the added CGI that doesn't make the choreography fly and Andrew Lau again proves why cinematographers often make poor storytellers. But who am I to complain when the Lunar New Year output isn't supposed to be better than this anyway...
Reasonably clever hints to the modern era and Andy Lau bringing presence that will kick and scream long after he's gone are positives in Lau's big budget frame however. Also with Ekin Cheng, Norman Tsui, Jerry Lamb, Elvis Tsui, David Lee, Patrick Tam and Vicky Zhao. |
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