Post by idolfan on Oct 5, 2012 23:22:14 GMT 7
The Assassins
Three Kingdoms historical epic The Assassins is directed by first time filmmaker Zhao Linshan and is produced by Zhang Yimou's Oscar-winning crew, and stars A-list actors from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China like Chow Yun Fat, Liu Yi Fei, Alec Su, Annie Yi, Qiu Xinzhi, Yao Lu, Ni Dahong, as well as Japanese superstar Tamaki Hiroshi, who plays Liu Yi Fei's fellow assassin and love interest.
Chow Yun Fatt portrays an excellent and commanding role of Cao Cao. He understands the character very well, showing his intelligence and conviction and even compassion at different points. During the Three Kingdom period, Cao Cao stands as the last pillar of power preventing the collapse of the Han throne. Alec Su plays the puppet Emperor Xian who cares more about music and poems rather than his power and country. But when he heard rumors that Cao Cao is after his throne, he plot to assassinate Cao Cao that’s been years in the making. He provided some light hearted moments amidst the heavy political backdrop of the ministers and generals of the court.
An ancient prophecy states that when the four elemental starts to align, a new dynasty will arise. With the weakened government and impending omen, Cao Cao has enemies everywhere, even at home and they all want him dead. Someone has been abducting the children of Cao Cao’s dead enemies and training them to be assassins in a prisoner-of-war camp. In 221 A.D., they are all grown up and sent to infiltrate Bronze Sparrow Tower. Bronze Sparrow Tower was a palace complex Cao Cao had built in Yecheng after defeating the Yuan brothers there and it was far more than just a pleasure palace where Cao Cao composed poems and made his home, it was the symbol of his power at its height.
The assassins here are a pair of young lovers who grew up together in the assassin training camp. Liu Yi Fei gave a heartfelt performance as Ling Ju, who has been sent to the Bronze Sparrow Tower to be Cao Cao’s concubine. Her love interest is Mu Shun played by Japanese actor, Tamaki Hiroshi. Their mission is to assassin the most powerful warlord in the Three Kingdom, Cao Cao. There were not much war scenes and blood sheds but nevertheless still packs a punch as the story builds up and makes this an engaging watch. The rest of the cast includes, Qiu Xin Zhi who plays Cao Cao’s power hungry and ambitious son, Cao Pi, Annie Yi plays Empress Fu and Yao Lu who plays Ji Ben, Cao Cao’s doctor.
“The Assassins” distributed by RAM Entertainment is now showing at cinemas nationwide.
Liu Yi Fei as Ling Ju and Chow Yun Fat as Cao Cao
Tamaki Hiroshi as Mu Chun with his love interest, Ling Ju (Liu Yi Fei)