MovieChat Forums > Qi jian (2005) Discussion > Your reaction after this masterpiece end...

Your reaction after this masterpiece ended.

posted 18 years ago by unmadebed
185 replies | jump to latest

The credits rolling, music playing and I was just sitting there silent, but with an expression and impression as if some train was about to crush me, because I felt like at this very moment my life is gonna abruptly change. It is already in my top 10, but I must admit that since its premiere last year I saw it only once, because I still don‘t need to watch it again, this film practically gave me that what 200 other films did. Well, when I’m thinking about it now, probably no other film did the same. This film is still blowing me away in my memory.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] HKblues 18 years ago

That's pretty much close to mine. Maybe it was not those 200 films this jewel contained, but it was quite a summary of all the best elements of every martial arts classic in history. This is something Shaw Bothers never thought can be done as a martial arts film: It's a true very demanding art film that's capable to entertain, be remembered and be extremely relevant to its roots. Great new-wave wuxia film that's really worthy to be called a REAL masterpiece.

On a side note. I just cant stand who ever gave this a one vote on this site, If you did give this a one, you are horribly shallow and probably quite dim-witted and thats all i can say, if your gonna respond and say oh its my opinion and all that crap, save it! because God may have given you an opinion and its a very narrow-minded one, and its my God given right to think your stupid so there is my opinion on that!!!!REMEMBER THIS WAS NOT A MOVIE TO ENTERTAIN YOU AND ONE THAT YOU WATCH OVER AN OVER WITH YOUR FRIENDS, ITS PURPOSE WAS TO SEND A MESSAGE AND ENLIGHTEN US ON THE STRONG MORALITY THAT CAN HELP US TO SURVIVE IN THIS NEW MILLENIUM!

I must appaud you, Orpheus. Extremely true, and to the point. This is definitely what this film is about.

As for me, I thought... Wow, the wuxia that can also be deep and highly spiritual?! Which explained why it was not universally admired. lol. On contrary that seems as a very good sign. In order to be successful one has to be usually very superficial and direct. This is not direct at all, it’s a very bumpy ride with holes that lead into your heart and let you thinking for the film.

[–] taliban-4 18 years ago

MASTERPIECE!

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

Don't get mad. I know a lot of people like this movie and the previous guy even called it a "MASTERPIECE". This movie was OK, but definitely not a MASTERPIECE. I personally thought it was just too long. The plot gets too jumbled at one point. Characters don't get enough screen time. Some of the action sequences are great and them some just get choppy and sloppy (I blame the editing for that). I was anticipating an ending like ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA but instead got DOUBLE TEAM. It's flawed but still OK.

[–] revolution21 18 years ago

The previous guy is absolutely crazy! Double Team? you must be mad!! This undeniable true "masterpiece" is ten times better than even Seven Samurai for God's sake!! The ending of this film left me absolutely speechless and one of the best i seen in my life. The editing is postmodern and innovative, not choppy or what. The characters don't need so much screentime. It's perfect!

[–] fallenangels 18 years ago

I felt rather the same way... This film is possibly the best film ever made, certainly the best asian movie I have ever seen...this is undoubtedly Seven Samurai of the new generation...But i really want to avoid drawing some comparisons as these two films are totally different and don’t try to copy each other. But one thing is for sure, this IS a masterpiece with one of the most unforgettable majestic endings in the history of Chinese cinema!

[–] stones11 18 years ago

I was extremely impressed when the film ended, i felt that i saw something very important, something what will be followed later on. Though, i don't believe it's "ten times" better than Seven Samurai, but it's out of question on the same level of the genre importance. But if i recall, my first reaction was that it's certainly Tsui Hark's very best film. His Once Upon a Time in China was never so exhaustively emotional and meaningful film to the human nature. I don't remember i ever cried during OUTIC either. This is quite an extreme here.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] vincent12342000 18 years ago

Have to agree with leajohn_vang. Film is OK at best, some very nice fight scenes and some fairly run of the mill ones too....

There are long sequences where nothing is happening, story is very thin e.g. big thing made about this person who was a traitor giving up their location and then it turns out to be someone who hasn't been in the story at all really.
Also parts in it that can only be there for the sake of a par 2 i.e the unbeatable sword found in desert.

[–] adreamy 18 years ago

Wow, some tool here saw duble team in this film. LOL. That quite put me on the floor. I don't know about others, but just like the director said himself, the meaningful ending was the best part of the film, and it looked to me more like from Stagecoach or Kagemusha than duble team.

Exactly my feelings. Lol.

Seven Swords was a real masterpiece, and in my opinion the best movie i've ever seen in my life, period.

vincent.. the fact is that there's not such a problem with the film, but more with folks like you and such simple minded perceptions. In such case, one really has to only admit that you didn't understand it.

Those "nothing is happening sequences" are actually the core of the film. Not the fight scenes. Lol.

Also parts in it that can only be there for the sake of a par 2 i.e the unbeatable sword found in desert.

LOL. Not true! far from that.

big thing made about this person who was a traitor giving up their location and then it turns out to be someone who hasn't been in the story at all really.

Why he should've been. Sorry, but all this quite convinced me that you didn't know what you were watching.

[–] Tech885 18 years ago

I thought some of the action parts should had been cut out. After all, this is a wuxia, not some action film! But that's probably the only flaw, otherwise it's one of the most innovative films ever. I think it's time for the filmmakers to follow the new direction this masterpiece paving here. I wonder how many movies would really pull off such an intricate brilliant character development or editing. Each character was developed by poetry in dialogues, subtle camera angles and poignant masterful editing. I've never seen anything so artistic like this before. Truly stunning new way of filmmaking. I'm currently studying every shot and every second of it and i'm getting increasingly astonished by the ingenious craftsmanship that was put into this film. This is what i call an art of genuine moviemaking!

[–] devilside 18 years ago

my reaction was that i couldn't believe this was just recently made and released, it looked like it was 40 years old film! because of its neglect of the standards of modern cinema and also because it had classic written all over it. This seemed as if people were already talking about it for decades. Masterpiece, no doubt. No reasonable man can say this was just Ok, i hope we're all still living on earth.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] liuwey 18 years ago

I think both movies is trying to follow the novel as close as possible. It is going to be long and get into the characters a little bit. It is not the Condor Heroes but it has potential to be a classic story. The author Liang Yusheng also written "The Bride with White Hair"

[–] nancy18 18 years ago

According to my mathematics, if this is regarded as one of the best wuxia films, then it’s easily for people like me one of the greatest films of all times and hence doubting if it’s a masterpiece seems to me well, let's admit it's quite silly.

I don’t even hope the majority would be praising this film, that’s not what is expected out of this film either, the majority don’t understand true wuxia, its culture and beliefs let alone the old Chinese standards of moviemaking that’s usually very differing from the rest of the world.

[–] glocktwentyseven 18 years ago

ten times better than "Seven Samurai"?

... you blaspheme!

not even Tsui Hark would say some sh!t like that...

[–] revolution21 18 years ago

Yea but Tsui Hark is very humble, in fact so much that he's not satisfied with any film he's made to date.

Seven Swords to me is also WAAAAAY better than Seven Samurai. But that's just me. Is it crime to like something more than SSamurai?! I hope not.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 17 years ago

It's not a crime at all to like Seven Swords more than Seven Samurai but IMO, 'Swords' is merely amateurish compared to 'Samurai'. But that's just my opinion.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Right Guard commercial

[–] UlrikSander 17 years ago

Ten times better than "Seven Samurai"? Jesus Christ! Kids these days......

My YMDb Top-20 Movies List: http://www.ymdb.com/ulrikone/l37847_ukuk.html

[–] Callahan09 17 years ago

I was willing to hold my tongue until somebody declared that this movie is ten times better than Seven Samurai. What a bunch of garbage. That opinion is probably the most heartbreaking one I've ever heard. Seven Samurai is a realistic masterpiece of cinema. This film was a complicated mess with some extremely unrealistic battles. I was lost from the start when that whirling blade disc flew... it didn't make any historical sense... wu xia aside. A weapon like that doesn't even exist in today's world. The acting was trite and this is probably due to the fact that some of the main players were speaking languages that were foreign to them (Korean for Donnie Yen). Also, the fights were too obviously wired, even though they were intentioned to show a fight as it could've potentially happened in real life. I'm specifically referring to the sword battle near the end where the two characters use their legs to perch up on the walls. I just didn't buy this movie. I was highly disappointed.

[–] guruzeb 10 years ago

What he said x10
10 times better than seven samurai ??? .... Only if your a totally myopic (probs) ethnically Chinese fanboy.
The whole tread on this film is pretty much a joke and has obviously been ganked by Chinese guys hoping to flex China's modernised cultural content muscles rather than be rational and balanced.

I watched this film based on its good reviews here and i was appalled.
Its nothing more than straight from central casting mid range Chopsocky faire from start to finish.
The really sad part of all the Chinese fanboys falling over themselves to praise this utterly unremarkable movie, is the fact that REAL Chinese cinema CLASSICS like Zu Warriors of the mystic mountain (old one) or Saviour of the soul, that are probs unfamiliar to many western fans get completely ignored by these
unbalanced muppets.

Seriously cannot help the suspicion that a PR company was involved in some of this as no one can possibly even with huge amounts of jingoism can claim this movie is a masterpiece ... way to polish a turd guys!!

China if you want to be taken seriously artistically ... learn to cut out the jingoistic unbalanced BS when yopu review!!!!

"The price of free content is constant vigilance"

[–] tzunder 18 years ago

Happy. Fun film. Great baddies, great photography, great music, great fights, confusing lack of characterisation at the beginning, and frankly I thought that of all the swords only Dragon and Transience were that well presented. I'd watch it again and I'd see a sequel. Can't see the spirituality tho' I saw the big political message in HERO but this is more good old fashioned 'kick the *beep* out of the bad guys' and nothing wrong with that.

[–] shiulong 17 years ago

The plot is jumbled becuase it is based on a Wuxia series that is thousands of pages long, with several intricate plots. I think they did a good job considering it was initially supposed to be 4 hours long.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] pedicab_driver 18 years ago

I want my money back.

[–] neil-mason4 18 years ago

It was good, not a classic but quality nevertheless. It did seem disjointed, I'm sure the longer director's cut would help makes more sense although I found it a bit too long anyway. Good action (could have done with more) and great cinematography. Loved the idea of all the different swords and styles associated with them, this could have been expanded on. Like someone mentioned, that sword found in the desert - what happened to that then?

[–] taliban-4 18 years ago

<I'm sure the longer director's cut would help makes more sense although I found it a bit too long anyway>

Sorry to disappoint you but recently the director himself announced that there'll never be any diretor's cut because reportedly this version is absolutely perfect and sufficient. Which i totally agree, of course. IMO, the longer cut would make it intentionally even more complex.

[–] tMIIKE3 18 years ago

I personally think its a great film and a masterpiece of asian cinema.

There's a thin line between love and hate.

[–] jlcurtis321 18 years ago

I totally agree with the thread starter, these 2.5 hours absolutely changed and enriched my view on life. Not many films can do that, but this one did. Masterpiece

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] JoseBBl 18 years ago

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

Both of those movies were superior to Seven Swords.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] sam-lam 18 years ago

This is such a high improvement over his Once Upona Time in China or Time and Tide. I don’t think this is just a return to form, i think that with this film he got into such a great form that he’ll never again return to. Tsui Hark is on top of his career now. I was waiting so long for this day. He's back.

Very true. Let's face it, Time and Tide was just a generic action thriller like any other that drastically bombed at the audiences, even more than currently quite adored another groundbreaking gem Legend Of Zu. And Once Upon a Time in China already belongs to the past. Seven Swords is a spectacular and very moving grand film unlike any one of those noted.

[–] vados 18 years ago

Just saw this movie and all i can say is it sucked.
apart from the action scenes this movie was too long, too boring and too confusing.

[–] devilside 18 years ago

Apart from your user name your comment is too long, too boring and too confusing. What i can say is that you should try to watch this great uncompromising movie once again. Screw the mainstream, dig the underground! That's where the real treasure is.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

<Both great, but Spielberg and Kurosawa don't just make movies... they make masterpieces.>

Great line, but sorry, i don't think calling Tsui Hark the Asian Spielberg would do much justice to his name. And i don't think that Kurosawa has EVER made as many masterpieces in his life as Tsui Hark in 20 years. Which seems to me quite funny.

Of course, if we can be more reasonable, Seven Samurai definitely couldn't have simply measured up to the greatness of this film. It's too good.

Seven Swords has arguably much more impressive character development; Seven Samurai managed to develop only 4 characters, the 3 left to be totally neglected! Seven Swords developed highly distinctive traits of each swordsman, in case of Seven Samurai, at the beginning i didn't even know who is who as nearly everyone was the same, except for those 4 characters. I didn't care at all when some of them died in the film, no wonder, no one was developed so the audience would feel for them. Seven Swords is absolutely in different league here, it made us to understand their missions than just to feel for them. Seven Swords is much more cynical film. And also much more accomplished in this department. I must admit that the film has one of the most genious developments of characters i have ever seen. And probably will never see again. I found myself in everyone of those characters, that's sadly not what i can say about Seven Samurai.

Fellini's films were also pretty off-sync, so i can't complain here. That's simply the reality of certain type of cinema. In fact, here i liked more the way how it was very noteless and unobtrusive. Very good work.

To me, Seven Swords is simply way too good and highly different to be just compared to some elitist artsy cinema, let alone Kurosawa's works.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

Tsui Hark is a good filmmaker but he's definitely no Spielberg. I like to compare Mr. Tsui to Roger Corman. I'm not trying to insult him. My point is that like Mr. Corman, he can make a lot with very little. He's an innovator and a trend setter. But I can't agree that this film is better than Kurosawa's SAMURAI. Some people, like yourself, may look at SAMURAI and say "what's so great about this film?". But you have to remember that it was made 50 years ago and though it may not seem impressive now, it was a revelation then. It is a classic now. SEVEN SWORDS is no classic. First of all, there are just way too many flaws for this film to be deemed a masterpiece. The plot is inconsistent. Instead of developing just primary characters, he spends the bulk of the movie trying to develop everyone! Sure Kurosawa's film has its quiet moments, but SEVEN SWORDS's quiet moments become unbearable. The action scenes could have been grand and epic instead they are bogged down by the overly stylish editing. Much like his LEGEND OF ZU, I found this movie to be quite a real headache. SEVEN SWORDS has the potential to be a blockbuster but is certainly not a masterpiece.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] adreamy 18 years ago

Some people, like yourself, may look at SAMURAI and say "what's so great about this film?". But you have to remember that it was made 50 years ago and though it may not seem impressive now, it was a revelation then.

My friend, Seven Samurai was not such a revelation as you want to believe so, there was not only many samurai films made before but most of the presented epic style in the film we've seen many many times before in John Ford's and Howard Hawks' films before too. Nothing so much new and definitely no revelation. It was Kurosawa's attempt to westernize his films, which he was very successful at and therefore very easily admired. Tsui Hark is a totally different case, his movies can be a little westernized in appeal today, but his artistic approach is quite unapproachable by many audiences around the world, he's always making it intentionally extremely hard for the audience to understand his films. But once you penetrate into his magic you'll see a true revelation, i can guarantee you that. Actually it's quite arguable that it's in fact Seven Swords that is a genuine revelation to certain people because the style in *this* film is what the human eye couldn't have seen ever before, the editing and camera work are one of the most highly innovative (the word hardly ever common in the 50's) tricks many people have ever seen. This is a radical reconstruction and deconstruction of the genre, style and story-telling. Believe me, MUCH more than Seven Samurai or many other films at that era for that matter! Do some research next time.

[–] laflic 18 years ago

I also agree with "mjazz1". I think it's disgustingly insulting comparing Tsui Hark to Spielberg. Spielberg was never such a "true" artist in so many aspects and areas, he never managed to make so many masterpieces and being so influential either. I know that he's critically compared to Kurosawa or Spielberg, but to me he's out of question much better artist than any one of them together. Legend Of Zu just like Seven Swords are usually regarded as true masterpieces or works of a genius and i can't help but to agree, because these films are utterly perfect in everything what they're trying to accomplish. They're flawless! And even if one thought there's some flaw, that doesn't depriving them of the status of a "masterpiece", many films like Once Upon a Time In The West are flawed but they're masterpieces for the certain power and appeal. Why do you think that people sometimes stating that the more flawed Tsui Hark is the more genious and excellent he is. I'm quite convinced that all the people who have the problems to get into the innovative side of this film have no right to criticize this either. They are obviously not mature enough to speak about what's good or bad in here. And this is not arrogant to say this at all, this is actually very objective. Indeed, Seven Swords is without any doubt an instant classic but probably just according to people who fully appreciated every innovative aspect of this masterful film.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] stones11 18 years ago

I'm quite convinced that all the people who have the problems to get into the innovative side of this film have no right to criticize this either. They are obviously not mature enough to speak about what's good or bad in here. And this is not arrogant to say this at all, this is actually very objective

Very good point! It baffles me from the very first negative review i read about SS. Actually not one of them has any idea what the type of film they're watching. What the type of people grown upon watching the popular mainstream cinema judging as a fault appears to be a hidden purpose and meaning from the creator's POV and a touch of genius from the more enlightened audience. Probably they don't know what does it mean to be really innovative and groundbreaking. That means to break ANY rule what makes a current movie good or bad, Tsui Hark's constantly converting all these perceptions and trends. And everyone of us has a personal idea of the value of standard or quality. If we as the audience can not follow the formula Tsui Hark's films enforcing and constantly advancing we never can possibly assess and find their legitimate value. These people really need to look into the mirror. I guess that's what Tsui Hark partially tries to show too: there's not a fault in the film, there's a fault in people like you. I bet he's also laughing at people like you now, as usual.

Someone thinks Tsui Hark's like Roger Corman?! oh my GOD! You've probably seen only Double Team or The Master. Maybe his working style is a bit similar, but this undeniable genius is responsible for some of the most hailed timeless masterpieces ever realized on screen, and Seven Swords is definitely one of them. Unfortunately, presumably still way ahead of many of your stubborn heads.

[–] laflic 18 years ago

- stones11

Yea, we can quite concur here. It's starting to make much more sense when the ranting how his films are flawed is actually coming just from the popular taste and some standard these people are living by. Seven Swords is an experimental film and highly innovative. Therefore, flawless in its own way. Period.

[–] PassthatDutch 18 years ago

How do I get the English subs?

[–] laflic 18 years ago

Here after you register you can download the English subs: http://www.divxsubtitles.net/

[–] PassthatDutch 18 years ago

Hey thanx!

[–] sumper 18 years ago

People call the movie innovative and groundbreaking... sure, I can dig that... though I'm not sure I totally agree. But even if it is, does that make it a "MASTERPIECE"? No, it does not. Battlefield Earth is innovative and groundbreaking too... but most people would say in a very bad way. Seven Swords is an okay movie in my eyes, I liked it. But there were way too many plot holes like the sword in the desert. maybe if the movie was 2 hours longer these things could be fixed... but "the movie is perfect and no dir-cut will be made" just too bad IMO. I've read a lot of comments on how the character develepment is so great, but I just can't agree. If it's innovative and groundbreaking to tell very little about a lot of characters I really can't see that as a good thing. But hey, maybe it's me thats wrong, maybe it's a good thing that you have to come up with character background and motivation for yourself... certainly all the people who grew up with braindead mainstream movies will have to use their imagination for once.

Sorry for the bad spelling. It's not my fault. I'm danish

[–] karateluke2000 18 years ago

My advice to you sumper is to just leave this board all together. These people on here are bonafied Tsui Hark followers who only see in their point of view and not others.

[–] laflic 18 years ago

My advice to you sumper is to just leave this board all together. These people on here are bonafied Tsui Hark followers who only see in their point of view and not others.

That's why this is called a message board. No one compels you to be in here either. People are discussing in a civilized manner only their own opinions in their own point of views which is far more than you're capable to do i guess. Otherwise this would be boring if everyone had the same point of views.

I'm afraid that you're an unbearable ignorant. Really sad.

[–] Wareagle2485 18 years ago

sumper:

For your information, this film was being called many times by a few European critics a masterpiece too. Tsui Hark never ever made a flawless film in his life, but interestingly enough, his the most flawed films are usually being called masterpieces. I can see that there's quite a lot hidden in these films which the average moviegoer can be totally lost in, and that's no secret that Seven Swords demands a great deal of effort from the viewer to appreciate its true merits.

For me personally this film is as great as Magnificent Seven for sure. Even though i'm aware this can not be a worldwide hit. Which makes it much more special film to tell you the truth.

My advice to you sumper is to just leave this board all together. These people on here are bonafied Tsui Hark followers who only see in their point of view and not others.

What a jackass. Please, go home. Don't think anyone's curious about you.

[–] pedicab_driver 18 years ago

I agree 100% with what sumper wrote.
This "masterpiece" is a fake.
The fanaticism this film is attracting I find weirdly interesting.

[–] unmadebed 18 years ago

sumper. You're not even sure how this is immensely grounbreaking or innovative, it doesn't take much to see you don't even know what makes this a true masterpiece. Quite amusing i might say.

Seven Swords has not any plot holes nor the movie needs any other hour to explain anything. The film tells a lot through the visuals, lots of details have their own metaphysical connection to the plot. That's a fact. This is probably not a film you'd expect to criticize your way. So don't do it, it can only make you look like an ass.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] pedicab_driver 18 years ago

sarcasm! right?

[–] stendhalsyndrome 18 years ago

Well, just looking around at the praise towards this film can convince everyone that one would hardly make a sarcasm from that comment, which i totally agree with anyway. Even though, the word "masterpiece" around this film seems to me rather cliché. Seven Swords is so much more. This is that kind of film that would make Kubrick proud.

"That b*tch is ugly. Hairy too. WOOOOOOOOEEEEEE! SHAVE THAT DOG AND TEACH IT TO HUNT!" (California)

[–] HKblues 18 years ago

It baffles me from the very first negative review i read about SS. Actually not one of them has any idea what the type of film they're watching. What the type of people grown upon watching the popular mainstream cinema judging as a fault appears to be a hidden purpose and meaning from the creator's POV and a touch of genius from the more enlightened audience. Probably they don't know what does it mean to be really innovative and groundbreaking. That means to break ANY rule what makes a current movie good or bad, Tsui Hark's constantly converting all these perceptions and trends. And everyone of us has a personal idea of the value of standard or quality. If we as the audience can not follow the formula Tsui Hark's films enforcing and constantly advancing we never can possibly assess and find their legitimate value. These people really need to look into the mirror. I guess that's what Tsui Hark partially tries to show too: there's not a fault in the film, there's a fault in people like you. I bet he's also laughing at people like you now, as usual.

The best post i read on this board!

[–] unmadebed 18 years ago

HKblues - ¨where did you get that? I'm quite sure i saw such an analysis written many times before. Ironically, i think that was stated by some critics.

[–] HKblues 18 years ago

Look a couple of posts back, some IMDb user wrote this. I thought it was quite nicely put and true so i copied that post.

[–] paradox_debaser 18 years ago

The arrogance of the author of this message is astounding and rather embarrasing. Claiming that there is not a fault in the film, but in the viewer, is an absolute joke! You could use that to defend ANY title. It is perfectly resonable for someone to find this movie less than perfect whilst understanding what they are watching. Very embarrassing post, makes me cringe to read such close minded, egotistical views.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] patton98 18 years ago

paradox debaser".. lol. how long have you been on drugs.

It seems that some people can not face the reality. There’s the reason why certain films end up very ahead of their time because at the moment a film is released audiences are not still ready for that yet. Only a few years later people will usually connect with the vision the director had on his mind and put in the film. People are constantly missing the point in so many films, that’s the sad reality of cinema and its manufacturers. So i’d agree that it’s not just the fault of the audience but also its creators. The directors sometimes don’t find that thin line when and where the film can be understood and enjoyed. This director Tsui Hark is already famous for his intentional complexity and breaking of the norms so it’s no surprise that most of the people are losing the point what they’re actually watching. But i guess it’s not so bad to point out that it’s more the audiences‘ fault, so at least they’ll try harder to see what they’re missing without waiting some 10 years when a film would find its ultimate niche and comprehension from the majority of audience.

[–] paradox_debaser 18 years ago

I was wrong. I now see that any perceived fault in the movie is actually a fault in the viewer. The movie is objectively perfect. How arrogant of me to suggest that a viewer has the right to have a subject opinion of this movie! It is far less arrogant to state that anyone who doesn't think the movie is perfect is wrong and don't understand it.
Phew! At least I got that straight.
BTW The defense 'The fault is in the viewer not in the film' is brilliant. Flawless. Wittgenstein would have been proud of its undeniable, logical certainty.
So to anybody who didn't think the movie was flawless, you are WRONG. It was flawless, it has been proven objectively

[–] patton98 18 years ago

pd.. what a bunch of nonsense. You're only making yourself look more dumb this way.

The movie is objectively perfect.

Nonsense! There doesn't exist anything like this.

any perceived fault in the movie is actually a fault in the viewer.

The film can no longer change, the film is already made. It's only up to the viewer to change his perception... Anyway, in the philosophical sense, it's true. It's the viewer's perception that is in fault. I don't hope you'll ever realize this.

The defense 'The fault is in the viewer not in the film' is brilliant. Flawless.

Seriously... what are you on?! When two viewers understand something in the film what the other one is ignoring those two can always admit there's a fault in the viewer. But the one who's ignoring this will rather go to call the film flawed - which is much easier for him, a truly brilliant "offence". Then later he can appear on IMDb fooling around claiming that it's "objectively" flawed film, yea, what a brilliant "defense", isn't it. The truth is that this one who didn't get what others did should better shut his mouth for good or just admit that he didn't understand it instead of offending the film. Lots of people are not able to admit this. Now i'm reffering mainly to people who are trying to bring out some objectivity for their own defense.

The fault is in the viewer not in the film

Whoever wrote this seems to me as a very introspective analyzing man. Actually it makes a lot of sense, as i said, the film is already done, the film shouldn't be overly criticized, now it's only up to the audience to decide how much they understood or connected with the film. It's also much more fun because of the subjective reactions to the film, so when one finds a certain moment boring and the other one meaningful, we know where the fault lies. This film is already perfect because it offers lots of different interpretations to the viewer. It's only the arrogant fools who believe there's only an objectivity to this so they criticize and analyze the film and not the audience's subjective opinions of this movie. The paradox lies in the public's primitive nature and stupidity.

[–] paradox_debaser 18 years ago

Sorry for my sarcastic post, I guess it was a bit unnecessary. Lets discuss this sensibly. I have studied aesthetics as part of a philosophy degree and I am interested in your view. But please don't ask if I am taking drugs, or imply I will never understand the philosophical view that all fault in art is in the viewer. I have heard this view, and it is not original by any means.
You say the film is not 'objectively perfect', but then claim it is 'perfect' and seemingly deny the right to have the opinion that that the movie contains flaws. Are you arguing that it is subjectively perfect? Surely then a viewer is entitled to have the subjective view that the film is flawed.
Do you consider all art flawless? Do you consider the fault to be not itn eh piece of art, but in the viewer, for all art? Are you making this as an objective claim, as surely as a subjective claim it is meaningless?

[–] patton98 18 years ago

Well, what i'm constantly trying to stress here that there actually shouldn't be used as regularly the term "flaw" when discussing the wide dimension of entertainment and what one can take from it. What you see as a flaw, pretentious, dumb, etc, the more objective perspective can only reveal as the viewer's pure misunderstanding and lack of certain relation as to what the creator put onto the film. I wouldn't word it as "a fault in the viewer" but it's pretty much close to it, especially when that individual would be in the minority.

You say the film is not objectively perfect, but then claim it is perfect and seemingly deny the right to have the opinion that that the movie contains flaws.

That's just misunderstanding on your part. In fact, i only deny people who are watching something what they clearly don't understand. I never "ever" stated they have no right for their own opinions, quite on contrary, i'm angry at people who are not able to express their own feelings and have their own opinion or interpretation about something they just usually shrug off as flawed. Especially this film that i called perfect just because it offers many various interpretations and feelings and lots of people don't even bother to exert some effort and express what they feel about something what they think doesn't work. I can also admit that i don't understand lots of other films from Ingmar Bergman to Sergio Leone, i find their films either boring or cheesy and ineffective but i know there's lots other people who understand these films so at the same time i'm fully aware that this is certainly not my type of cinema i like to watch and criticize. And this Seven Swords is already known as the type of film the audience is supposed to work for instead of waiting when everything will be spelled out for them. This way the average viewer can just count the flaws throughout the film, because they are practically everywhere, but as the producers hinted, there's intentionally implemented as many of them as possible. These flaws, including the plot holes enabling the viewers to form their own interpretations of the story and characters. That was the point. If people are going to argue how many flaws there is it won't lead anywhere, it'd be like sitting on their heads.

Do you consider all art flawless? Do you consider the fault to be not itn eh piece of art, but in the viewer, for all art? Are you making this as an objective claim, as surely as a subjective claim it is meaningless?

No i just don't think it's wise enough to contemplate if this or that art is flawed or perfect. I believe only in the viewer's interpretation, i'm more interested in the viewer's perception because it's more enriching. The moment when the fault lies in the viewer happens when he's lacking any personal opinion or feeling and rather resorting to the by the book filmmaking points or objective terms that usually don't even make any lick of sense. What i see as a flaw can not be categorized, because it never can be looked at as an objective term. Whereas you never can pinpoint the flaw in any film because in a sense probably every film has its perfect understanding at least from one viewer. Therefore it's totally useless criticizing the films on some imaginary objective level. So as you said, everyone can defend their own film by claiming the fault is in the viewer, but the irony is that it's how it actually goes among people all the time. I would clearly accept if anyone else told me there's a fault in me when i didn't see in this film exactly what he did. But i already found the perfect enjoyment and understanding from the film in my own perspective so i don't need to see it in different eyes.

I noticed many times before that in certain films the viewer laughed at something the director himself intended as a rather sad or emotionally moving. In such case, tell me where is the flaw when the film can be viewed at least in two possible ways. It's pointless to look for any flaw just because it went against the original intention if there already exists some positive reaction to it.

[–] paradox_debaser 18 years ago

Now I understand what you mean. And i agree for the most part. However when you say that you don't think it is wise to contemplate whether this or that art is flawed or perfect, it is highly debatable! Many brilliant minds have tackled the issue of the objective/subjective nature of art, and to say one view is not wise is a bit dismissive! The debate as to whether objective criteria exist that the value of art can be judged by has been debated for thousands of years. Anyway, I'm glad we finally understand each other!

[–] patton98 18 years ago

Sure, as a teenager I also thought there must be something objective about the nature of art, then 20 years later i grew up and realized what a fool i was. Those who are constantly trying to put some objectivity to the film or music art are only indirectly creating the boundaries that are restricting the range of art itself, possibility of breaking the rules and creating the new face of cinema, that means a serious lack of originality and innovation in the future. If that is what you want... well then.

I'm very confident that by this vain direction the filmmaking in general would become totally stale very soon.

Note: When we look into the past, lots of films - considered badly made by the majority of public - made in the last 50 years in fact partially formed the whole modern cinema. Guess it can make you a good picture how the whole objectivity on what's good or bad is just a clear vanity of the human nature. In fact, if there was an objectivity as you claim people would stop learning and make any valuable progress in the filmmaking art. Imagine how boring it'd be.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

masterpiece?are you joking?

[–] Cinevalley 18 years ago

Seven Swords is undoubtedly one of the greatest films ever made. Tsui Hark puts even Kurosawa to shame here, that's for sure. Also it's no secret that this film is getting noted as a true masterpiece nearly everywhere today (from the critics to dvd/vhs cases).

"Righteousness exists in Heaven and on Earth. Merging into all life forms."

[–] Elementary_My_Dear_Watson 18 years ago

I also thought this movie as ace! It kept me interested and etertained throughout! I liked the way all the charactors were easily recognisable, (A problem I have with martial arts movies is not remembering characters faces and getting confused!)

A also loved the face painting of the Fire-Wind! Totally menicing! Lol!

But I do have to say, it wasn't as good as Hero, or House of Flying Daggers, but it was still very enjoyable!

Deano

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

lol cinevally

[–] Jlonedragon 18 years ago

Yeah um this movie was actually fun to watch(did anyone else laugh when the bad guy laughed and punched that random soldier?). The fight scenes were pretty cool too, although sometimes it was edited badly...but it was still good to watch(the wall fight at the end was amazing). The music was great, not the best ever, but it made it more interesting to watch which is great music. The scenes were beautifully shot, with artistic renditions and backgrounds all over. The style of Tsui Hark was portrayed very well too.

Though despite all that, it isn't a masterpiece. I thinked it strayed a little too far off from the plot and character development.

This movie had so much more potential too. If it had a better plot with some twists and turns, as well as morals...then it would be a great movie.

My thoughts, fun to watch. Good fight scenes. It could've had more though.

"I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death!"
-Nas, NY State of Mind

[–] unmadebed 18 years ago

Yeah um this movie was actually fun to watch(did anyone else laugh when the bad guy laughed and punched that random soldier?)

You probably need serious help, i was nearly crying because that scene was clearly sick and disturbing.

If it had a better plot with some twists and turns, as well as morals...then it would be a great movie.

I think you have absolutely no idea why people call it a great masterpiece of cinema in the first place. I'm very much sure mostly because of the morals. I think it's not so relevant mentioning that the idealism behind the morals is actually capable to change anyone's view on life. That was the main point of this film. As an exquisite wuxia film it's perfectly reflecting our time. Glad you so very much understood the film.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

if u think this movie is a masterpiece then you know nothing about movies and have terrible taste
movie was average,5 or 6 out of 10.

[–] devilside 18 years ago

movie was average?!?!!?

This can be spouted only by people who don't understand the subtle philosophies and teachings of xia value system. I think it's very obvious to everyone here who has actually a terrible taste and know nothing about movies, especially movies like this. Buddy, i'm afraid that you're horribly in minority, this film in reality is A masterpiece. Please, get back to the top 100 the most watched movies on IMDb, you're quite out of place here.

Anyways, as someone already noted Kurosawa's name, i think that it’s no secret that Hark is being very often compared to Kurosawa since The Blade. I already saw quite a few polls where The Blade or The Lovers were voted above films like Yojimbo or Ikiru. Here this film Seven Swords is in my book out of question easily on par with Seven Samurai, period. I don't think the film would put Kurosawa to shame (even though i could be wrong) but is more than likely he would be very jealous of the amount of human themes and visuals this film is carrying. Seven Swords is undoubtedly a very strong timeless film that offers lots of theoretical lessons on the lives of each one of us.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

i'm afraid that you're horribly in the minority actually devil.this movie was nowhere near as good as ur saying
this is so funny hearing u and that other idiot claiming its a masterpiece.and i know far more bout movies than u,so ur the one out of place

stupid idiot,seven swords did not get good reviews @ all when it came out,and its imdb rating isnt even good.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

LMAO looking @ some of ur posts completly proves my point
you say The Thing is a crap movie HAHA,and u actually say john carpenters vampirs and ghost of mars and load of other crap movies are better than it

omg,you are such a *beep* idiot,what age are you?you must be young and only into crap action movies.
when a load of people hate a movie,and it gets universally bad reviews,you should think that maybe your wrong about the movie and that its not that good

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] devilside 18 years ago

Jeez, what an ass you’ve made out of yourself here. Just because a few dumb critics don’t understand this outlandish filmmaking i should listen to them and admitting... ow all of a sudden they’re all right, and i have nothing else to say. LOL. Wake up from your dream boy. You make yourself even more hilarious with every new post. But keep it going if you have the guts.

Thanks that you brought up how i believe The Thing is a bad film, now you made me look better, because i haven't found yet at least one critic who thought this was a good film in the first place, this film was a critical and financial flop and embarrassment to everyone involved back then, not to mention how the film ruined Carpenter’s whole career, just a years later some people got to appreciate its inhuman themes and senseless violence. Otherwise it’s a perfect example of the bad movie: practically no character development, plot hole nearly every 5 minutes, no human themes, just crappy special effects that lead the whole film. Watch the first true classic The Thing From Another World from the 50’s to see what is generally labelled as a great moviemaking. Vampires and Ghosts Of Mars were at the very least fun enetrtaining films that were not trying to be anything else. It's obvious that Carpenter learned from his past. And eat this, these films have gained over the years a strong cult following and are slowly becoming among Carpenter’s best efforts to date. So i see that you hardly ever prove anything but just different taste. Don’t let me start this silly childish game myself by picking up the films you love as the examples of crappy filmmaking like you. Though, i don't even have to do that, your childish posts literally speak for themselves.

have a good night.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

lol u guys are such idiots
this got quite slated when it came out,its nowhere near a masterpiece,just cause ur too stupid to "get" other movies doesnt make them bad
theres a reason why The Thing is in the 250 list of best movies ever on imdb,and why seven swords isnt+never will be.

and outside of the seven swords forum,u idiots are in the minority claiming its a masterpiece.look@the movies u like man,ur a *beep* idiot when it comes to deciding what movies are masterpieces,leave ur immature idiotic view to people who know something about movies

as to the poster before you,yes everybody has an opinion bla bla bla.your opinion is just stupid and clearly from somebody who lacks education and culture.you can say all u want that seven swords is a masterpiece,but anybody who isnt an idiot like you,and has decent taste in movies will not agree with you.

have a *beep* good evening u god damn idiots,id love to see ur *beep* dvd collections

[–] devilside 18 years ago

I rest my case here, lol. Everything is clear now. That last perfomance was like Strauss on acid.

just cause ur too stupid to "get" other movies doesnt make them bad
Didn't someone say the same to you on this board?

btw, since when a popularity makes a movie automatically good anyway. Yea sure, IMDb top 100. Lol. That was a good one. Actually i pray to God this truly great movie will never make it on that list. Movies like this don't belong there!

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

whats to get bout seven swords,its not that complicated lol.
and imdb top 100 is pretty *beep* accurate,dont worry seven swords wont get on it cause it blows

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

also if ur implying that seven swords will be looked on as a masterpiece in 20 years time like The Thing and Blade runner you are so *beep* wrong
cinema has changed a hell of a lot,and theres no way an excellent movie will get slated in these times
look@the movies u like man,they all *beep* suck and are for immature kids,your wrong,im right,face facts u dumb american

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

u also say rambos a *beep* masterpiece and that john woo is an excellent director
stupid idiot

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

I hate to take a dump on you guys but I think the fact that this movie (along with Jackie Chan's THE MYTH) was ignored at all of the major film festivals proves that this movie isn't all that great. I'd also like to mention that SS has not been purchased for release elsewhere (other than Asia and the UK). Although the Weinsteins have bought it for distribution stateside (thanks to Donnie Yen and his fine business relationship with them), I doubt it will get a full theatrical release. I'll be fair. It was a decent movie and may be slightly overlooked. But in comparison to other festival favorites opening at the time like SPL, Election and Initial D, SEVEN SWORDS ultimately fails.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] unmadebed 18 years ago

Very nonsensical and wrong judgement. First, it doesn't prove anything other than that it's not as accessible and undemanding as any HK flick. The popularity doesn't equal to the quality. There's the reason why it gained 11 nominations including the best film and director and amateurish SPL only a few technical ones. Seven Swords is not for everyone and in this case it's only a good thing. This film has not a universal appeal of crowd-pleasers like SPL or Election. But i admit only this, if Legend Of Zu was being hailed as a masterpiece then this one must be too. Period.

And if you don't get it, that's your problem, but please don't try to form your own set of standards as an objective term how to measure the quality of films. If Weinsteins or Americans won't ever touch this then it'll only bring more fuel to its unique greatness, that's how i see it. This film is tageting a totally different type of mentality, knowledge or taste. So i don't care what majority think of this, as i'm 100% sure this film will be ressurected just like dozens of other TsuiHark's films. It's just a matter of time, no big deal. But i'd be more interested what was your own reaction after the film ended rather than what some pseudo-intellectual brains thought of this on one Festival. Thanks.

[–] Bijoubob8 18 years ago

- unmadebed - truly beautifully stated. I applaud you, man. At least finally someone reasonable enough to see the reality outside of the pixels of the monitor.

The fact that this is ignored only speaks about the ignorance of the public. This is like learning of the buddhism or Chinese culture, we can not expect that everyone will be open to this. What's more important that the films like this only surviving in our memories and our cultures.

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

SEVEN SWORDS getting 11 nominations means absolutely nothing. If you recall there were only 40-50 films made in Hong Kong this past year compared to 300-400+ some 10 years ago. If you asked me why this movie was nominated I'd tell you that it was simply the best of the worst and by the process of elimination it was superior to the rest (not to mention that HK film critics are usually prejudice towards mainland China films). SPL was a CAT III film and so was ELECTION. Not very many CAT III films ever win or even get nominations (not anymore at least) but ELECTION was the clear favorite and the superior film. If you want proof, the last couple of HK Film Awards have been utterly predictable. I laughed out loud when NEW POLICE STORY was nominated for Best Picture! Hell, even THE MYTH was a contender this past year! From now on the formula will always be the same: If Stephen Chow releases a movie within the year than that movie will be the big winner. If Jackie Chan releases a movie than it will be nominated. If Tsui Hark makes a film than it will be nominated on so forth. My point is with the HK film industry on life support films being nominated don't mean anything anymore. Even KUNG FU HUSTLE was not worthy of the Best Picture award but by the process of elimination it was the best film that year.

"El pollo loco to you too."

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

the movie got ignored cause it sucked
umadebed your such an idiot haha.get some taste in movies

[–] Bijoubob8 18 years ago

SEVEN SWORDS getting 11 nominations means absolutely nothing. If you recall there were only 40-50 films made in Hong Kong this past year compared to 300-400+ some 10 years ago. If you asked me why this movie was nominated I'd tell you that it was simply the best of the worst and by the process of elimination it was superior to the rest (not to mention that HK film critics are usually prejudice towards mainland China films). SPL was a CAT III film and so was ELECTION. Not very many CAT III films ever win or even get nominations (not anymore at least) but ELECTION was the clear favorite and the superior film. If you want proof, the last couple of HK Film Awards have been utterly predictable. I laughed out loud when NEW POLICE STORY was nominated for Best Picture! Hell, even THE MYTH was a contender this past year! From now on the formula will always be the same: If Stephen Chow releases a movie within the year than that movie will be the big winner. If Jackie Chan releases a movie than it will be nominated. If Tsui Hark makes a film than it will be nominated on so forth. My point is with the HK film industry on life support films being nominated don't mean anything anymore. Even KUNG FU HUSTLE was not worthy of the Best Picture award but by the process of elimination it was the best film that year.

What's the most hilarious is this pathetic excuse you so dearly believe in. You don't even know that Tsui Hark is actually known as the king of these awards since the late 80's. Lots of his movies were nominated! It's not just because of the limited selection. LOL. But a nice try. These nominations very much count and always will be forever noted in Hark's career.

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

No they don't! You're just in denial as I only presented facts in my argument. Laugh all you want because it's the truth. Tsui Hark was indeed the king of these awards and the key word here is WAS. Not anymore it seems. The Hong Kong film industry is not what it used to be and like it or not the truth is awards don't mean squat anymore. If Daniel Wu can win a Golden Horse Award for his performance in New Police Story, then I guess Paully Shore should've made the move to Hong Kong cinema a long time ago. It's a joke! Even TIME AND TIDE was recognized by film festivals like Venice and Cannes. SEVEN SWORDS was completely ignored. Why? Simply because it wasn't derserving enough.

"El pollo loco to you too."

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

Tsui Hark hasn't made a solid film in about a decade. His last good movie I watched was THE BLADE. That seemed to be the last good martial arts film before all those crappy pop star vehicles took over. Legend of Zu sucked. Black Mask 2 really sucked. Seven Swords was OK. He hasn't had a hit in a long time, critcally or commercially. He was the king of awards but not anymore.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] Jlonedragon 18 years ago

Hmmmmmmm........I'm still confused whether Unmadebed is a troll preteneding to be a fan or seriously is a diehard fan.

Masterpiece? He still hasn't given the solid reasons as to why it is a masterpiece.

I'm still leaving it at my thoughts that this film had better potential, but isn't a masterpiece. You could tell the story was deep but the movie didn't go indepth. The characters didn't grow and connect as well as you would expect.

A masterpiece by Tsui Hark would be The Blade or Once Upon a Time in China, not this movie.

PS pal...I still think that scene is fuuuuunnaaay!!! But because of your 'blindness', you didn't know what I was referring to.

"I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death!"
-Nas, NY State of Mind

[–] poesung 18 years ago

support! i am happy that western movies fans love this film, but as a Chinese, i must admit that they are just over-ethusiastic, cuz this movie certainly is not worth this kind of adoration. maybe the overestimation is because of the fact that my western friends havn't seen many so called wuxia movies and therefore are not familiar with the trick in this kind of films. admittedly, this is definitely above the average among so many banal wuxia films we Chinese are watching since childhood and i was exited with the fight scene in it, and the music (unfortunately made by a japanese). however, that you give so much credit to this film is wrong, and irrational. a lot of you like jacky chan, but actually he is an illiterate and his movies have no value save the function of entertaining. personally the best wuxia film embodying some Chinese spirit is ang lee's CTHD. zhang yimo's attempt at wuxia films are not successful, and chen kaige's the promise is a total failure. anyway, generally apeaking, there aren't many wuxia films that can be termed as masterpiece.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] poesung 18 years ago

<It's the moral values and philosophical context that is unprecedently and deeply explored here>

what kind of moral value or so called philosophical context they are which are UNPRECEDENTLY explored here? specify.

<there's nothing wrong or irrational about different opinions>

as a result, you shouldn't get so angry about my opinions cuz opinions are opinions and i don't pretend that what i say is always true. maybe you have more insight into life than me because i'm just a gradute but don't try to scare me with your arbitrary judgements and pretent you know all. we are both human beings buddy. show some respect.

<Thank you, now you've convinced me enough that you don't even know what is wuxia. >
PLEASE! please tell me what wuxia is, in concrete english words and don't resort to the excuse that it cannot be defined with simple words. i am desperate to know what you guys' seemingly extremely genuine understading of this term is, then i may compare it to my own understanding resulting from my readings of the complete works of Jin Yong and other well known wuxia writers IN ORIGINAL CHINESE since i'm a child. i'm also curious where your understanding of this concept comes from, just from movies? or introduction of some 'experts' or 'scholars' of wuxia who don't even know chinese?

<if some of you blind fools gave it a deeper insight you wouldn't even mention here such inferior films like The Blade or Once Upon a Time in China, let alone such shallow flicks like CTHD.>

i am again curious and puzzled that the director of such inferior films is suddenly capable of making such a 'masterpeice' and i don't see in what significant aspects Tsui Hark's 'seven swords' exceeds his 'the blade'. 'Once Upon a Time in China' series ARE shallow flicks, but not CTHD, although CTHD is diliked by many Chines mass audiences and admired by their American counterparts for the same reason: its stunning and improbable flying. however, in my OPINION, the film is more than this mere technic innovation. the whole movie best represents the spirit of traditinal chinese, with its desert scene or stealing sword scene or clothes and costumes design or such trivial aspects as the gait and demeaner of its characters, although it integrated some western elements and is not without flaws.

i think 'seven swords' is a cool film and sun honglei's acting (as fenghuo liancheng) is very impressive, but you never know how some scenes in this film are so pretentious and most dialogues are so meaningless. added the loose plotline and weak characterizations, this is, i'm afraid, far from a masterpiece. yet that some of you are so crazy about it is vey understandable to me. you are not to blame and it IS worth your watching. just enjoy it. that's all.

sorry if there are some inappropriate usage of words, because i'm not a native speaker and is far from being very good at commanding english.

[–] LtBauer8 18 years ago

I totally agree with the "chambara". I’m observing this board for some time and i’m constantly shocked by some truly unbelievable big headed ignorants who used to turn on here telling others what this film is or not. If someone finds it great and perfect on his personal level then he can call it whatever he wants. Don’t sound so childish like there’s something objective here. Geez, i’m already waiting for something idiotic like „do you know how masterpiece looks like?“ just before i would have a *beep* heart attack by that.

btw, i don't think the profound meanings of Tsui Hark's films can be deciphered and described in a few words. There's already dozens of analyses on this subject. To me it's also pretty laughable that one thinks Crouching Tiger can be even compared to the abundance of meaning (that is good for 20 other films) behind The Blade or Seven Swords. It's too much to take seriously and i don't think i have a patience to argue with some who don't even see the life-changing elements of this film.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

shut up idiot
seven swords sucked major cock
crouching tiger didnt

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

Hmmm....Agreed. SEVEN SWORDS, while not completely unwatchable, ultimately fails as a movie.

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON = Masterpiece.

SEVEN SWORDS = Close but no cigar.

"El pollo loco to you too."

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Dragon_Eye_Morrison 18 years ago

It would be interesting if all the people that label everyone who doesn't think Seven Swords is a masterpiece as fools and what not actually pointed out specific details of what makes this film so innovate as they say. No broad statements like "the film is so complex i can't put it into words" or stuff like that, i mean solid and detailed arguments.

"I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but hostility, chaos and murder."

[–] Michael-Zech 18 years ago

My reaction to this "masterpiece"??

...do you really wanna know?

I was bored - excepted the few seconds i was looking onto my watch, to find out when this "masterpiece" will finally come to its end...

...i'm still kind of tired... :-/

no competition to hero / seven samurai or another "real" masterpiece.
neither visually, nor the direction!

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

My thoughts exactly. This movie just didn't know how and when to end.

"El pollo loco to you too."

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

I’m observing this board for some time and i’m constantly shocked by some truly unbelievable big headed ignorants who used to turn on here telling others what this film is or not. If someone finds it great and perfect on his personal level then he can call it whatever he wants. Don’t sound so childish like there’s something objective here. Geez, i’m already waiting for something idiotic like „do you know how masterpiece looks like?“ just before i would have a *beep* heart attack by that.

btw, i don't think the profound meanings of Tsui Hark's films can be deciphered and described in a few words. There's already dozens of analyses on this subject. To me it's also pretty laughable that one thinks Crouching Tiger can be even compared to the abundance of meaning (that is good for 20 other films) behind The Blade or Seven Swords. It's too much to take seriously and i don't think i have a patience to argue with some who don't even see the life-changing elements of this film.

You sir have summed it up perfectly there. Just looking back at some truly moronic posts like those by that „baron“ it’s getting pretty clear that the only people who don’t see this masterwork for what it is are just some adolescent teenybopers who saw only two wuxia films in their life, how can we take such people seriously. We can’t.

This movie just didn't know how and when to end.

LOL. Or maybe you didn't know how and when to watch it.

Good lord, it's getting hilarious how some people really don't get it. That's their problem. But it's really funny indeed.

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

I also found the action scenes to be rather weak compared to those of Hong Kong cinema's glory days. Only one film in the last 10 years or so has proven that it's equal to the best of Hong Kong's classic martial arts masterpieces: SPL. If you ask me which movie I preferred, SPL or SEVEN SWORDS, without a doubt I'd pick SPL. But I will compromise with you. SEVEN SWORDS is better than anything Jackie Chan has put out within the last 6-7 years and that's the truth. But let's be honest, I know you all know that SPL is a superior film to SEVEN SWORDS. Just admit it.

"El pollo loco to you too."

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

SPL is nearly amateurish, and i'm sure that you'll heard the same from many fans of this film. This HK film was not even nominated as a best film in HK Awards (but was in other meaningless ones), which says it all.

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

SEVEN SWORDS being nominated doesn't mean anything. Refer to one of my previous posts a couple of spaces up. You'll see what I mean. And SPL was not amateurish. That's just a way you people like to describe anything that's not directed by Tsui Hark. SEVEN SWORDS was worst than amateurish, is was a disaster from start to finish, like most of Tsui Hark's recent films. Here it is: My post.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0429078/board/thread/45681576?d=49795250#49795250

"El pollo loco to you too."

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

SPL didn't try to be an award film, although it did recieve numerous invitations and garnered critical praise at a few festivals. SPL was simply a tightly wound in-your-face, knockdown drag-out thrill fest. The only award I would've given it was for the action, which it deservingly won at last year's HK Film Awards. In my opinion, SPL in its 90 min did everything Seven Swords failed to do in its 150+ min: entertain. Seven Swords is not a terrible film by any means but I feel it just didn't meet or set any new standard. Plus at 150 min, it was too damn long. SPL on the other hand, in my humble opinion, is the best HK action flick of recent memory and has set a new standard for the new age of HK action cinema. I really like it. Hopefully the same quality of SPL can be duplicated in future HK action films for many more years to come.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] revolution21 18 years ago

"SPL is nearly amateurish, and i'm sure that you'll heard the same from many fans of this film. This HK film was not even nominated as a best film in HK Awards (but was in other meaningless ones), which says it all."

I knew that. I KNEW that! LOL. That forgotten gargage is not even worthy to be mentioned on this board, let alone any awards. Seven Swords groundbreaking in countless elements and 11 undisputed nominations at least set the standard for the movies 20 years ahead of our time.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

Forgotten? SPL is arguably the most popular HK film produced last year. People still talk about it especially now that it's arriving on DVD. Nobody gives a damn about Seven Swords. 11 undisputed nominations? How many did it win? That's right, NONE! Atleast SPL deservingly won the Best Action Choreography award. Seven Swords' 11 nods was just a charity case. Every year, a big spectacle is obligated to be nominated and last year, Seven Swords just happened to be that spectacle. Hell, even Jackie Chan's embarrassing 'The Myth' was nominated! LOL! SPL's chances at being a Best Picture contender were extremely slim considering it was a CAT III film and violent as hell. ELECTION was also CAT III but it was clearly THE best film last year and rightfully deserved the Best Picture Award. Hey, don't get angry. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

I knew that. I KNEW that! LOL. That forgotten gargage is not even worthy to be mentioned on this board, let alone any awards. Seven Swords groundbreaking in countless elements and 11 undisputed nominations at least set the standard for the movies 20 years ahead of our time.

You know, SPL had really potential but unfortunately totally failed. That movie didn't even offer the same what any other HK action flick from the 80's did. Actually the choreography was the only quality work that was made on the film but that's not saying much. Very disappointing film indeed, especially when i had such high hopes for it. Seven Swords was too much innovative for the modern tastes, thankfully movies like this don't need any awards to prove the greatness of it, it's only the time that can tell.

[–] revolution21 18 years ago

to "mjazz"

Sure, but "Seven Swords" has also another advantage over such below average films like "SPL", it’s one of those rare movies that function the way when the more limited audience and praise it'll gain the more effective and powerful film it is for those in the minority. That is to me an example of a truly great movie, the movie that doesn’t try to compromise its vision to appease the majority. In my view, it can be only achieved by the artists who don't try to sell-out to the wider audience. And if that makes them or me an elitist, then thank you very much and i take that as a great compliment, probably just like many others here i guess. The real power of a movie lies in the individual’s intuitive insight. And that’s what SPL doesn’t have, it’s condescending to the modern audiences and their superficial instincts and tastes, which is of course very easily open for greater appreciation. Sorry, but that's not how i like watching movies today, maybe if i was 8 i would like that, but not now.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

LOL! You guys are so full of shiat! You call SPL 'amatuerish' simply for the fact that Tsui Hark didn't direct it? You know what was amatuerish? Legend of Zu was amatuerish. Amatuerish FX, amatuerish storyline (no storyline for that fact), crummy fight scenes...I could go on forever. Double Team and Knock Off are gold compared to that one. Seven Swords was completely ignored by everyone at just about every festival it was lucky enough to get invited to. It was nominated for 11 HK film awards yet won NONE. That proves this movie did not connect with an audience and failed to do what it set out to do. In the long run, SPL will be credited with revamping HK's dying contemporary action genre (not to mention re-solidify Donnie Yen's career as a leading man) while Seven Swords will simply be another big budget studio flop that everyone has long forgotten about.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Old Spice commercial

[–] poesung 18 years ago

SPL is good for nothing, except the action, maybe. Seven Swords is a OK film, but not a masterpiece.

[–] Dragon_Eye_Morrison 18 years ago

Seven Swords groundbreaking in countless elements and 11 undisputed nominations at least set the standard for the movies 20 years ahead of our time

Seven Swords was too much innovative for the modern tastes, thankfully movies like this don't need any awards to prove the greatness of it, it's only the time that can tell.

I like how neither of you have still explained why the film is groundbreaking or innovative. Just using those adjectives for the sake of using them won't make the film exactly that by default. Keeping with the "only a minority will get it" rethoric doesn't help either, and could easilly be applied to any other film. Fans of the matrix sequels say similar things, does that means the matrix sequels are really exceptional films too good for the mases?

"I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but hostility, chaos and murder."

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

<Seven Swords was too much innovative for the modern tastes, thankfully movies like this don't need any awards to prove the greatness of it, it's only the time that can tell.>

I disagree. With a movie like SPL, then that staement would be true. Seven Swords was tailored for awards. As a matter of fact, I think Tsui Hark tried TOO hard to make this an award calibre film, which is a shame because it just isn't that good. It isn't a terrible film (unlike Legend of Zu), but it is neither groundbreaking or innovative. It's basically warn out swordsplay yarn threaded together with a plot that's more complicated than it should be, mixed together with sloppily edited fight scenes that are supposed to be cool but aren't. That pretty much sums up this movie. And the fact that these guys simply call this film a 'masterpiece' doesn't make it a 'masterpiece'. They trash SPL, a flawed but superior film to SS, and brag about SS's 11 award nods without mentioning that it won NONE. To me what makes a good film even better is how it appeals to a wider audience and not strictly for fans. This is where Seven Swords ultimately fails.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Right Guard commercial

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

DEM; i must admit your little comment made me laugh my ass off. Not only that it was a just a hogwash you were typing there, but on top of that you also didn't make any sense. Using those adjectives (that you'll see now many many many times about this film) based on fact make the film exactly that by default. If the film is "officially" groundbreaking and innovative it's not necessary to be explained why is that everytime and to everyone, because it happens to be a fact of life, if you understood the grounds that have been broken or the innovative direction that has been taken, then you'd be aware of this just like many others. [Btw, nearly every single film Tsui Hark has ever made was innovative.... you can check out Black Mask 2 for the start]. But i figure that anyone who didn't understand even the film itself will hardly ever understand the actual making of it. Yes, Matrix sequels can be exceptional to those in minority, and that fact can be applied to any film, thank you for reminding us all this. LOL. Tsui Hark as an underground filmmaker and self-proclaimed type of an elitist himself is making these films mainly to those who would understand them (i suppose due to the mainstream tactics he always could reach millions of them all those years). The more people see through them the more these films seem easily translatable and transparent, and that is, as he already stated by himself, what he's been trying to prevent from all the time in this industry. He succeeded once again here. Have a nice day.

...and next time, please either make the research on your own, or better try to realize that it's also a matter of opinions (...there's always lots of people who don't see 2001 Space Oddyssey as groundbreaking, ah well), just like what is a good film or a bad film. I hope it didn't wake you up from your fancy dream.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 18 years ago

<Tsui Hark as an underground filmmaker and self-proclaimed type of an elitist himself is making these films mainly to those who would understand them (i suppose due to the mainstream tactics he always could reach millions of them all those years).>

Wow you're full of shiat! LOL! You must be retarded if you think Tsui Hark is an underground filmmaker. Tsui Hark is a commercial filmmaker to the core. Of course you're gonna say he's an 'underground' filmmaker because his last few movies have utterly sucked and nobody - except a few 'elitists' who feel they owe it to him - has bothered to watch them. David Cronenberg is an underground filmmaker. Gregg Araki is an underground filmmaker. Wayne Wang is an underground filmmaker. Tsui Hark is a mainstream filmmaker whose latest commercial outing (Seven Swords) is yet another flop. Don't get mad. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

PS. WTF? Black Mask 2 sucked ASS! It was 100 times worse than that piece of crap 'Legend of Zu'.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Right Guard commercial

[–] Dragon_Eye_Morrison 18 years ago

[Btw, nearly every single film Tsui Hark has ever made was innovative.... you can check out Black Mask 2 for the start]

Seriously people, stop trolling these boards, it's becoming repetitive.

Yes, Matrix sequels can be exceptional to those in minority, and that fact can be applied to any film, thank you for reminding us all this. LOL

Yes, everyone can have different opinions, what i'm saying is that because some people think that a certain film is "groundbreaking" it doesn't mean it's a fact. Thank you for trying to change the meaning of my post and being trollish, LOL!

and next time, please either make the research on your own, or better try to realize that it's also a matter of opinions (...there's always lots of people who don't see 2001 Space Oddyssey as groundbreaking, ah well), just like what is a good film or a bad film. I hope it didn't wake you up from your fancy dream.

Coming from someone who can't seem to accept valid criticism towards Seven Swords, i say the one trying to live in a dream is you.

"I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but hostility, chaos and murder."

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fallenangels 18 years ago

i must admit your little comment made me laugh my ass off. Not only that it was a just a hogwash you were typing there, but on top of that you also didn't make any sense. Using those adjectives (that you'll see now many many many times about this film) based on fact make the film exactly that by default. If the film is "officially" groundbreaking and innovative it's not necessary to be explained why is that everytime and to everyone, because it happens to be a fact of life, if you understood the grounds that have been broken or the innovative direction that has been taken, then you'd be aware of this just like many others. [Btw, nearly every single film Tsui Hark has ever made was innovative.... you can check out Black Mask 2 for the start]. But i figure that anyone who didn't understand even the film itself will hardly ever understand the actual making of it. Yes, Matrix sequels can be exceptional to those in minority, and that fact can be applied to any film, thank you for reminding us all this. LOL. Tsui Hark as an underground filmmaker and self-proclaimed type of an elitist himself is making these films mainly to those who would understand them (i suppose due to the mainstream tactics he always could reach millions of them all those years). The more people see through them the more these films seem easily translatable and transparent, and that is, as he already stated by himself, what he's been trying to prevent from all the time in this industry. He succeeded once again here. Have a nice day.

...and next time, please either make the research on your own, or better try to realize that it's also a matter of opinions (...there's always lots of people who don't see 2001 Space Oddyssey as groundbreaking, ah well), just like what is a good film or a bad film. I hope it didn't wake you up from your fancy dream.

Thank you. Truer words have never been said. I never wondered why people call it groundbreaking or innovative when all these details were already dissected, discussed and confirmed numerous times from the creators of this film to the critics themselves. Though i'm glad some people have noticed that Tsui Hark was and always will be part of the art-form branch who just manage to sell themselves through the mainstream. I wouldn't call him underground though, not just because it very much limits his entire artistic range, but mainly because he never follows any ground, he just breaks it! I also can not even imagine what would have happened to the man who's so notoriously scared from too much attention directed at him by awards-loving public or just unnecessarily too much popularity, if he decided all of a sudden to follow the route of a typical mainstream filmmaker. Good lord!

As Tsui Hark's himself once said: "When i'm shooting the film, i always hope that there will be audience who will watch it. But i'm rather glad, when comes hundred people who will carry it in their memory, rather than million, who'll immediately forget it. For me is important, when the film is seen and understood by certain group of people - so the quality of reception, not of the amount of audience."

But when it comes to the general fodder for the brainwashed public like SPL or Kill Bill, which are just examples we're exposed to all the time nowadays. We're facing the same type of productive creation like KFC or McDonald. It's the same chase after the consumer, after the big numbers. And very often it's resulting with the films of the very similar quality. "Consumer" has the choice between cinematic KFC and McDonald. But while the negative consequences of such nurture are very much known to us, in the films it's still not fairly obvious. Though i believe it will be bad the same way - gradually progressive benumbing of the audience will lead to the marginal point, when people will stop reading, stop perceiving and understanding life. Fortunately, there are still readers as well as superior viewers, that are searching for the answers to the questions. And such insightful people are thankfully still much more valuable for movies like this.

By the way, i really don't know where those two previous trolls have crawled out from, but i think it's better to completely ignore them.

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

midnightexpress-1, I liked your post too, even though it's quite spot on as well about his constant groundbreaking nature, i still think that he's just vividly abusing mainstream for his own benefit. So you might as well put it like "he's been underground IN the mainstream", which is what some people always found as a critically unbalanced aspect in his career that just consequently suffered from, because Tsui Hark seems to be unaware himself which audience he's aiming for. Which i understand but sometimes also disagree, because in fact he usually happens to be a winner in both worlds as well, he can easily appease the public in the mainstream by the entertaining nature of his work, and just as well find his own true audience through the hidden mystical almost metaphysical complexity in his films that most of the time requires a certain level of education and a great deal of moral equanimity to be properly understood.

"I also can not even imagine what would have happened to the man who's so notoriously scared from too much attention directed at him by awards-loving public or just unnecessarily too much popularity, if he decided all of a sudden to follow the route of a typical mainstream filmmaker. Good lord!"

LOL. You know what would have happened? He'd quit with filmmaking! Don't you remember how he was frustrated from so much uneeded popularity after the commercial success of A Chinese Ghost Story, Peking Opera Blues and A Better Tomorrow released around the same time?! He completely retired from the directing chair for some time and started producing his little projects. Also, if i remember correctly from what he stated himself, that when he went to US, he picked up consciously undemanding formulaic projects that would be instrumental to him only as a little testing ground for the learning of the new technical developments in Hollywood, not a commercial ground. I believe that he's just that type of a guy who wittingly never wanted to break away from their own little independent turf, and rather remain inconspicuous in the eyes of most of the moviegoers. When i say independent, that mostly doesn't apply to many mainstream Hollywood directors, isn't it.

"By the way, i really don't know where those two previous trolls have crawled out from, but i think it's better to completely ignore them."

LOL. Why do you think I have already three of them from here on my ignore list, everyone can see that a few people here have a truly serious personal problem in their social life.

I won’t even bother responding to DEM. The infantile response like that by him one can only expect from the people who only believe their own BS. Which I respect, in fact I respect opinions, but I don’t suffer fools. That’s my last note here.

Adios.

[–] fallenangels 18 years ago

You know what would have happened? He'd quit with filmmaking! Don't you remember how he was frustrated from so much uneeded popularity after the commercial success of A Chinese Ghost Story, Peking Opera Blues and A Better Tomorrow released around the same time?! He completely retired from the directing chair for some time and started producing his little projects.

Sure, i understand that it was never his intention making movies for all this attention, he only wanted to keep the industry going and preserve the Chinese culture... but "QUIT"?! i'm not so sure about that. I think he wanted to quit due to the lack of originality and creativity that he was surrounded by in his Cinema City heydays, but i'm sure it was never a problem for him to run away from such attention once in a while.

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

Ok, that was just my presumption, if anything, then i believe he would retire from the cinema just for some time. But let's be happy that he's at least more honest to himself nowadays and rather doing films that are from his heart and not what the majority want to see. Even though what i'm missing the most from his recent films, is the lack of silliness that we all so much adored back then. Black Mask 2 was close but it's still was not as stupid, A Chinese Ghost Story Animation was the last one where he got it quite right. He should do another comedy once again.

[–] Diaraa 18 years ago

But when it comes to the general fodder for the brainwashed public like SPL or Kill Bill, which are just examples we're exposed to all the time nowadays. We're facing the same type of productive creation like KFC or McDonald. It's the same chase after the consumer, after the big numbers. And very often it's resulting with the films of the very similar quality. "Consumer" has the choice between cinematic KFC and McDonald. But while the negative consequences of such nurture are very much known to us, in the films it's still not fairly obvious. Though i believe it will be bad the same way - gradually progressive benumbing of the audience will lead to the marginal point, when people will stop reading, stop perceiving and understanding life. Fortunately, there are still readers as well as superior viewers, that are searching for the answers to the questions. And such insightful people are thankfully still much more valuable for movies like this.

My God, this is easily the most resonating statement i have seen on imdb in a long time. As it's so real and frighteningly true to our time today. People really don't care about the quality today or how the movie affects their heart and mind, just endless brainwashing by commercial mindless garbage draining from us everything what makes people intelligent and sensible. It seems that the popularity is the keyword to the quality today. I have seen Hero and SPL a couple of weeks ago, unfortunately, even if they were overall quite entertaining shlock, ultimately they can be also easily recognized for how perfectly this shlock meets the criteria of these unhealthy food industries.

I loved Seven Swods the first time i saw it, and still love it, not only because it's an enlightening masterpiece but mainly because i fully understood it and knew what it said to my life. So i must agree, here the popularity is no way a solution, it's a dead end, literally.

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

the movie was crap,and any movie critic wud laugh their a$$ off @ u if u said this was a masterpiece.
it got terrible reviews,and to seriously say this is a masterpiece shows your lack
of serious knowledge when it comes to movies,and that ur opinion is that of a young kid who just loves mediocre action movies

[–] fallenangels 18 years ago

Troll alert.

(Interesting as it was the critics in the first place who started calling it a masterpiece)

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] paradox_debaser 17 years ago

Phew, well thats the thousand years old issue of subjectivity vs. objectivity debate put to rest. Shame you weren't around a while back to put things straight!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Bijoubob8 18 years ago

Wow, finally some intelligent users on here, what a nice change of pace. I think we can all concur that SPL was sadly really average action fare, especially in terms of the quality, not just how entertaining it was. Although, i liked that film, it was not that bad, even though it was completely forgettable the minute it finally ended. Some nice action here and there, otherwise completely shallow. Seven Swords no doubt belongs in a different leaugue here, and i’m kinda proud of it, it makes me feel special just like the film to be honest.

Btw, am i the only one here who's wondering how come the user "dangerous lee handsome" aka "estebon spielbergo" (those two users are in fact one man with two accounts on here) is not banned out of here yet?! As i looked back he's a quite nice example of a really annoying troll, and idiotic at that. I wonder no one noticed of that except for me.
READ THIS: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007139/board/thread/54332101?d=54713451#54713451

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Bijoubob8 18 years ago

Wow, you're truly delusional. no buddy, you're a classic example of a troll. Those guys are possibly the only intelligent people here who are just discussing their opinions and you're the only trollish dickhead here who can not respect that. Dumbass!

READ THIS: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007139/board/thread/54332101?d=54713451#54713451

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Bijoubob8 18 years ago

What are you talking about. You think this is some kind of a game who'll give more negative comments?! You need reality check, or just grow up! Anyone who's bashing other posters because of their opinions need serious help. This spike of sickos and weirdos have nothing to do on IMDb. Such mental cases seriously need to be put in straightjackets and locked away. Period.

And if you want to go in this direction as well, you're welcome.

Ironically you're more unreasonable than you realize.

READ THIS: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007139/board/thread/54332101?d=54713451#54713451

[–] mjazz1 18 years ago

"Bijoubob8", i don't understand why you're making yourself this trouble, I wouldn't bother.. It is useless to try and debate in a mature way with some of these truly scary individuals. There are a few squatters who, for some unknown reason, feel that any adverse reaction to SPL or positive to Seven Swords is a personal attack against them. It is fascinating on one hand, but on the other hand it is like arguing with children.

I tried to produce some thought-provoking discussions but as you can see it is very rare to get any meaningful responses instead of the infantile name calling, sweeping misstatements and fabricated facts. But I appreciate the support :)

Oh, incidentally, there's such a button on your panel that'll help you to ignore some of these socially disturbed individuals who just need to get a life in the meantime.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] thhh2 18 years ago

to be honest, I just thought this movie was 2+ hours of showing off creative weaponry. Everything in the movie seemed to be so convenient for the main characters.

"My village requires your ancient super duper powerful weapons for it to be saved.."
"Sure take the ancient super duper powerful weapons, even though i don't know you or even if you're telling the truth."

although, their appeared to be a "struggle" in the film and some tragic events happening, i couldn't feel for any of the characters.

It wasn't all negative though, I did enjoy Donnie Yen's part of the story (even though it was shadowed by the story in Musa) and well yeah, the movie was quite pretty.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 17 years ago

I watched it again recently and I'm going to take back my previous statement. I previously said that the movie was alright but now I realize the movie SUCKS! I was bored out of my mind and turned it off 30 mins into it. Sorry fanboys if I don't share your opinions but that's just the way I feel!

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Right Guard commercial

[–] saygin77 17 years ago

Well, I just finished watching this movie and my first reaction is thinking how I spent my whole night so bad :( This is one of the most boring films I've ever seen.Seeing "Hero" or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" for the 10th time would be a much better option.
Just my thoughts.

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 17 years ago

Thank God for the person who invented the fast forward button LOL!

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Right Guard commercial

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Dangerous_Lee_Handsome 17 years ago

That's why all those "typical" commercial films have always very superficial style and everything used to be very flat and easy to understand.

This is just another "typical" "superficial" film except it tries to come across like an epic even though the plot, the acting and the fight scenes were anything but.

"Because anything else would be uncivilized."
-Hulk Hogan, Right Guard commercial

[–] RikkyRicardo 18 years ago

LMAO I CAN SAFELY SAY no credible movie reviewer has called this movie a masterpiece.stop lying just cause this movie got slated by critics

[–] Honest_Asian_Guy 18 years ago

SEVEN SWORDS: not a MASTERPIECE (masterpiece of crap? Maybe).

"El pollo loco to you too."