Post by SamIAm on Aug 2, 2005 13:27:35 GMT -5
Source: SPCNET TV
Title: House of Flying Daggers
Author: sukting
URL: www.spcnet.tv/reviews/review.php?rID=603
Have excerpted the parts dealing primarily w/ TK.
Introduction on characters
2. Jin ? Takeshi Kaneshiro
Jin is a cheeky constable who doesn?t take things seriously. The way he projects the playboy image in the peony pavilion is a classic. When Jin rescues Xiao Mei, his true self shows when he inserts the flying daggers slowly into her hand. He is past caring of his own safety and becomes a gallant knight to get injured while saving her in the fields.
He has never been more handsome in here. Elegant, charming, sly, alert and agile, Takeshi fares well for his debut period movie. I marvel at his sparkling performance, how did he do it? His sharp features fit into the era surprisingly.
Interesting facts
Zi Yi never had intimate scenes comfortably on the bed. In ?Crouching tiger, hidden dragon?, she shot it with Zhang Zhen in a cave. In here, she shot it with Takeshi on the grass or among the flowers. Being intimate in the midst of escape is like portraying how wild animals will behave. Takeshi had no love experience and asked Yi Mou how to do it. Yi Mou didn?t know how to explain and blushed. But Takeshi ended up being too forceful on her and even tore her sleeve. She felt as if she was being raped and was in tears. When asked, he was also shy bout it ? if he did too little, she might say that he had not done his homework. If he was too rough, he would get complaints.
The bathing scene was supposedly romantic with Takeshi taking care of Zi Yi. But we had to face the harsh reality. The temperature was only 10 degrees. Zi Yi had to remove her clothes to bathe in the muddy and stinky water. After both finished the scene, they felt very cold.
Jokes flew at the Taiwan press conference at the renowned National Palace Museum. Zi Yi said Takeshi massaged her to keep her warm. He brought on laughter when asking her innocently where he had jabbed her. Their intimate scenes sparked talk because it had said that she felt really violated when he was too forceful on her during the shoot. Tak Wah also embraced her but he joked being the winner because he took 5 takes. Yi Mou said Takeshi has killer eyes that make him good for farewell scenes.
When asked who was better in intimate scenes, Zi Yi said both had a draw as both were perfect.
Yi Mou engaged 3 wushu experts to teach them in China, Japan and also Hong Kong. When they reached Oakland, it was October and the weather changed fast. Although it should be autumn time, it started snowing. To make it look convincing, the two used real sabers at 5 kg each. Thus they got injured instead. The pugilistic director, Cheng Hiu Dong added that it would look unreal using fake ones. However, Tak Wah?s strength wasn?t as great as Jin so he sometimes ended up injuring himself.
When asked on how Takeshi felt, his reply was he wanted to knock off early. The hitting and turning parts on the ground froze his arms and legs. Although he managed to create expressions, the cold temperature almost caused him to drop his jaw.
The mainland audience disliked Zi Yi to wear over revealing clothes and having too many seductive scenes. She had tried too hard to be sexy and was unprofessional in seductive scenes. But others felt that she deserved praise for having the most scenes in the movie. They found the sewing of the clothes magnificent. The half-dressed image when Xiao Mei was running away from enemies and the male disguise or the regaining sight scenes were outstanding ? although it seemed that she must reveal her shoulder in every scene.
Zi Yi spent 2 months with a blind girl who suffered from brain cancer to do many things with her in the dark. It wasn?t easy to feel around. There were 300 media reporters present when the cast promoted it in Korea. When asked what their unforgettable line was, Zi Yi answered for Takeshi jokingly. It must be ? ?I ask you to start touching from the head but you do it from the bottom instead.? Takeshi was shy and frowned ? actually it should be ?I am back because of a person?.
10 attractions
Takeshi can pull arrows with his left hand (some criticised that this move imitated Legolas?s fabulous shooting skill form ?Lord of the Rings?) and use the sabre using his right hand. Who doesn?t get impressed? Many were impressed by his outlook ? looking free and his eyes contain vulgar. Seeing him never missing any target on houseback or on ground was a pleasure.
He also got injured after falling from a horse in Ukraine before sending back to Japan for close observation. Who knows how hard he had worked? I must also comment that Zi Yi had also done an awesome job. Many were also impressed by his lust look at women ? so do I. This is sure a daring move. Especially in Zi Yi?s bathing scene in the lake!
The bamboo forest almost appear in every movie ? no exception here. Every bamboo can kill anytime. It required 10 sports stars to get the roles complete for the scene. Many loved the scene where Jin loves Xiao Mei. I like the qigong killing by the soldiers. Fascinating and intriguing to see them coming up and down!
The other fighting scenes are also eye-opening. The shots where Jin is supposedly to kill his men to win Xiao Mei?s trust are well-done. You will laugh upon seeing them lying by the lake or in the forest but when they move far, they start to stand and remove all his arrows from their bodies! However, when the real court officials are sent, he is forced to kill his own man. The anguish and reluctance is well depicted too.
Many felt the actors? voices should not be dubbed. Many knew that their Chinese dictation was undesirable as many knew their voices well. But to me, there is the necessity because Zi Yi and the rest speak with a Beijing accent. The guys? accents will go out of place.
The way that daggers and arrows fly impress me. Zi Yi handles the daggers with coolness. Whenever she places her hand on the daggers, her blind look still show determination. As for Takeshi, his cool aiming also shows how calm he is to target at his prey.
10 flaws
The scene that made all laughed the loudest was how Tak Wah and Takeshi fought because of one woman. The weather changed too fast. We only saw the autumn leaves and suddenly it snowed! This takes too much screen time (although I don?t mind but I am not sure for others) and is going against the nature. 90% was done by special computer effects. The duel was simply too long.
Yi Mou arranged the two actors? lines to be as refined as Gu Long?s style. Whenever Takeshi called himself Following Wind (Shui Feng) and cited that he returned because of a person. It didn?t give the touching feel but I nearly laughed till tears rolled down.
Tak Wah said the director gave him a lot of room to act. All doubt so and even thought that he was playing a supporting role. Liu?s 3 year love with Xiao Mei wasn?t mentioned clearly and used the undercover incident as a lame excuse. Yi Mou disagreed as without Liu, the story had no development. He loved and hated his lover to the extreme. But I doubt it. I heard someone saying that the only breakthrough was the rape scene ? isn?t this sad? Takeshi not only admired his talent in this area ? he also admired Tak Wah?s good stamina because he never huff and puff after running for a long time.
In the fugitive run, Jin requires the blind Xiao Mei to save him for so many times. If the Flying Dagger clan wants to kill him, why take so much trouble to save him and yet pushes him close to the grave? Is it that worth the effort to deceive only Jin while the others already know the answer or buddies well?
Ignoring the flaws above, Takeshi and Zi Yi build an authentic chemistry and a love story worth investing in starts. Her mix of steely resolve and girlish vulnerability serves her well. Takeshi looks every inch a natural born flirt who succumbs unexpectedly to love. Tak Wah as the unlucky third party to this love triangle does not fare as well. He is acting over the top. He has to struggle against the script?s constraints and limited screen time.
Sukting?s ratings :
On acting : **** (Scale of 5)
On story : ***(Scale of 5)
sukting's Rating: (Scale of 5)
Title: House of Flying Daggers
Author: sukting
URL: www.spcnet.tv/reviews/review.php?rID=603
Have excerpted the parts dealing primarily w/ TK.
Introduction on characters
2. Jin ? Takeshi Kaneshiro
Jin is a cheeky constable who doesn?t take things seriously. The way he projects the playboy image in the peony pavilion is a classic. When Jin rescues Xiao Mei, his true self shows when he inserts the flying daggers slowly into her hand. He is past caring of his own safety and becomes a gallant knight to get injured while saving her in the fields.
He has never been more handsome in here. Elegant, charming, sly, alert and agile, Takeshi fares well for his debut period movie. I marvel at his sparkling performance, how did he do it? His sharp features fit into the era surprisingly.
Interesting facts
Zi Yi never had intimate scenes comfortably on the bed. In ?Crouching tiger, hidden dragon?, she shot it with Zhang Zhen in a cave. In here, she shot it with Takeshi on the grass or among the flowers. Being intimate in the midst of escape is like portraying how wild animals will behave. Takeshi had no love experience and asked Yi Mou how to do it. Yi Mou didn?t know how to explain and blushed. But Takeshi ended up being too forceful on her and even tore her sleeve. She felt as if she was being raped and was in tears. When asked, he was also shy bout it ? if he did too little, she might say that he had not done his homework. If he was too rough, he would get complaints.
The bathing scene was supposedly romantic with Takeshi taking care of Zi Yi. But we had to face the harsh reality. The temperature was only 10 degrees. Zi Yi had to remove her clothes to bathe in the muddy and stinky water. After both finished the scene, they felt very cold.
Jokes flew at the Taiwan press conference at the renowned National Palace Museum. Zi Yi said Takeshi massaged her to keep her warm. He brought on laughter when asking her innocently where he had jabbed her. Their intimate scenes sparked talk because it had said that she felt really violated when he was too forceful on her during the shoot. Tak Wah also embraced her but he joked being the winner because he took 5 takes. Yi Mou said Takeshi has killer eyes that make him good for farewell scenes.
When asked who was better in intimate scenes, Zi Yi said both had a draw as both were perfect.
Yi Mou engaged 3 wushu experts to teach them in China, Japan and also Hong Kong. When they reached Oakland, it was October and the weather changed fast. Although it should be autumn time, it started snowing. To make it look convincing, the two used real sabers at 5 kg each. Thus they got injured instead. The pugilistic director, Cheng Hiu Dong added that it would look unreal using fake ones. However, Tak Wah?s strength wasn?t as great as Jin so he sometimes ended up injuring himself.
When asked on how Takeshi felt, his reply was he wanted to knock off early. The hitting and turning parts on the ground froze his arms and legs. Although he managed to create expressions, the cold temperature almost caused him to drop his jaw.
The mainland audience disliked Zi Yi to wear over revealing clothes and having too many seductive scenes. She had tried too hard to be sexy and was unprofessional in seductive scenes. But others felt that she deserved praise for having the most scenes in the movie. They found the sewing of the clothes magnificent. The half-dressed image when Xiao Mei was running away from enemies and the male disguise or the regaining sight scenes were outstanding ? although it seemed that she must reveal her shoulder in every scene.
Zi Yi spent 2 months with a blind girl who suffered from brain cancer to do many things with her in the dark. It wasn?t easy to feel around. There were 300 media reporters present when the cast promoted it in Korea. When asked what their unforgettable line was, Zi Yi answered for Takeshi jokingly. It must be ? ?I ask you to start touching from the head but you do it from the bottom instead.? Takeshi was shy and frowned ? actually it should be ?I am back because of a person?.
10 attractions
Takeshi can pull arrows with his left hand (some criticised that this move imitated Legolas?s fabulous shooting skill form ?Lord of the Rings?) and use the sabre using his right hand. Who doesn?t get impressed? Many were impressed by his outlook ? looking free and his eyes contain vulgar. Seeing him never missing any target on houseback or on ground was a pleasure.
He also got injured after falling from a horse in Ukraine before sending back to Japan for close observation. Who knows how hard he had worked? I must also comment that Zi Yi had also done an awesome job. Many were also impressed by his lust look at women ? so do I. This is sure a daring move. Especially in Zi Yi?s bathing scene in the lake!
The bamboo forest almost appear in every movie ? no exception here. Every bamboo can kill anytime. It required 10 sports stars to get the roles complete for the scene. Many loved the scene where Jin loves Xiao Mei. I like the qigong killing by the soldiers. Fascinating and intriguing to see them coming up and down!
The other fighting scenes are also eye-opening. The shots where Jin is supposedly to kill his men to win Xiao Mei?s trust are well-done. You will laugh upon seeing them lying by the lake or in the forest but when they move far, they start to stand and remove all his arrows from their bodies! However, when the real court officials are sent, he is forced to kill his own man. The anguish and reluctance is well depicted too.
Many felt the actors? voices should not be dubbed. Many knew that their Chinese dictation was undesirable as many knew their voices well. But to me, there is the necessity because Zi Yi and the rest speak with a Beijing accent. The guys? accents will go out of place.
The way that daggers and arrows fly impress me. Zi Yi handles the daggers with coolness. Whenever she places her hand on the daggers, her blind look still show determination. As for Takeshi, his cool aiming also shows how calm he is to target at his prey.
10 flaws
The scene that made all laughed the loudest was how Tak Wah and Takeshi fought because of one woman. The weather changed too fast. We only saw the autumn leaves and suddenly it snowed! This takes too much screen time (although I don?t mind but I am not sure for others) and is going against the nature. 90% was done by special computer effects. The duel was simply too long.
Yi Mou arranged the two actors? lines to be as refined as Gu Long?s style. Whenever Takeshi called himself Following Wind (Shui Feng) and cited that he returned because of a person. It didn?t give the touching feel but I nearly laughed till tears rolled down.
Tak Wah said the director gave him a lot of room to act. All doubt so and even thought that he was playing a supporting role. Liu?s 3 year love with Xiao Mei wasn?t mentioned clearly and used the undercover incident as a lame excuse. Yi Mou disagreed as without Liu, the story had no development. He loved and hated his lover to the extreme. But I doubt it. I heard someone saying that the only breakthrough was the rape scene ? isn?t this sad? Takeshi not only admired his talent in this area ? he also admired Tak Wah?s good stamina because he never huff and puff after running for a long time.
In the fugitive run, Jin requires the blind Xiao Mei to save him for so many times. If the Flying Dagger clan wants to kill him, why take so much trouble to save him and yet pushes him close to the grave? Is it that worth the effort to deceive only Jin while the others already know the answer or buddies well?
Ignoring the flaws above, Takeshi and Zi Yi build an authentic chemistry and a love story worth investing in starts. Her mix of steely resolve and girlish vulnerability serves her well. Takeshi looks every inch a natural born flirt who succumbs unexpectedly to love. Tak Wah as the unlucky third party to this love triangle does not fare as well. He is acting over the top. He has to struggle against the script?s constraints and limited screen time.
Sukting?s ratings :
On acting : **** (Scale of 5)
On story : ***(Scale of 5)
sukting's Rating: (Scale of 5)
