Plot:
A southern king is attacked by rivals from the north. He authorizes a competition organized by the Grand Tutor where members of each clan sends 3 representatives to fight to become the Grand Marshal, the head of the army.
Review (spoilers below): Women in this film serve as no more than plot devices for the men, each one dies only to further the plot of the men around her. Their deaths lack any sort of agency.
After Don Yilong figures out that he is a northern prince, the story disregards that important piece and it isn't used at all in the final showdown. He doesn't reveal himself to the northern troops to stop the slaughter nor does he attempt to negotiate with the southern king. After he fights and saves the king it's like his friendship with Chu Hun means nothing as they mention they will be on opposing sides from now on. That's a waste of the camaraderie they developed throughout the movie.
Review (spoilers below): Women in this film serve as no more than plot devices for the men, each one dies only to further the plot of the men around her. Their deaths lack any sort of agency.
After Don Yilong figures out that he is a northern prince, the story disregards that important piece and it isn't used at all in the final showdown. He doesn't reveal himself to the northern troops to stop the slaughter nor does he attempt to negotiate with the southern king. After he fights and saves the king it's like his friendship with Chu Hun means nothing as they mention they will be on opposing sides from now on. That's a waste of the camaraderie they developed throughout the movie.