Movie Review - 300 & Red Cliff

300 (M18)


Ratings*****


300 starring Gerard Butler is a spectacular movie with stunning visuals and must not to be missed. The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller spills your screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious battle violence and a very intense blend of action sequence retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae depicting the titanic clash in whcih King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against King Xerxes and his massive Persian army. 


Rated M-18, it is a battle still being told today of the Spartans fighting abilities, bravery, tactics and how they overcame great odds. All people who aspire to overcome great odds and in need of inspiration for victory and courageneed to watch this movie.
While before this historical event, all nations would meekly surrender, they were later inspired by the Spartans and fought the Persians. Such a good movie can be had for only S$6.95 and can be found at Laser Flair outlets if you have not already seen it.


Red Cliff (NC16)

Ratings*****

In the final days of the Han Dynasty, the shrewd and cunning Prime Minister Cao Cao convined the Han Emperor that the only way to unite China was to declare war on the kingdoms of Xu in the west and East Wu in the south. Set in 208 AD, a military campaign began with unprecedented scale causing the two kingdoms to form an alliance with numerous battles on land and sea culminating in the battle of Red Cliff. 


Starring Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro as General Zhou Yu and military strategist Zhuge Liang combining their brilliance in thinking and their leadership leading their much smaller troops compared to Cao Cao's 800,000 troops. Little touches showcasing Cao Cao's thirst for power and Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang's intelligence, compassion and their calm minds and throw in John Woo's swashbuckling Hollywood action sequences, slo mo and feel good factors in production and you have a film not to be missed especially if you are a fan of Romance of The Three Kingdoms. 


The depiction of using the "Bak Kua" formation derived from the tortoise's contoured shell was interesting eventhough outdated.
Fighting scenes were nice and well done. What do you expect from John Woo? The guy could film someone spitting saliva and make it exciting complete with slow motion. I'm eagerly waiting for the second part of the movie which has yet to be released.

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