From its looks, you'd be forgiven for thinking that The Assassin's Blade was a Jeff Lau film, with its bright colours, humorous opening fight scene, wild characters and crazed selection of weapons, But the fact is that this is a retitling of Jingle Ma's rom-com, wu xia film, The Butterfly Lovers!
While based upon a legendary myth, its story has been told a thousand times in many kung-fu movies. The super-cute Charlene Choi plays Yan Gi, who dresses as a man to learn martial arts from a famed school. We've seen it all before, and probably told much better with less flaws than this offers...
But even at that, there is something charming about The Assassin's Blade that I just enjoy watching. Perhaps its the more light-hearted approach to it, perhaps its the incredible Tony Ching Siu Tung's wonderful action sequences, or perhaps its the gorgeous Wu Chun - star of 14 Blades, My Kingdom, and Saving General Yang. Or maybe its all of the above!
Suiting its original title more than its new one, the film has taken a bad wrap from critics and fans of the genre with its miscasting, and blend of serious drama and romance, with humorous fight scenes and rom-com type situations. But if you go in to this knowing what its ingredients are, you'll be less disappointed. Personally, I really enjoy it - and besides, doesn't almost every Hong Kong film mix their genres?
Cinematographer-turned-director Jingle Ma is very much a hit-and-miss film-maker. He can make some exciting stuff, though can often disappoint. The Butterfly Lovers is shot beautifully, with some gorgeous sets and locations that fill every shot. It moves along at a great pace without ever boring, and I think this would be one of his better offerings along with Mulan and Tokyo Raiders (in terms of action movies).
The cast is plumped up with the addition of the legendary Ti Lung as Choi's dad, and fan favourite (no pun intended) Fan Siu Wong who ges to show some incredible moves in his cameo. And then we have Clubfoot himself, Hung Yan Yan as the head of the martial arts school on Soul Ease Mountain.
As mentioned, the great Ching Siu Tung handles the films fight choreography, delivering a host of fantastic fights spread evenly throughout. From the attack on Wu Chun at the inn, to the beautifully shot, yet brutal end battle between the latter and psycho, Hu Ge as Bro Ma - the head of security for Choi's family, who will have poor Charlene as his bride no-matter-what!
It all leads to a heart-breaking and darker final 30 minutes, as the legend of these young lovers comes to a head, and we learn what the power of love was really all about in ancient China...
Overall: One of Jingle Ma's better offerings, The Assassin's Blade offers some great martial arts action and beautiful cinematography, all wrapped up in a heart-breaking tale of young love!
