Mountain FogThe Storm Warriors: review with trailer
December 2nd 2009 11:50
A battle scene in The Storm Warriors
The Storm Warriors is being promoted as the biggest CGI film to date and the biggest and most expensive martial arts film ever made. This is not a sequel, as such, to the successful Storm Riders (1998); it is a new storyline with the same leads, pop idols Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng, both of whom reprise their original warrior roles as Striding Cloud (Kwok) and Whispering Wind (Cheng).
This fantastical martial arts action film was inspired by the hugely popular comic book series, Fung Wang, written by Ma Wing Shing, who is also the screen writer for The Storm Warriors. One comic in particular, The Death Battle, was chosen as the film’s main theme, by the co-directors Danny and Oxide Pang. The Pang brothers are widely known throughout Asia and have worked together on many projects including; The Eye, Kung Fu Hustle and Re-Cycle, as co-directors. Danny Pang also co-edited The Storm Riders.
The film is a quirky mix of stylised comic book action sequences, mythology and massive CGI battle scenes, yet, it is not just this. The battle between good and evil is set midst a primary notion, that China has often been attacked, but never defeated and usurped, in all its long history. Some might see the film as a cautionary tale for the current era; warning everyone that China's enduring existence is due to an indefatigable iron will to survive any onslaught, at any price.
Simon Yam as Lord Godless
An obvious reference to this fact, is the evil Japanese warlord, Lord Godless (Simon Yam), who intends on finding what symbolises China’s strength and unity, the symbol of her spiritual foundation, the Dragon Bones (Lung Mak), long hidden in the labyrinth under the Emperor’s Palace. Once obtained, Lord Godless can then rule China unchallenged, just as Japan attempted to do during World War 2, by controlling the weak young Emperor.
Massive flying sword attack on Lord Godless
The Emperor (Patrick Tam) only appears after he has become the captive of Lord Godless and his son Heart (Nicholas Tse). The Emperor seems wholly lacking in the powerful pride known to be associated with the real historical Emperors of ancient China. I wondered whether the portrayal of a weak and ineffectual Emperor, only as powerful as the men who protect him, was also a subtle socio-political comment.
Lord Godless and his men search for the Dragon Bones
Of the two female supporting star roles; Chu Chu, (played by Tang Yan) saves Cloud’s life twice, at great physical cost to herself; the symbology of the female sacrificing herself for someone she loves, suggesting an overpowering maternal instinct, may seem old fashioned, if not slightly debasing, in the eyes of modern Western liberated women, but it is obviously still highly regarded in China today.
Recovering, Chu Chu accompanies Cloud on his journey to get help to defeat Lord Godless; she is Cloud’s emotional balance, attempting to bring some sensitivity and insight to the brawny, heroic and vengeance filled world of the male warrior.
Cloud with Charlene Choi as Second Dream
Then there is Second Dream, (played by Charlene Choi) who is the only daughter of Mou Lam, the legend "King of Broadsword". Second Dream is also an able warrior, who helps Wind prepare for battle with Lord Godless. Choi’s character is not only useful in a sword fight; she also acts as a much needed feminine counterbalance to the ego fuelled machismo of Wind.
Chu Chu played by Tang Yan
The other support roles; the handsome Kenny Ho, who plays Nameless, a Mou Lam legend, who has lost nearly all his superior skills in martial arts and so cannot defeat Lord Godless, tells Wind and Cloud they might be able to defeat Godless, if they can combine their skills. But it turns out to be an unsteady union, of good and evil.
Then there is the comedic character of The Piggy King, played by Lam Suet, who I did not find as humorous, as he was repellently gluttonous, who leads the warriors to Lord Wicked, played by Kenny Wong, who they find out gave in to the evil dark force, in order to defeat his enemies, and so he instructs that one of the two, Cloud and Wind, must take the path of evil, if they want to succeed.
So, there are interweaving threads of morality choices and self sacrifice throughout the film, which alternates between the fury of a tsunami in the battles and all too brief philosophical moments.
However, most who come to see this movie will want to see a good fight, and there is plenty of that! Seventy minutes of the film involves combat action and the entire film is only 100 minutes long!
The stunt/action choreography was by Ma Yuk Sing, and he left nothing to want for in the action sequences, which are fast and furious. The sword fighting sequences appear extremely dangerous at times and well rehearsed to appear realistic.
However, as the film is based on a comic book, there are fantastical moments woven into most scenes, making them less believable but quite spectacular to watch. This is a martial arts fan’s feast.
Cloud stirring up a fire storm
The film was shot in Bangkok, on three massive film stages (5,600 m2 combined) all prepared for Blue/Green Screen. Regrettably, I am unable to name the cinematographer, who did an excellent job, as the crew lists online do not name him!
Fat Face Productions was in charge of post production. I found that, amazing as many sequences of CGI were, which range from homage to comic book art style to realism, there were a few flaws, for example; with the flattened, two dimensional, background appearance to the actual set piece and actors in foreground, particularly when they enter the cave of Lord Wicked, and a small smattering of loose joins, slight background focus distortion and lighting imbalances that detracted from the effects at times. But these criticisms are minor compared to the overall success of the work.
The CGI action sequences are epic, artistic and dramatically drawn, at times it looked like an enthralling, massive work of art come to life. Following, is a comparison of 'before and after' with the green screen effects.
NOTE (Green Screen is another form of the original Blue Screen technology. Each has its merits for use in certain enviroments, considerations for which range from; skin tones, costume and physical set colours, to indoors/outdoors lighting, to post production effects technology to be used)
Green Screen background as action shot
Same scene with post production work added
I couldn’t help ponder that the Pangs may have been better off using the “The Red One” digital camera system; (as was used in Knowing) which allows the DOP and director to instantly see the finished result on set, right after shooting, as it feeds the (previously created) CGI environment into the camera as it shoots the scene at hand. This system allows the DOP to check lighting etc and the director can view the overall product, without having to wait ages for film development and colouring and whatnot. If it didn’t work that take, they can immediately re-shoot. In film making, time is always money.
The evil side of Wind battles Lord Godless
One other small quibble; I found, at times, the inexplicable and sudden appearance of characters, defying time and distance, slightly confusing, especially during the final fight sequence, which also seemed just a tad over-protracted and so I felt that also detracted from the experience. However, martial arts fantasy fans will probably disagree.
Ekin Cheng as Whispering Wind, in evil form
Yee Chung-Man (Art Director) created a mixture of elaborate costumes and props borrowing from various eras and cultures, it would seem. The combined effect is curiously unusual; a kind of romanticised blending of English Medieval Knight, with ancient Japanese warrior and Chinese Imperial styles.
However, if you are a lover of martial arts, fantasy and comic book style, you will find a lot to feast upon, when viewing The Storm Warriors.
The Storm Warriors gives big bang for your buck!
teaser poster copyrighted see below
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS: CINE ASIA
RELEASE DATE: ASIA AND AUSTRALASIA: DECEMBER 10 2009.
Directed by
Danny Pang and Oxide Pang
Produced by
Pang Brothers
Written by
Ma Wing Shing
Starring
Aaron Kwok
Ekin Cheng
Simon Yam
Tang Yan
Charlene Choi
Kenny Ho
Lam Suet
Kenny Wong
Studio Universe Entertainment
Sil-Metropole
Chengtian Entertainment
Distributed by Universe Films Distribution Co. Ltd.
Release date: December 10, 2009
Country Hong Kong
Language Cantonese
Budget HK$100,000,000
IMAGE CREDITS: ALL IMAGES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED COPYRIGHT OF PUBLISHER AND/OR PRODUCERS OF "THE STORM WARRIORS" FILM.
FAIR USE RATIONALE: IMAGES USED WITH WRITTEN PERMISSION OF CINEASIA DISTRIBUTORS. IMAGES USED SOLELY FOR THIS FILM REVIEW ARTICLE.
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Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Mountain Fog
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Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
yeah I'd like to see the first one too. I did wonder at times what was going on in this iflm, there are definite technical flaws, which surprised me actually. And the sotry leaps around a bit. In the end, it is aimed at a young market who get off on the fighting I guess. But, it also appeared quite artistic too at times.
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
yeah it has some amazing CGI in it for sure, and I'd go to see it for that, rather than trying to keep pace with what each character is up to at times! According to one of the star's online site, there are only 200 lines in the entire film!
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
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Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
wow...I've never had a full sized review for a comment before!
As I had not seen the first film, like you, I am unable to make a comparison, however, as I pointed out there are technical faults, even storyline problems, but, at the end of the day, it does deliver for the type of market it was aimed at, which is all biff and slash and not too much else!
cheers
fog
Comment by eh
quote: "One other small quibble; I found, at times, the sudden appearance of characters and then their fates (were they killed or not?) slightly confusing, "
I am very certain that you were confused, because the image that was captioned 'Cloud with Chu Chu played by Tang Yan', is actually' Cloud with Second Dream played by Charlene Choi', while the second image of 'Charlene Choi as Second Dream ' is actually Chu Chu herself.
Comment by Mountain Fog
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Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
If the titles of the characters for the women are confused, you can blame CINEASIA for sending me incorrectly titled photographs.
But thanks for your obviously gloating remarks.
I will check with CINEASIA on Monday and see what they say.
However, all my criticisms stand, with or without your pedantic and petty point scoring!.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Mountain Fog
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Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
you are welcome to express your opinion and thank you for doing so.
I had my reservations and criticisms about many aspects of the production, yet I cut the makers some slack, as it was a big first step into main stream Western release for this type of film.
cheers
fog