28 August 2009

Dong Xie Xi Du

I watched Ashes of Time Redux on DVD today (Thanks PK). I saw the original years ago, I remember liking it but not crazy about it. It was pretty much the same this time around. It's got a lot of pretty, stunning images and philosophical exchanges and longings. There's fresh and quite unexpected take on characters' backstories for people who are familiar with Jing Yong's novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. There's Wong Kar Wai's signature visual style and flair that delight the eyes. But as a movie, as a whole, it's just missing a jolt of energy. I understand he was trying to redefine the genre and breaking new grounds. He certainly twisted the conventions and aesthetics of a typical kung fu movie. But when he decided to obliterate the spirit of a kung fu / wire fu film, many parts of this film just became faded, stalled, dull and lifeless. The dialog and getting-to-know the characters parts are nice, but why do we want to care how they are related to each other or see how nicely they are lit and filmed if most of them appear to be unlikeable, pretentious, and one-dimensional, and always act like they're so disconnected and miserable? I don't know, generally I'm a big fan of Wong Kar Wai. I just don't think this is among his best work.

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