|
|
EDITOR'S PICK
'Dragon
Blade' - A Chinese torture, lost in translation (IANS Movie Review)
Rating:
**
With fine costumes, brilliant background score that has a mix of Oriental and
Arabic music, good cinematography and razor-fine edits, 'Dragon Blade' glitters
in its high quality production values -- but unfortunately fails to lure the
audience owing to its poor narrative and dubbing.
This Chinese film, 'inspired by true events' that occurred circa 48 BC, is an
action-packed epic drama that showcases the heroic deeds of a Chinese General in
rebuilding and destroying the lost city of Regvm on the Silk Route.
The film bookends with present day narration of two researchers discovering the
lost city, and soon we are transported to the long lost era, when China was
under the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty, where the strategic location
of the city on the Silk Route had 36 tribal nations vying for dominance.
By weaving a few historical characters and unrelated events, the tale soon
recounts the adventures of Huo An (Jackie Chan), the Chinese General of the Silk
Route Protection Squad and his bromance with Lucius (John Cusack), the Roman
general who is fleeing eastwards to protect his young ward, the blinded heir
Publius (Jozef Waite), from his brother, the evil Consul Tiberius (Adrien
Brody), who is now tracking them with his vast army.
Huo An offers help, rounding up support from the surrounding tribes and setting
up a climactic stand-off between Tiberius' mighty army and a united force of
Silk Route residents.
The narration is packed with frequent high-pitched, well-choreographed action
sequences which include a mix of Kungfu style Chinese martial arts and battle
manoeuvres of the various ethnic tribes.
While the tale is of an epic stature, about the lost city -- how it was
reconstructed in 15 days only to be soon destroyed again -- the screenplay has
invested much time in the personal relationship of the characters and the finale
is more of a simulation of the event.
Also, with a mix of Chinese martial arts and battle manoeuvres of the various
ethnic tribes layered like an over-buttered sandwich, the narration gets soggy.
Chan's Huo An is a nice, likeable buddy character, one with an edge over his
comrades.
With ample footage in action and emotional scenes, it is one of the best
characters Chan has portrayed in recent years. He shares an amiable rapport with
John Cusack and their onscreen chemistry is palpable. This is evident during the
second act, just after their initial clash when they exchange life philosophies,
fighting techniques and even architectural suggestions.
Cusack as the loyal Lucius, and Lin Peng as the wild Uyghur warrior Cold Moon,
who considers herself betrothed to Huo An according to folk laws, are pleasantly
appealing and their performances stand out among the other A-listers.
In contrast, Jozef Waite's immature Publius and Adrien Brody's villainous
portrayal of Tiberius seem contrived.
Dubbed in several languages, the English version is like the tedious journey of
the Romans. Sitting through it is Chinese torture. The essence of the film seems
to have got lost in translation.