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| DVD Released by : Edko |
| Player reviewed with : Malata 520 |
| Receiver reviewed with : Sony 925 |
| Features: |
| Mandarin Soundtrack |
| English and Chinese Subtitles |
| Enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs |
| Trailer |
| Photo Gallery, Cast/Crew notes |
| Running Time : 119 mins. |
| Region 3 |
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS is Zhang Yimou's follow up to the immensely popular HERO. In comparison, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS is a much smaller movie. The relationships of the characters are the central focus and the political climate is but a backdrop. While the story itself isn't groundbreaking, it is very well executed with some unexpected plot twists.
Leo (Andy Lau) and Jun (Takeshi Kaneshiro) are government deputies and find the new leader of The House of Flying Daggers, a militia group sworn to fight the corrupt government. Leo sends Jun on a mission to befriend the blind daughter of the former leader of the group. This takes Leo to a brothel where the daughter, Mei (Zhang Ziyi) works. While Jun gets drunk and disorderly, Leo shows up and arrests both him and Mei. Mei is quickly exposed as a member of the House of Flying Daggers.
Mei is threatened with torture if she doesn't disclose the location and leader of the House of Flying Daggers. She is left bound in a cell. During the night she is rescued by Jun and they are off to see what he assumes will be the new leader of The House of Flying Daggers.
Jun and Mei encounter government troops early on but this is only to convince Mei that Jun is for real. The coming battles turn real but Leo is powerless to help because it has been ordered by the General. Jun's feelings for Mei grow even though during his preparation for this mission he was warned that he would only be acting a part. Jun wants to quit the mission but it doesn't stop the troops from hunting him and Mei.
On the 27 inch TV, the picture quality is very good but on the 47 inch screen, it is just about average. The print itself is almost flawless. There are very few imperfections but even that surprised me for a brand new film. The transfer itself lacks detail and isn't as clear as it should be on the big TV. There are also a few times when the picture looks too bright. These are relatively minor complaints. This doesn't look like a brand new Hollywood release, but it is good enough. The picture is good, just not what I was expecting from such a recent release.
There is a 5.1 Dolby Digital track and a DTS track. Both are in Mandarin. I found both mixes to be well done and they really put you in the center of the action. One scene in particular when Zhang Ziyi is playing the "Echo Game". Andy Lau hurls beans at an array of drums arranged in a circle. In the middle is Zhang Ziyi and she has to replicate the sounds with her sleeves while dancing. What starts as a bean at a time, eventually the whole bowl is hurled with beans hitting several drums. The rear speakers are used very well to make it sound like you are in the middle of all the drums. Overall, the mix is very well done and the surrounds are used to good effect.
I really enjoyed HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS and recommend it. Andy Lau puts in a great performance as Leo. He really nails the character. Takeshi Kaneshiro is also very good but I am used to him being in movies set in the present so it was odd at first to see him in a period film. I always am reminded of his characters in FALLEN ANGELS and CHUNGKING EXPRESS. Zhang Ziyi also gives a great effort as Mei. For those who were disappointed that she had little screen time in HERO will be happy to know she is in this movie a lot more.
There is a liberal amount of computer effects but they are very well done and really enhance the movie. They hold up after repeat viewing. There are some action scenes that are very creative and couldn't be done any other way.
I actually recommend that this is watched twice because after seeing it once you really pick up on things the second time around. It's almost a different movie.
-Matt Brown
Reviewed 11/10/2004
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