Summer Reviews: The Lost Bladesman & Thor

The Lost Bladesman
Score: 7/10

Guan Yu, one of the most valued heroes and generals in Chinese history, lived from about AD160 to AD220 during the final years of the Han dynasty in eastern China. With magnificent fighting skill, bravery, loyalty and righteousness, he even became a deity that worshipped in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. His titles include Prince, Duke, Marquis and finally the posthumous title of "Saintly Emperor Guan the Great God who Subdues Demons of the Three Worlds and Whose Awe Spreads Far and Moves Heaven". This title was later shortened to "Saint of War" and there is said to be a statue of him in both police stations and triad member gathering places, as Guan Yu represents the values that both the high society and the underworld of China revere. This summer, a bit of General Guan Yu's life story is brought to the screen by duo screenwriter/director Alan Mak and Felix Chong whose first script together was the iconic crime thriller, “Infernal Affairs” a decade ago. And as one popular characters of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, Guan Yu actually can be spotted in John Woo’s "Red Cliff" films but he was less mentioned in those films. So, “The Lost Bladesman” is definitely his time to shine especially with the industry's current heavyweight champ, Donnie Yen, on board as both the main star and action director. Loosely adapted from “Guan Yu Crossing Five Passes And Slaying Six Generals” in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, the film looks at Guan's life, nobility and bravery from the perspective of Cao Cao (Jiang Wen), who has mixed emotions about Guan. On one hand, he is fearful of Guan's bravery and fame. But he also admires him and is the one who truly understands him. The story also mainly centers on the chapter in Guan's life when he is held captive by Cao and has to make a perilous journey to escort his master Liu Bei's family home, known popularly as crossing five passes and slaying six generals. Therefore, although Guan was sacred by Chinese people for his great qualities, Mak and Chong try to present him as a very different and far more human character in the movie. Guan has a hidden love and unspeakable romance for Qi Lan (Betty Sun), the wife of Guan's master and sworn brother Liu Bei. The hero is also an ordinary man with true emotions, weaknesses and romantic links with women.

The combination of talents and celebrated historical tale makes the film one of the big attractions of Chinese film this year, but it's hugely ambitious, just like John Woo's “Red Cliff”, for example, in which the problems of scale limit the film's clarity and its emotional power. To the film's credit, each action sequence is handled in a different style, with one taking place in a narrow, curved corridor, another literally behind closed doors, and the climax in a misty forest. But those who looking for hand-to-hand combat style ala Ip Man may be left wanting, as Yen mostly choreographed the fight scenes with a variety of weapon including Guan Yu’s guan dao spear (a weapon which was subsequently named after him) this time out. Featuring much of Guan Yu personality on his loyalty as well as his pure innocent/straight forward characteristic, Yen delivers a good portrayal of the Great General and manages some signature moves, like when he exercises his weapon and the way he waves his beard. His fights are rapid, ingenious and exciting to watch but some who grew up reading/listening stories of Guan Yu would find it weird on how big and muscular the real character was while in the movie, Yen’s much more of a smaller sized version.
The most standout acting performance in the film is again from Chinese prolific actor Jiang Wen (Let the Bullets Fly), who portrays Cao vividly as an ambitious hero although his image in ancient China has often been negative, being portrayed as the ambitious and dishonorable figure and despised by righteous people. But Jiang Wen’s portrayal of Cao Cao is intelligent, hardworking and at times likable. His admiration for Guan Yu is explicitly shown, and it is Jiang Wen’s Cao Cao who often delivers most of the dramatic lines that adds an intelligent flair to the movie.
In the ending plot, however, there’s an error of throwing out too many twists, which added to the puzzlement. It takes several afterthoughts to shape out what actually came about, which dilutes to the whole message of the film.

Thor
Score: 8/10

In his first feature directorial role in four years and first comic adaptation superhero movie, it seems British director Kenneth Branagh already did a good job of striking a balance between magic and science, especially when it’s about Thor, a superhero who exists in two very different realms. As the director for “Thor”, Branagh also had his work cut out for him. He had the responsibility of not only conversing the comic series to the big screen but also introducing some moviegoers not familiar with this Marvel property that does have a profound vision and cosmic side to its universe. Fortunately, Branagh was just the correct filmmaker to launch this mission. The actual story itself is pretty damn good to be honest, it’s much better than all the early negative buzz. While it’s not perfect, not by a long shot but it’s a blast of a summer entertainment and has a genuine star-making turn at it’s heart from Chris Hemsworth as Thor. In addition, both Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, and Earth realms are also done really well. The Asgardian look completely amazing and epic but some scenes set in this realm are also a bit too serious, too Shakespearean. However, since Branagh can make Shakespearean stuff exciting, therefore “Thor” manages to mix Shakespearean style family intrigue and betrayal with top notch action sequences and flawless CGI. Thankfully also, this isn’t an origin story. When the story begins Thor is already Thor; there’s no tedious set up to show how the Asgardians came to be. And it’s the human characters who need to learn about the superhero but the moviegoers get the fully powered Thor, flying about and smashing Frost Giants up. Another smart stuff that Branagh and his scripting team have done is that they layered the movie with proper lines that attach “Thor” to the other Marvel movies. All the way through we get references to “Iron Man”, “Incredible Hulk” even the forthcoming “Captain America” and “Avengers” that definitely provide its audience the idea that all these characters exist in the same world.
The actors of the movie also deserve much credit, especially Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, who play Thor and Loki respectively. Hemsworth and Hiddleston carry “Thor” on their shoulders and do so superbly. For all their parts the supporting cast, Antony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Idris Elba, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson and Tadanobu Asano are all strong, too. Stellan Skarsgard and Kat Dennings play more of a way to insert some comic relief into the story, and they’re able to do a good job with their roles. There does come a point in this film where the narrative turns a bit common and predictable, but the first half is so brawny that it’s a pardonable blemish. Yet the movie’s ending brings us back to the family story with a fascinating conclusion.