Viewer Comments:The Banquet
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Wasn't as great as I hoped it would be. The fight scenes were so so, not the best of Yuen Wo Ping but decent (except for the part where they executed the old guy in slow motion, which I found hilarious). Tthe acting is very good, but the ending seemed completely rushed and came out of the blue. Worth a rent, unless you're really into wuxia films.
I really enjoyed this movie even though it resembles "Curse of the Golden Flower". Very sensual and dark at times. Great performances by all.
-VF40457 (see my profile)
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This movie was aesthetically beautiful--the sets, the costumes, the movement was like watching an opera. The storyline was quite dramatic, and yet, the writer could have given a bit more detail in the storyline for an audience who might not have been able to follow the storyline involved in the dance and the action sequences. But overall was quite beautiful. Also reminded me a bit of "Curse of the Golden Flower". Also, I couldn't ignore its similarities to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet".
Now this is what "Curse Of The Golden Flower" shoulda' been minus the sketchy make-up. Totally engaging story, with just enough action, intrigue, and tragedy to satisfy.
The only things I didn't like: the extremely fake blood and the crappy make-up jobs. Other than that, very good movie.
Very beautiful to look at. A litle slow at some points and could have used more action. Still worth watching, particularly if you're familiar with "Hamlet".
I found this film to be self-indulgent and somewhat overwrought. However, it's perhaps one of the most beautiful Asian films ever committed to celluloid. I will view it again simply to get lost in the lushness of the visual experience. If "Curse Of The Golden Flower" was visually jarring and excessive, this is as smooth as silk. The acting, for the most part, is average, but the real crime was committed in the casting of the film. Daniel Wu is horribly miscast as the Hamlet-like prince, and Zhang Ziyi reprises her usual range of canned emotions. The fight sequences are well staged but not enough to offset the general tedium of the film. Like I said, buy it or view it for the look and feel of the film, otherwise, skip it.
Great costumes and production. Good storyline, but I wasn't able to get into any of the characters as they were all neutral based. The soundtrack is FANTASTIC. The fight scenes: so so. Didn't feel that my money was justified purchasing this DVD. A rental at that.
While some have criticized The Banquet for its running time of 131 minutes I found it in keeping with being a period piece.
Ziyi Zhang delivered a solid performance as usual as did the rest of the cast. This was a very good movie the predictable wire work was present but the fight choreography by Yuen Wo-Ping made it seem like ballet moves.
Those who disliked House of Flying Daggers and other recent wuxia films will probably dislike The Banquet but for fans of Ziyi Zhang (like myself) you won't be disappointed.
-Will Rushlow (see my profile)
One of the most beautiful movies you will ever see. The sets, the costumes, the entire film is stunning!!
| The setting is 10th century China after the fall of the once mighty T'ang Dynasty, but those familiar with the plays of William Shakespeare will find the plot evokes the storyline of Hamlet.
Daniel Wu plays Crown Prince Wu Luan, the Hamlet figure who seeks revenge against the uncle who now sits on his father's throne. Zhang Ziyi, who's become a staple of Chinese period films, plays the devious Empress Wan who secretly plots to seize ultimate power herself. The movies features some wire-driven swordplay action choreographed by the famous Yuen Wo Ping, but this is not really a kung fu movie and while the fight scenes aren't bad, I lean more toward realistic, feet on the ground combat than watching guys magically float from balcony to balcony. The real attraction for me is to be dazzled by the incredibly detailed sets...the carved doors, the statues, the furnishings, the court robes, and even the bizarre armor and masked helmets of the Imperial Guards, as well as to listen to the archaic dialogue and watch palace rituals unfold, all elements in transporting the viewer to a time long ago and thus escape from our everyday existence. Just seeing all that is almost worth the price of the purchase alone, but the acting is good and the music is hauntingly beautiful too. Anyway, if you're easily bored by watching a tale of palace intrigue and want non-stop kung fu, look elsewhere, but if you like lavish historical dramas, give this a try. |
This movie had good cinematography. Just okay fighting. But the story was boring. I was wondering why this did so well in Cannes, but I guess Cannes really likes movies with this type of artistic quality.
Visually stunning in every part of the eye. Masterful constructed choreographic fight scenes, and violent at times. Ziyi looks stunningly beautiful as usual. I already own two versions of the movie, and I suggest you do the same!!!!
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