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Starring Asian superstar DONNIE YEN (IP Man, Seven Swords, ) Before Dr Sun Yat-Sen can become the Father of Modern China by instigating the revolution of 1911 that overthrows the Qing Dynasty he must survive the fateful date of October 15, 1905. Yat-Sen arrives in Hong Kong for a secret meeting to establish a united anti-Qing revolutionary front and over the distance of just thirteen blocks the one man who holds a nations fate must survive relentless attempts on his life with only five bodyguards. These are no ordinary bodyguards, instead these are a motley group of ordinary men and women who posses extraordinary fight skills. October 15, 1905 will be the day that ultimately shapes the life of these five unsung heroes and the history of China forever.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'Bodyguards and Assassins' is a Hong Kong action-drama feature that released in 2009 to positive reviews and was a hit at the box-office.
The movie was one of the most anticipated Hong Kong features of 2009 as it was a big budget multi-starrer. It was nominated for a record 18 Hong Kong Film Awards, winning 8 awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Nicholas Tse), Best Action Choreography, Best Original Film Score, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Make Up Design.
The story concentrates on the events occurring in 1905 when Sun Wen (revolutionary) intends to come to Hong Kong to discuss his plans for revolution with his coleagues to overthrow the corrupt and falling Qing Dynasty (rulers of China). As a result, the dynasty sends a group of dangerous assassins to kill Sun Wen, initiating a battle of good versus evil.
The first three quarters of the movie is pure character development and a build of emotions, which helps the audience connect with the actors. The start is slow, but the engaging storyline highly compensates. The movie then has a fantastic final thirty minutes where we experience tension, excitement and emotions to the max with a hint of action.
All the actors in the movie perform brilliantly. The ones who stand out are Wang Xueqi (Li Yutang) who produces a mature performance, the underrated Wang Po-chieh (Li Chongguang), Nicholas Tse (A'si) who won all the accolades and the scary Hu Jun (Hu Jun) who seems like a true villain.
Now coming to my favourite actor in the movie, Donnie Yen, he steals the show, even though he only plays a supporting character. He doesn't fight much in the movie but when he does, it's the best one. Yen on this occassion mainly works on the emotions and nails it. His performance in the movie has been overlooked for some reason.
The main flaw in the movie is that there are too many actors and not enough time to accomodate them. As a result of this there are too many sub-plots, which eat into each other. The other thing that works against the movie is the misleading title, trailer and marketing campaign which suggests that the movie is an out-and-out actioner with Donnie Yen in the lead. This is not the case as Yen is only a supporting actor and the movie is mainly drama and not much action barring the climax.
The direction provided by Teddy Chen who won best director at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards is worthy of an applause. He successfully managed to pull off a big budget movie with so many actors.
The background music score by Chan Kwong Wing and Peter Kam adds to the movies emotions.
All the action is saved for the end. It's well shot and exciting.
The movie starts slow, however if it's given some time and attention, you'll be blown away at the end.
'Bodyguards and Assassins' has moving drama that packs a punch.
The movie was one of the most anticipated Hong Kong features of 2009 as it was a big budget multi-starrer. It was nominated for a record 18 Hong Kong Film Awards, winning 8 awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Nicholas Tse), Best Action Choreography, Best Original Film Score, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Make Up Design.
The story concentrates on the events occurring in 1905 when Sun Wen (revolutionary) intends to come to Hong Kong to discuss his plans for revolution with his coleagues to overthrow the corrupt and falling Qing Dynasty (rulers of China). As a result, the dynasty sends a group of dangerous assassins to kill Sun Wen, initiating a battle of good versus evil.
The first three quarters of the movie is pure character development and a build of emotions, which helps the audience connect with the actors. The start is slow, but the engaging storyline highly compensates. The movie then has a fantastic final thirty minutes where we experience tension, excitement and emotions to the max with a hint of action.
All the actors in the movie perform brilliantly. The ones who stand out are Wang Xueqi (Li Yutang) who produces a mature performance, the underrated Wang Po-chieh (Li Chongguang), Nicholas Tse (A'si) who won all the accolades and the scary Hu Jun (Hu Jun) who seems like a true villain.
Now coming to my favourite actor in the movie, Donnie Yen, he steals the show, even though he only plays a supporting character. He doesn't fight much in the movie but when he does, it's the best one. Yen on this occassion mainly works on the emotions and nails it. His performance in the movie has been overlooked for some reason.
The main flaw in the movie is that there are too many actors and not enough time to accomodate them. As a result of this there are too many sub-plots, which eat into each other. The other thing that works against the movie is the misleading title, trailer and marketing campaign which suggests that the movie is an out-and-out actioner with Donnie Yen in the lead. This is not the case as Yen is only a supporting actor and the movie is mainly drama and not much action barring the climax.
The direction provided by Teddy Chen who won best director at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards is worthy of an applause. He successfully managed to pull off a big budget movie with so many actors.
The background music score by Chan Kwong Wing and Peter Kam adds to the movies emotions.
All the action is saved for the end. It's well shot and exciting.
The movie starts slow, however if it's given some time and attention, you'll be blown away at the end.
'Bodyguards and Assassins' has moving drama that packs a punch.
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a film in two halfs in my opinion, the first hour is slow and it sets the scene for the second hour which is mainly action packed. I was alittle bored by the first hour as not alot happens, but it does set up a few good characters. The second part I really enjoyed and was on the edge of my seat all the way through it. I did however prefer the action scenes in Ip Man and Empress and the Warriors.
Don't be miss lead by the film having Donnie Yen on the front as his character isnt in it that much and he is involved in one fight scene near the end of the movie. Overall this is a decent film which is a must see for fans of Chinese history and not one for action fans.
Don't be miss lead by the film having Donnie Yen on the front as his character isnt in it that much and he is involved in one fight scene near the end of the movie. Overall this is a decent film which is a must see for fans of Chinese history and not one for action fans.
10 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This epic story set in Hong Kong at the turn of the 20th Century directed by Teddy Chan and starring Donnie Yen who appeared in Blade 2 in blink and you miss him part of Snowman, for some this film would be a bit slow and if you are expecting a martial arts type of movie where the characters seem to start fighting for no particular reason you will be disappointed, the fighting that is in the movie is all part of the plot and not the only reason to make the film.
I found the combat scenes involving swords and other oriental weapons such as metal fans and the like pretty spectacular especially the scene in the Opera house and the closing street battle where the actors are not only fighting hand to hand but bouncing off buildings and fending attacks from crossbows from above street level, all this is set against the visit of Doctor Sun who has come to talk.
The running time of 139 minutes for me just melted away as I got involved in the story, the DVD is presented in 2.25:1 aspect and has an excellent 5.1 surround track that bangs and crashes at the right moments this film is entertaining not only for the action but for the acting and story.
I found the combat scenes involving swords and other oriental weapons such as metal fans and the like pretty spectacular especially the scene in the Opera house and the closing street battle where the actors are not only fighting hand to hand but bouncing off buildings and fending attacks from crossbows from above street level, all this is set against the visit of Doctor Sun who has come to talk.
The running time of 139 minutes for me just melted away as I got involved in the story, the DVD is presented in 2.25:1 aspect and has an excellent 5.1 surround track that bangs and crashes at the right moments this film is entertaining not only for the action but for the acting and story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
awesome pre-second WW China!
This movie is one of the best asian movies I have ever seen. It has a good story, good acting and good fighting scenes!. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tan
Action packed? Not really...
Action packed? Not really...
I bought this film after viewing IP-Man and the action in this film does not meet my expectations. Read more
I bought this film after viewing IP-Man and the action in this film does not meet my expectations. Read more
Published 15 months ago by A. Kiousopoulos
Where is Donnie Yen?
I will get to the point. Donnie Yen is hardly in it and not worth buying if you are after a typical Donnie Yen action movie. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mo
Best for World cinema fans NOT Martial arts/action fans
The first thing I would say about this film is that if you're looking for an action film look elsewhere. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Valen's Shadow
Excellent
Now i want it known that I loved this film it is the 2nd best Martial arts movie I have ever seen (just behind IP Man). Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mj Duce
Good film but you have to be into this kind of film
The story is based on the uncharted time of Chinese history towards the end of Ching Dynasty. Although the name of the main characters were real, the actual details of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by A. Lowe
Bit of a let down
Film was ok and when there was action it was entertaining
it was so slow to start and the only real action was in the last 15 minutes
Worst Donnie Yen film... Read more
it was so slow to start and the only real action was in the last 15 minutes
Worst Donnie Yen film... Read more
Published 23 months ago by M. J. Farrow
could have been so much better
i do not want to repeat the good thing about what everybody else has said of the movie but i would like to add why i think this is a 3 star movie for me because up until it gets to... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Keyboard Knight
all round package
this is one of the most anticipated pictures of 2009 and it did not fail to deliver, as a whole it entertained and did something that a lot of HK films fail to do; by creating... Read more
Published on 29 April 2010 by Simian
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