Red Cliff [DVD]

There are several different versions of this product, and since Amazon are lumping reviews of all of them into one, a word of explanation. This is a review of the single disc dvd edition of this movie that was released in 2009. It is not a review of the two disc special edition, which came later. Nor of the blu ray. Thus apologies if you're reading this on the special edition or the blu ray page, but there's nothing I can do about it. Take it up with Amazon.This is a movie made by chinese Director John Woo, who went to hollywood after a lot of success in Asia. And had varying successes with movies whilst in the USA.He then returned to his native land to produce a very long tv mini series all about a famous battle from chinese history.That runs nigh on five hours. And was cut to two hours twenty seven minutes for it's release in the west.This is that version.The full version can be found on  Red Cliff [Special Edition DVD] [2008 ]Red cliff sees a nasty Prime Minister having seized control of most of the country via military victories. And via treating the emperor like a puppet. Some in the south are holding out against him. And he sets out to defeat them on the field of battle.Those on opposite sides of this battle have a few vested personal interests, though.And even though those in the south are greatly outnumbered, they have a very skilled strategist on their side. They won't go down without a fight.An epic conflict is about to begin, and China will never be the same again....This was clearly a very expensive production, and the attention to historical detail and costumes is excellent. The battle scenes don't pull their punches and also try hard to be realistic, almost all of them never defying the laws of physics.It also considers the cost of war, as seen via an early scene involving refugees.When there's spectacle on screen it is compelling viewing, thanks to a couple of big set pieces. But there are a lot of characters most of whom don't get much of an introduction. So you may not focus on them as much as you might want to.It offers good entertainment all in all if you like this kind of thing, but hearing of the longer edition makes you feel that that is the one to really watch.This disc also has a couple of problems in that it begins with fifteen minutes worth of trailers for other movies. And there is absolutely no way to get past them. Pressing stop then menu. Or pressing next. Or menu on it's own. None of those work. Nor does does fast forward. You have to wait through the lot.The movie is presented in Chinese - save for a couple of early bits of scene setting narration which are in English - with English subtitles. Which is fine, and probably the way most who watch this kind of thing would prefer it. But the subtitles cannot be turned on or off. They are embedded into the film. And they are in a slightly smaller typeface than usual for things like this. Reading them can be tricky at times early on. Although you do get used to them in the end.

I have to start with the fact this blu ray has magnificent quality! it was my first blu ray and i definatly dont regret this buy!But as for the movie! well there isnt a single sentence to sum up this movie! for me this is now right up there in the top 10 movies of all time! definatly around #4! the acting is superb! very believeable! its not often you come across such an epic asian movie but this is beyond my expectations!This movie is based on the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and while it does follow the storyline to the exact detail there are some things that they have changed which i assume is to make it more dramatic and movie like! Tony Leung played his role as Zhou Yu perfectly and caught the very essence of Zhou Yu! and as for Takeshi Kaneshiro playing the great mastermind Zhuge Liang! it was such a delight watching this man in the movie, he is amazingly brilliant and again playing the character perfectly to the last detail! and my last favourite character was Nakamura Shido as Gan Xing! a funny yet hardened character in the movie! also playing the character perfectly!Even if your not a fan of these kinds of movies i would still reccomend it! i would even go as far as to say it is at some points a bit of a tear jerker! It is so fun watching this movie! I didnt even really notice it was a subtitled movie because i was so engrossed by it! it has fighting, gore, romance and intense relationships between friends/brothers/family! i hope John Woo creates another masterpiece such as this based around the warring states period! i simply cant stress this enough, BUY THIS BLUE RAY! YOU WONT REGRET IT! EPIC MOVIE! 10/10 oh and by the way, to those of you against "flying people" ITS A METAPHORE!

This is the Special Edition of "Red Cliff", and by that, read "Extended Edition" - nearly 5 hours!The film is split in two to what I believe is the 2 original Chinese releases of this this, which was eventually contracted into one very long film for a Western audience.The film itself is amazing, with a plethora of varied characters which, to the unobservant Western eye, can be a little confusing to follow sometimes!Who exactly are the lieutenants and who are the generals? A 2nd watch of this film clarified things (but that's no hardship!).And the way the characters interact is great - Sun Shiangxiang and the innocent Piggy being one pairing, and the battle of wits between the two advisors, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, to out-do eachother is brilliant.The plot follows a bunch of rebels who join together with the Southern king against the Prime Minister of the North, who has plans of his own, aided by the largest army and navy that has ever been assembled. After a few skirmishes and clever planning, all the forces eventually gather at "Red Cliff" for a final showdown.Some may complain that the film is too long (being in two parts and all), but this really means that the film is filled with great depth and characterisation. The importance of the tea ceremony, and the tiger hunt have great symbolism with the actions of the rest of the film.The only negatives I'd have would be the CGI in the second half of the film. I know the battle is meant to be hundreds of thousands big, but Lord of the Rings detail this isn't. You can tell its a bit computer. But don't let that deter you from what is otherwise an amazing film!There is individual warrior scenes a la Crouching Tiger/Hero, but also large battle scenes, so plenty to whet the appetite. A must of Chinese cinema!

John Woo's Magnum Opus.. he said that his dream was to one day make an Epic like David Lean.. this is it! Equivalent in Scale & Scope to Lord Of The Rings.