Warlords - 2007

Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro, three of Asia's biggest, brightest and best actors together on screen in a historical epic. Frankly, I can't see whats not to like. And thankfully I wasn't disappointed. The film started slow, and felt a little melodramatic, with the acing not quite up to the high standard one might expect. Gradually though, the film begins to find its feet, and with the aid of some truly dazzling, blood thirty and cinematic fight sequences, the story cements itself and the actors begin to enjoy there dramatic thesping. Thankfully though none of the actors ever try to compete, Jet Li handles the weight of his character with more confidence and conviction than any film I've previously seen, and Andy Lau is as magnetic and captivating as he is House of Flying Daggers and Infernal Affairs. Takeshi Kaneshiro, plays the lesser of three part but gives his performance so much emotional substance that he never feels second fiddle to the heavyweights.
The story is also captivating. A tale of the desire for peace, through action, which ultimately causes destruction and death. One scene in particular sees Li's General order the massacre of some 4000 enemy troops, who have surrendered. His argue forces a rift between the heroes, but his logic is sound. Posing a compelling argument. Inevitably though, the characters desire for peace both for themselves and their men leads to their downfall. Going against the greater powers of the empire, leads the men down a path into darkness, and despite their bravery and valour, politics ultimately undermines their hopes.
As is always the case in film of this nature, the heroes are given stunning death scenes, and the emotional wallop again veers into melodrama. But the film is so brilliantly performed, shot beautifully and for the most handled with care and a cinematic eye, that such dalliances are forgiven, if not entirely forgotten.