Years before the likes of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON breathed new popularity into Chinese cinema, films such as MOON WARRIORS were championed in the east and pretty much missed in the west. It's a shame, because MOON WARRIORS pretty much whups the backside of Ang Lee's movie in every respect; it's a pacier film, better shot and more interesting, with brighter performances and typically wonderful direction from Sammo Hung. While the plot is familiar stuff – some nonsense about an exiled king and his evil brother – this film's strength lies in the execution, which is second to none.
Brightly coloured and vibrant throughout, MOON WARRIORS is a gorgeous film to watch and it helps that the cast members all give very good turns. I was particularly pleased to see the underrated Andy Lau in the film (the most interesting actor in HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS), as he's cast as the heroic lead here and he gives a very good turn. In fact, almost all the actors are good, especially Anita Mui as the love interest. The exception is Maggie Cheung, whom I just find to be irritating no matter what film she appears in.
In terms of action, this is a decent film with many satisfying set-pieces. The opening ninja attack in the bamboo forest is classic stuff, and it's followed up by some engaging combat that makes full use of wire work for effect without looking stupid. Sammo knows his stuff and, combined with the input of Corey Yuen, this is a film in which the action always satisfies. There's also a few choice special effects, including the amusing bit where a severed head is shot by a burning arrow and some other gory instances. Andy Lau provides some comedy as the simpleton villager turned king's saviour, and I even enjoyed his FREE WILLY-style interludes with a peaceful whale that he has adopted as a pet (although the whale's intervention at the climax is a very predictable one). All said and done, MOON WARRIORS is a fun film that's difficult to dislike and, despite a few slow spots in the second half, I had a ball with it.
Brightly coloured and vibrant throughout, MOON WARRIORS is a gorgeous film to watch and it helps that the cast members all give very good turns. I was particularly pleased to see the underrated Andy Lau in the film (the most interesting actor in HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS), as he's cast as the heroic lead here and he gives a very good turn. In fact, almost all the actors are good, especially Anita Mui as the love interest. The exception is Maggie Cheung, whom I just find to be irritating no matter what film she appears in.
In terms of action, this is a decent film with many satisfying set-pieces. The opening ninja attack in the bamboo forest is classic stuff, and it's followed up by some engaging combat that makes full use of wire work for effect without looking stupid. Sammo knows his stuff and, combined with the input of Corey Yuen, this is a film in which the action always satisfies. There's also a few choice special effects, including the amusing bit where a severed head is shot by a burning arrow and some other gory instances. Andy Lau provides some comedy as the simpleton villager turned king's saviour, and I even enjoyed his FREE WILLY-style interludes with a peaceful whale that he has adopted as a pet (although the whale's intervention at the climax is a very predictable one). All said and done, MOON WARRIORS is a fun film that's difficult to dislike and, despite a few slow spots in the second half, I had a ball with it.