SPOILER: OK, I was excited about seeing this movie in the theater on the big screen. I couldn't understand why I movie I thought was interesting, entertaining and beautiful with great acting performances was only receiving mediocre reviews. Then, I saw the movie. They totally re-edited the movie from the version I have on DVD! There were parts that were cut out that were important to the storyline. Like the part where the goddess shows General Guangming the King being killed my the master of the master of the Crimson armor. It wasn't in there at all. So when Kunlun went to save the King it didn't make sense because it wasn't established that the King was even in danger. And we were supposed to have seen the King killed and known Kunlun was going to do it as part of the theme of destiny being impossible to change. The entire movie's overall plot was based on destiny and that whole scene was a major part of establishing Kunlun's destiny to be with Qingcheung and the General's destiny to lose the armor and his status. There were more edits and changes made also. All of them important to the storyline. It wasn't even the same movie anymore! I'm extremely angry with the Director Chen Kaige for doing this to his work (or allowing it to be done). The China Version on DVD is way better and I'm sticking to that. The only thing that save it for me was the acting performances. I recommend seeing More Nic Tse Movies like Jade Goddess of Mercy or Moving Targets or New Police Story with Jakie Chan. And Everyone should see Tae Guk Gi, One of the best war movie I think, it's starring Jang Dong-goon.
136 Reviews
The running of the bulls.
jotix10012 May 2006
Most comments for "The Promise", or "Wu Ji", on the IMDb forum are mainly negative. While it's obvious a film that could have been better, it still offers a stunning look that Chen Kaige has given it. It helps he was working with an excellent cinematographer, Peter Pau, who photographed this film with lovingly care. The result are exquisite images that might not mean a lot to the fans of films of this genre, but will delight others, like this viewer, who is not into this type of fantasy film. The music of Klaus Badelt plays well in the context of the movie. The film has some of the fabulous costumes of any film in recent memory.
It's easy to dismiss the film as a total failure. Other, more recent fare is cited as being much better, which could be true. But actually to experience the film as a gorgeous fantasy out of the talented director Chen Kaige's mind is worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, judging by the screening we attended recently, this film has not found an audience.
Dong-Kun-Jang is impressive as Kunlun. Hiroyuki Sanada also does good work as the General Quianming. The gorgeous Cecilia Cheung lends her beauty to her character, Princess Qingcheng.
The director will surely recover from this experience and concentrate on a more worthwhile story for his next venture. Chen Kaige deserves better and he will surely rise from the ashes like the magnificent phoenix he is.
It's easy to dismiss the film as a total failure. Other, more recent fare is cited as being much better, which could be true. But actually to experience the film as a gorgeous fantasy out of the talented director Chen Kaige's mind is worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, judging by the screening we attended recently, this film has not found an audience.
Dong-Kun-Jang is impressive as Kunlun. Hiroyuki Sanada also does good work as the General Quianming. The gorgeous Cecilia Cheung lends her beauty to her character, Princess Qingcheng.
The director will surely recover from this experience and concentrate on a more worthwhile story for his next venture. Chen Kaige deserves better and he will surely rise from the ashes like the magnificent phoenix he is.
Promisedly disappointment
djlee-218 December 2005
I had been forced to see a huge hypes bombing all over the places in Beijing, and according to all the news reports there were no any direct critical voices. And after I did watch the movie, it turned to be a huge disappointment and I doubt if the criticism has been banned by media for commercial and Golden Awards reasons?
YES, it is a BAD film. Story is simple and seems wanted to tell something but you may still have to have a script or novel in details on-hand to be able to understand what the earth the director Chen wants to talk about through such dull story(or I doubt if he have the ability to tell in this movie). As the casting stars are mainly not native Mandarin speakers (apart from Liu Ye)and have sort of facetious accent,It is rather making native Mandarin speakers such as me feel upset.It is not an important consideration for non-Chinese speaker but I got to let everybody aware that-- The dialogues in the film is rather awkward and afflictive and It is a film that can be ruined by the accents indeed.
And in terms of CG part, it is really so-so compared with the pre-declaration that it was gonna be "a Chinese Lord of the rings" movie--Anyhow I don't think anybody will dare to allege that again after watching it. For instance, I still felt like watching a PC-game effects at the most costly scene when the thousands of uruses rushing in the valley at the start of the film.
And in terms of martial art part, it is just another application of "Gravity Zero" technics popularised by Hong Kong movie industry.
As a director had ever made masterpieces such as "The Emperor and the Assassin" and "Farewell, My Concubine", Chen Kaige fails to make another remarkable movie ( comparably big investment is exceptional).
YES, it is a BAD film. Story is simple and seems wanted to tell something but you may still have to have a script or novel in details on-hand to be able to understand what the earth the director Chen wants to talk about through such dull story(or I doubt if he have the ability to tell in this movie). As the casting stars are mainly not native Mandarin speakers (apart from Liu Ye)and have sort of facetious accent,It is rather making native Mandarin speakers such as me feel upset.It is not an important consideration for non-Chinese speaker but I got to let everybody aware that-- The dialogues in the film is rather awkward and afflictive and It is a film that can be ruined by the accents indeed.
And in terms of CG part, it is really so-so compared with the pre-declaration that it was gonna be "a Chinese Lord of the rings" movie--Anyhow I don't think anybody will dare to allege that again after watching it. For instance, I still felt like watching a PC-game effects at the most costly scene when the thousands of uruses rushing in the valley at the start of the film.
And in terms of martial art part, it is just another application of "Gravity Zero" technics popularised by Hong Kong movie industry.
As a director had ever made masterpieces such as "The Emperor and the Assassin" and "Farewell, My Concubine", Chen Kaige fails to make another remarkable movie ( comparably big investment is exceptional).
Chen Kaige and his ex-camera man Zhang Yimou, who never quite made the grade as a look-alike Hollywood director
harry_tk_yung16 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Back in the days when China made real movies and not impersonations of Hollywood special effect shows, Zhang was Chen's camera man in "Yellow Earth" (1984). As the years went by, "inspired" by Hollywood fame and fortune, but lacking the heart and soul of Ang Lee, Zhang went ahead to make flashy and empty "Heroes", and outright trashy "House of Flying Dagger". Chen finally cannot resist the lure, and made "The promise" which, however, shows who is still master when compared with Zhang, who seems anxious to show the world, in "Heroes", that he is incapable of handling more than one colour scheme in a frame.
Still flashy and showy, "The promise" at least does not pretend to be anything else other than a fantasy of raw emotions. The characters, at least, are interesting. In her idiotic simplicity, Cecilia Cheung's character has a degree of fascination. The four men provide a field of varied contrasts, and are well casted. The simple, all-goodness slave is convincingly portrayed by Korean Jang Dong-Kun. Japanese Sanada Hiroyuki has the flare and charisma for the indomitable spirit of the general who is all egos. Then, it is certainly a pleasure to see Nicholas Tse in a role that could have been written for Johnny Depp, the evil and slightly campy duke. The one I like best, however, is Liu Ye, in a role that better than perfect for him, tragic to the bones.
Nothing much to say about the photography and CGI effects other than keep your eyes wild open, for the entire movie, if you like that sort of thing. The script, because it is set within the realm of COMPLETE FANTASY, is surprisingly well done and even coherent. Not such a bad movie from director Chen for the Hollywood market, and certainly far superior to the two turned out by his ex-cameraman I mentioned.
Still flashy and showy, "The promise" at least does not pretend to be anything else other than a fantasy of raw emotions. The characters, at least, are interesting. In her idiotic simplicity, Cecilia Cheung's character has a degree of fascination. The four men provide a field of varied contrasts, and are well casted. The simple, all-goodness slave is convincingly portrayed by Korean Jang Dong-Kun. Japanese Sanada Hiroyuki has the flare and charisma for the indomitable spirit of the general who is all egos. Then, it is certainly a pleasure to see Nicholas Tse in a role that could have been written for Johnny Depp, the evil and slightly campy duke. The one I like best, however, is Liu Ye, in a role that better than perfect for him, tragic to the bones.
Nothing much to say about the photography and CGI effects other than keep your eyes wild open, for the entire movie, if you like that sort of thing. The script, because it is set within the realm of COMPLETE FANTASY, is surprisingly well done and even coherent. Not such a bad movie from director Chen for the Hollywood market, and certainly far superior to the two turned out by his ex-cameraman I mentioned.
Chinese fairy-tale in computer graphics
dromasca9 December 2006
Director Kaige Chen became known world-wide with 'Farewell My Concumbine', then tried his luck in Hollywood with disappointing results, and here he is now back in China, joining the trend of Chinese historic-fairy tale-martial art movies. The result is not bad, although I have seen much better movies in the genre.
'Wu Ji' ('The Promise') abandons from start any pretension of realism or historic truth and by using not very sophisticated computer graphics and a Disney palette of colors places itself in legend realm. It's a fairy tale, with princesses and kings and faithful slaves and lovers and imbroglios, all mixed in quite a convincing manner, and acted with less the the usual far-east theatricality that in some cases rejects the western public understanding. The amount of martial arts and gravity defying tricks is a bit lower than in other films, and this happens at the expense of sentiments, which is not bad, and gives the movie a more human touch I personally liked. Without being perfect and reaching the heights of other Chinese films in the last years it's still an acceptable product in its genre.
'Wu Ji' ('The Promise') abandons from start any pretension of realism or historic truth and by using not very sophisticated computer graphics and a Disney palette of colors places itself in legend realm. It's a fairy tale, with princesses and kings and faithful slaves and lovers and imbroglios, all mixed in quite a convincing manner, and acted with less the the usual far-east theatricality that in some cases rejects the western public understanding. The amount of martial arts and gravity defying tricks is a bit lower than in other films, and this happens at the expense of sentiments, which is not bad, and gives the movie a more human touch I personally liked. Without being perfect and reaching the heights of other Chinese films in the last years it's still an acceptable product in its genre.
If the brothers Grimm would have been Chinese...
damien-1623 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I don't understand why so many commentators seem annoyed or even offended by The Promise? Is it because it doesn't correspond to their pre-conceived idea of Chen Kaige? So what? Let's take the movie at its own value. This is a fairytale, not a martial arts film. Comparisons with Hero or CTHD are not appropriate. Rather compare it to the many serials on Chinese television with flying goddesses and white haired sorcerers in fiery caves. The Promise is a de-luxe version of these folk legends, visually stunning, beautifully coloured and with all the lack of logic you also find in European fairy tales and folk stories. The closest equivalent are the stories of the brothers Grimm with all their magic and their violence and not necessarily a happy ending. The Promise created its own cinematic universe and I had no problem entering into it. When the film cane to its end I was sorry I could not stay longer in Chen Kaige's magical kingdom.
Gorgeous film, just a little vapid
rsaintj12 May 2006
I think folks here are being a little harsh on THE PROMISE. For the sake of brevity, I'll say this: I found it more engaging than HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS and as gorgeous (if not more so) than HERO. The special effects were the finest I've seen to come out of Asia, ever; some surpassed REVENGE OF THE SITH, though they've got some little work left to do on LOTR-like effects with Massive and compositing overall.
But overall, I thought it was an exceptionally entertaining film with some fine performances. Almost as good as HERO overall, and very, erm, promising for Chen Kaige. I'd skipped THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN because it seemed so close to HERO, but now I'm going to track it down.
But overall, I thought it was an exceptionally entertaining film with some fine performances. Almost as good as HERO overall, and very, erm, promising for Chen Kaige. I'd skipped THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN because it seemed so close to HERO, but now I'm going to track it down.
This movie is a combination of 'Hero' and 'Bulletproof Monk'
Movieguy_blogs_com10 May 2006
SPOILER: In 'The Promise' Cecilia Cheung plays Qingcheng, an orphan girl trying to survive. While on a battlefield, she tries to find scraps of food from the dead soldiers to bring back to her sick mother. While trying to escape the son of one of the generals, Qingcheng runs into the goddess Manshen (Hong Chen). Manshen informs Qingcheng that her mother is dead and strikes a deal with her. From this day forth Qingcheng will always live in luxury, but every man she falls in love with she will eventually lose. Qingcheng agrees to the bargain.
This movie is a combination of 'Hero' and 'Bulletproof Monk'. This is another Chinese legend epic that really fails as a movie. The moral of the story is hard to follow and takes forever to get its point across. On the plus side, it is a very visually stunning movie. It better be since it is the most expensive film in Chinese history with a budget of $35 million.
If you like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers', you might like this. Else, don't go see it.
This movie is a combination of 'Hero' and 'Bulletproof Monk'. This is another Chinese legend epic that really fails as a movie. The moral of the story is hard to follow and takes forever to get its point across. On the plus side, it is a very visually stunning movie. It better be since it is the most expensive film in Chinese history with a budget of $35 million.
If you like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers', you might like this. Else, don't go see it.
Let Your Mind Go
kellye20037 August 2006
When I was a kid, going to the movies gave me a rush like nothing else, but for the last few years my movie-going experience has been one disappointment after another. "The Promise" was a very rare exception.
I'm not saying this movie is for everybody. It's heavily stylized, and the mythical nature of the story requires a certain suspension of disbelief. BUT, if you crave stimulation for your eyes, your ears, and your imagination, this movie will deliver. The score is incredible, and every frame is stunning, visually. The story is a fairy tale. If you let yourself get lost in it, the experience will be magical. If you spend your time analyzing, breaking down the laws of physics, and worrying whether you're getting all the intended messages, you will most likely come away unsatisfied.
I'm not saying this movie is for everybody. It's heavily stylized, and the mythical nature of the story requires a certain suspension of disbelief. BUT, if you crave stimulation for your eyes, your ears, and your imagination, this movie will deliver. The score is incredible, and every frame is stunning, visually. The story is a fairy tale. If you let yourself get lost in it, the experience will be magical. If you spend your time analyzing, breaking down the laws of physics, and worrying whether you're getting all the intended messages, you will most likely come away unsatisfied.
Lacking substance but sheer visual delight
Stacey_Ng13 December 2006
The 'promise' of 340 million yuan (Chinese dollar) turns out to be CGI, CGI, CGI. Kind of hard to believe that Kaige Chen would want to make a film like this. Many of Kaige Chen's former fans are probably appalled and disappointed. As for me, I bought the ticket for sheer entertainment, spectacles, and visual delight. Plus I like Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung (and they're finally married, hurray!). I know the plot is weak, but that's fine with me. Just maintain an open mind, and see how 340 million yuan was lavishly spent- the film certainly contains magnificent spectacles, and the costume and makeup are eerie but beautiful. The film is pure fantasy; don't let logic ruin your viewing experience. To appreciate this film, you can't take it too seriously. And don't compare it with previous works of Kaige Chen... just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Oh my god
knuman26 December 2005
Man, this was just terrible...Asian movie makers these days think they can just throw together a cast of famous Asian actors, create some nice costumes and film some pretty scenery and people (especially Westerners) will call it "art" and flock to see it.
Honestly, it was plain awful. The special effects were pretty poor by today's standards (eg buffaloes and architecture). Characters did and said things that would have made little sense in any culture, language or time period in the history of mankind. When everyone in the cinema starts laughing out loud at the scenes that are supposed to be the most moving and touching, you know it must be crap! Asian films don't have to be like this to sell in Western markets. I did think the Japanese actor did a good job of speaking Mandarin. But overall, this was crap in anyone's language.
Honestly, it was plain awful. The special effects were pretty poor by today's standards (eg buffaloes and architecture). Characters did and said things that would have made little sense in any culture, language or time period in the history of mankind. When everyone in the cinema starts laughing out loud at the scenes that are supposed to be the most moving and touching, you know it must be crap! Asian films don't have to be like this to sell in Western markets. I did think the Japanese actor did a good job of speaking Mandarin. But overall, this was crap in anyone's language.
Ignore the harsh critics, with the right mind set this movie soars
objesguy8 May 2006
The Promise directed by Chen Kaige, who directed the excellent but depressing Farewell My Concubine, is pretty much being hated by people everywhere on this database. Everybody claims that it's not a real martial arts film, that the cast is terrible, the special effects are cheesy, the story is garbage and the directing is just plain awful. Well, there is some truth in some of those comments. But instead of looking at it a negative way, one should look at those negatives with a glass half-full approach, and one realize there is a very enjoyable movie underneath all this massive criticism.
Yes, The Promise is not a martial arts movie, i'll be the first to admit that. It's such a shame that this movie is being compared to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero because this movie is not at all like those films. For starters, this movie is less Jet Li and more Lord of the Rings, but with an Asian influence. That being said, i found that element of the movie quite intriguing, for the costumes and the cultures of the characters in the movie made me feel as if i were reading a fantasy novel rather than merely watching a martial arts film. Furthermore, since this movie is not a martial arts film really, one should realize that this movie isn't about China, contrary to what many people think. So it makes sense that there is a range of other Asian actors in this film, despite what everyone else making it out that it is ludicrous. The director Chen Kaige wanted to present a story in a land that was just limited to Chinese people, Japanese people or one simple Asian people. He wanted to create his own land, with his own people, perhaps his own mythology one could say. I find it quite intriguing when people create their own mythology, after all, it works for Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino, why can't it work for Kaige? So the story excels, not perfect, but it is still intriguing enough. So what about the acting? Not superb either, but still quite solid. Though i was a little disappointed in Cecilia Cheung, i was surprisingly enamored with Nicholas Tse. For some reason, his character had me hooked, intrigued, and his role at the ending may be either clever or stupid depending on your openness to this movie. Hiroyuki Sanada was also quite a surprise, but i felt a little let down by his performance as well, expecting perhaps too much from a character that was limited. As for the slave Kunlun, he perhaps had a very stellar performance as the slave turned hero, but to me, he didn't compare to Nicholas Tse.
The effects of the movie aren't the greatest, at times they are cheesy and some part even had me chuckle a bit, making me feel as if i were watching an anime film and not a real movie. Yet contrary to what many people say, it doesn't take anything away from the movie. And as far as the directing, i believe Chen Kaige did a fantastic job. He is a very underrated director, which is hard to say for a guy that won the 1993 Cann Palm D'or, but i believe he needs to have some supporters with all the critique he gets from movie audiences all over the world.
The Promise is a glorious film and i was enamored with it from beginning to end. It may not be one of the best Asian films out there (Wong Kar Wai is still the king of Asian Cinema), and i'm still scratching my head on why the government of China would sponsor a film like this (considering it really is about any Chinese history whatsoever), but it is enjoyable. If you're looking for a fun, fantasy romance that has a little bit more substance than the simple hack and slash fantasy film, this is your call. If you're looking though for a dramatic martial arts film in the mold of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, you might be a little disappointed. But nonetheless, it's a good film that deserves recognition.
Yes, The Promise is not a martial arts movie, i'll be the first to admit that. It's such a shame that this movie is being compared to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero because this movie is not at all like those films. For starters, this movie is less Jet Li and more Lord of the Rings, but with an Asian influence. That being said, i found that element of the movie quite intriguing, for the costumes and the cultures of the characters in the movie made me feel as if i were reading a fantasy novel rather than merely watching a martial arts film. Furthermore, since this movie is not a martial arts film really, one should realize that this movie isn't about China, contrary to what many people think. So it makes sense that there is a range of other Asian actors in this film, despite what everyone else making it out that it is ludicrous. The director Chen Kaige wanted to present a story in a land that was just limited to Chinese people, Japanese people or one simple Asian people. He wanted to create his own land, with his own people, perhaps his own mythology one could say. I find it quite intriguing when people create their own mythology, after all, it works for Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino, why can't it work for Kaige? So the story excels, not perfect, but it is still intriguing enough. So what about the acting? Not superb either, but still quite solid. Though i was a little disappointed in Cecilia Cheung, i was surprisingly enamored with Nicholas Tse. For some reason, his character had me hooked, intrigued, and his role at the ending may be either clever or stupid depending on your openness to this movie. Hiroyuki Sanada was also quite a surprise, but i felt a little let down by his performance as well, expecting perhaps too much from a character that was limited. As for the slave Kunlun, he perhaps had a very stellar performance as the slave turned hero, but to me, he didn't compare to Nicholas Tse.
The effects of the movie aren't the greatest, at times they are cheesy and some part even had me chuckle a bit, making me feel as if i were watching an anime film and not a real movie. Yet contrary to what many people say, it doesn't take anything away from the movie. And as far as the directing, i believe Chen Kaige did a fantastic job. He is a very underrated director, which is hard to say for a guy that won the 1993 Cann Palm D'or, but i believe he needs to have some supporters with all the critique he gets from movie audiences all over the world.
The Promise is a glorious film and i was enamored with it from beginning to end. It may not be one of the best Asian films out there (Wong Kar Wai is still the king of Asian Cinema), and i'm still scratching my head on why the government of China would sponsor a film like this (considering it really is about any Chinese history whatsoever), but it is enjoyable. If you're looking for a fun, fantasy romance that has a little bit more substance than the simple hack and slash fantasy film, this is your call. If you're looking though for a dramatic martial arts film in the mold of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, you might be a little disappointed. But nonetheless, it's a good film that deserves recognition.
I appreciated some things others may have overlooked.
dennisyoon24 March 2006
First of all let me tell you why I paid attention to this film. Chen Kaige!!! Jang Dong Gun!!! Hiroyuki Sanada!!! Cecilia Cheung!!! I am definitely a big fan. There is some East Asian fusion going on here and I like it! This film was more than a worthy vehicle for these Mega Stars from China, Japan, and Korea. Too bad many people don't think so.
I grew up watching Hiroyuki Sanada in "Shogun's Ninja" and loved him as the swordsman in "Last Samurai". Jang Dong Gun is definitely it for Korean film stars. "TaeGukGi" is a masterpiece and I loved "Chingoo". Cecilia Cheung has a special place in my heart after "Failan" and "Running on Karma" among many others. As for Chen Kaige, my heroes are great film makers, and "Life on a String" and "Farewell My Concubine" are just burned into my memory. They all have achieved greatness in my book.
I was thrilled to see Jang Dong Gun and didn't recognize him until he spoke. That piqued my curiosity but I was hooked as soon as I saw the plot unfold when the Goddess made her predictions for the Child and the General. I loved the characters. Each had their issues to deal with in life and they all headed towards destiny and evolved in the process. I saw interesting messages of honor, sacrifice and personal evolution as well as second chances and retribution. I also saw vivid costumes, wire choreography and of course cg. The camera techniques were very nice and some scenes are definitely vivid and graceful. Mostly, I just felt the star power and they didn't disappoint. Props to Hiroyuki Sanada for his bravado and vulnerability. He stole the show. Jang Dong Gun is always cool somehow. His super powered, innocent, slave character was very likable. His expressions while running super speed would pump me up. They also played with his appearance often to make him seem haggard and then very regal and then back again to haggard. Cecilia Cheung did her turn as seductress and tormented lover very nice and I'm glad it wasn't Zhang Ziyi. Come on guys. Don't wear her out like that. Variety is the spice of life.
OK, check it out if you aren't nit picky and just want to kick back and enjoy a light fantasy with some serious international star power. If you are romantic of course you'll like it but if you are stuck in reality maybe not. Cheers.
I grew up watching Hiroyuki Sanada in "Shogun's Ninja" and loved him as the swordsman in "Last Samurai". Jang Dong Gun is definitely it for Korean film stars. "TaeGukGi" is a masterpiece and I loved "Chingoo". Cecilia Cheung has a special place in my heart after "Failan" and "Running on Karma" among many others. As for Chen Kaige, my heroes are great film makers, and "Life on a String" and "Farewell My Concubine" are just burned into my memory. They all have achieved greatness in my book.
I was thrilled to see Jang Dong Gun and didn't recognize him until he spoke. That piqued my curiosity but I was hooked as soon as I saw the plot unfold when the Goddess made her predictions for the Child and the General. I loved the characters. Each had their issues to deal with in life and they all headed towards destiny and evolved in the process. I saw interesting messages of honor, sacrifice and personal evolution as well as second chances and retribution. I also saw vivid costumes, wire choreography and of course cg. The camera techniques were very nice and some scenes are definitely vivid and graceful. Mostly, I just felt the star power and they didn't disappoint. Props to Hiroyuki Sanada for his bravado and vulnerability. He stole the show. Jang Dong Gun is always cool somehow. His super powered, innocent, slave character was very likable. His expressions while running super speed would pump me up. They also played with his appearance often to make him seem haggard and then very regal and then back again to haggard. Cecilia Cheung did her turn as seductress and tormented lover very nice and I'm glad it wasn't Zhang Ziyi. Come on guys. Don't wear her out like that. Variety is the spice of life.
OK, check it out if you aren't nit picky and just want to kick back and enjoy a light fantasy with some serious international star power. If you are romantic of course you'll like it but if you are stuck in reality maybe not. Cheers.
A Nutshell Review: The Promise
DICK STEEL17 December 2005
The trailers, the posters, the casting, all looked promising. Sadly, the storyline is one heck of a convoluted one, and I hate to use the word, but absurd is what The Promise is.
This is a fantasy picture as promoted, and true enough, it is, so much that you have to leave your brains at the door. In trying to sound intelligent, the plot fumbles and ended up really unconvincing. It's all style and little substance. To associate this with martial arts films is to insult the genre, and one shouldn't even mention this film nor compare it to Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's time filmmakers wake up to the idea that CTHD is a one-off that cannot be replicated. Do not try to go one up by having characters fly faster, higher, harder. Or run so fast they can break the space-time continuum and time travel. Science fiction this is not.
Yet, you cannot fault the cinematography, which seemed beautiful, until a closer scrutiny makes it so obvious that it's CGI created. Think Storm Rider's special effects in the creation of its world, there is no improvement in the refinement of graphics in The Promise after so many years. Does this mean that only the West can come up with believable CGI worlds for audiences? Plot loopholes are abound, and you can drive a horde of running bulls right through it. You also get the usual villain driven soliloquy at the finale explaining his grudge he unbelievably held for so long (and the lengths he goes to settle it), and some homosexual undertones in one of the minor characters too. Hip? Guess not. What fails in plot delivery is having drag on what is obvious to the audience (but not to a character) for too long. In fact, almost the entire length of the movie. It wearies the audience, and insults the audience's intelligence.
So what's this movie about? It's a love triangle of sorts, between a Princess (Cecilia Cheung), a General of the Crimson Army (Japan's Hiroyuki Sanada), and his slave Kunlun (Korea's Jang Dong Gun). Playing the chief villain is Nicholas Tse, whose pretty boy looks probably made his character less threatening. Destiny is the running theme of the movie, where each character is destined for certain goals and events, and one in which is set in stone. Cursed by a fairy when young, the Princess is not to find true love, until impossible conditions are met. And the General too is foretold the elements leading to his impending death. What started off plotwise, as promising, degenerated into a web of blah which I wince at by just recalling it.
Are there any saving graces in the movie? Yes, but they are few. Look out for the fights involving Nicholas Tse, where I thought his use of the fan as a lethal boomerang was a marvel to watch. Cecilia Cheung also lit up the screen, but not for her acting nor the character's development though. The editing of a love scene too was uncalled for to get a PG rating, so that more audiences could fill the theatres. I reckon the word of mouth for this film will unsettle that. Hiroyuki Sanada and Jang Dong Gun, I guess, tried their best with the flimsily weak storyline to deliver their lines in Mandarin. Better that way too, with the rubbish I hope they don't understand.
If there is any movie which failed to live up to its hype, this movie is it, miserably. I'm sad to say that this is easily one of the worst films of the year. One more thing, they should have subtitled the opening titles explaining the background of the movie too, if they want to target non-mandarin speaking audiences. Slip-shoddy, careless start to a Chen Kaige disappointment.
This is a fantasy picture as promoted, and true enough, it is, so much that you have to leave your brains at the door. In trying to sound intelligent, the plot fumbles and ended up really unconvincing. It's all style and little substance. To associate this with martial arts films is to insult the genre, and one shouldn't even mention this film nor compare it to Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's time filmmakers wake up to the idea that CTHD is a one-off that cannot be replicated. Do not try to go one up by having characters fly faster, higher, harder. Or run so fast they can break the space-time continuum and time travel. Science fiction this is not.
Yet, you cannot fault the cinematography, which seemed beautiful, until a closer scrutiny makes it so obvious that it's CGI created. Think Storm Rider's special effects in the creation of its world, there is no improvement in the refinement of graphics in The Promise after so many years. Does this mean that only the West can come up with believable CGI worlds for audiences? Plot loopholes are abound, and you can drive a horde of running bulls right through it. You also get the usual villain driven soliloquy at the finale explaining his grudge he unbelievably held for so long (and the lengths he goes to settle it), and some homosexual undertones in one of the minor characters too. Hip? Guess not. What fails in plot delivery is having drag on what is obvious to the audience (but not to a character) for too long. In fact, almost the entire length of the movie. It wearies the audience, and insults the audience's intelligence.
So what's this movie about? It's a love triangle of sorts, between a Princess (Cecilia Cheung), a General of the Crimson Army (Japan's Hiroyuki Sanada), and his slave Kunlun (Korea's Jang Dong Gun). Playing the chief villain is Nicholas Tse, whose pretty boy looks probably made his character less threatening. Destiny is the running theme of the movie, where each character is destined for certain goals and events, and one in which is set in stone. Cursed by a fairy when young, the Princess is not to find true love, until impossible conditions are met. And the General too is foretold the elements leading to his impending death. What started off plotwise, as promising, degenerated into a web of blah which I wince at by just recalling it.
Are there any saving graces in the movie? Yes, but they are few. Look out for the fights involving Nicholas Tse, where I thought his use of the fan as a lethal boomerang was a marvel to watch. Cecilia Cheung also lit up the screen, but not for her acting nor the character's development though. The editing of a love scene too was uncalled for to get a PG rating, so that more audiences could fill the theatres. I reckon the word of mouth for this film will unsettle that. Hiroyuki Sanada and Jang Dong Gun, I guess, tried their best with the flimsily weak storyline to deliver their lines in Mandarin. Better that way too, with the rubbish I hope they don't understand.
If there is any movie which failed to live up to its hype, this movie is it, miserably. I'm sad to say that this is easily one of the worst films of the year. One more thing, they should have subtitled the opening titles explaining the background of the movie too, if they want to target non-mandarin speaking audiences. Slip-shoddy, careless start to a Chen Kaige disappointment.
Creativity of Literature and Beauty of Life
laurence-yap1 January 2006
The Promise has delivered the message to the audience, ie, live life full , bravery to pursuit our love, and our ability to change our fate by choice.
The west have "superman" and "fantastic four". No one commented the movies are illogical. This promise has combined Chinese myth and faith. In such contact, it is unkind to comment the abilities of the slave to fly, run and step into another realm of time and life. Do not apply double standard in evaluating and judging the movie with our limited perspectives. The important thing is the message the movie trying to express to the audience.
The movie captured many beautiful moment, from flowers to sky, from facial expression to non verbal language.
The conversation among the cast are remarkable. It made us think of our own life. The Chinese language fully exploited to deliver the complexity of ideas and thought.
The concubine has made the choice to love the general. She even decided to pour her heart out to the "slave". At the end, she is the one decided to ignore the warning of the "goddess".
A movie worth watching again!
The west have "superman" and "fantastic four". No one commented the movies are illogical. This promise has combined Chinese myth and faith. In such contact, it is unkind to comment the abilities of the slave to fly, run and step into another realm of time and life. Do not apply double standard in evaluating and judging the movie with our limited perspectives. The important thing is the message the movie trying to express to the audience.
The movie captured many beautiful moment, from flowers to sky, from facial expression to non verbal language.
The conversation among the cast are remarkable. It made us think of our own life. The Chinese language fully exploited to deliver the complexity of ideas and thought.
The concubine has made the choice to love the general. She even decided to pour her heart out to the "slave". At the end, she is the one decided to ignore the warning of the "goddess".
A movie worth watching again!
Really, not all *that* bad.
jywolf1 January 2006
All right, all right -- so some people think that the movie is crap, and there are definitely a whole lot of mixed opinions when it comes to this movie. Sure, for the people who went into the theater thinking they'd see something of a sister film to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it was probably a disappointment. This movie made more of an impression on me than Crouching Tiger; perhaps it was the storyline, which -- though definitely absurd at points -- actually had me interested, whereas the story in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was just kind of o____O-ish.
I went to the movies expecting nothing more than one of those badly-done Chinese soap operas, though it might be more accurate to say that I was dragged there, kicking and screaming the whole way. "The Promise" was not something I had wanted to watch during my stay in Taiwan. However, the choreography was decently done, and the movie was...very, very well-casted.
As characters go, the movie was laden with clichés, from the girl to all three of the main male characters -- but they were well-played. To be honest, I fell in love with Wuhuan the moment he appeared on screen, but that's generally what happens with me and those types of characters. Hah.
Anyhow, the movie was emotional, and although the story was stretched at points (and was Wuhuan being serious at the end? The script there was kind of odd), it was far from a disappointment.
I went to the movies expecting nothing more than one of those badly-done Chinese soap operas, though it might be more accurate to say that I was dragged there, kicking and screaming the whole way. "The Promise" was not something I had wanted to watch during my stay in Taiwan. However, the choreography was decently done, and the movie was...very, very well-casted.
As characters go, the movie was laden with clichés, from the girl to all three of the main male characters -- but they were well-played. To be honest, I fell in love with Wuhuan the moment he appeared on screen, but that's generally what happens with me and those types of characters. Hah.
Anyhow, the movie was emotional, and although the story was stretched at points (and was Wuhuan being serious at the end? The script there was kind of odd), it was far from a disappointment.
crap!
greenlantern7418 December 2005
script is crazy! although it is essentially a mythological treatment of the plot, the dialog is amusing at best, disgusting in fact. (i watch it in mandarin though)..
i wish the fighting scenes are more earthly and at least give little or some respect to newton's laws. they can fly high (since they are highly skilled), but not without gravity! gosh! what plot is there? ha... better spend your money on a burger king meal. feels better that way.
The only saving grace is the vivid display of colours as well as the 'still acting professionally despite the silly plot' efforts of the main characters. I wonder if they did laugh aloud every time they finish the filming for the scenes..
i wish the fighting scenes are more earthly and at least give little or some respect to newton's laws. they can fly high (since they are highly skilled), but not without gravity! gosh! what plot is there? ha... better spend your money on a burger king meal. feels better that way.
The only saving grace is the vivid display of colours as well as the 'still acting professionally despite the silly plot' efforts of the main characters. I wonder if they did laugh aloud every time they finish the filming for the scenes..
Over ambitious, but still a solid piece of film making.
studleymoore202722 January 2006
I watched this film after reading countless bad reviews and seeing the low mark on this site (5.0 out of 10 at the time of writing) so my expectations were low, however the film was surprisingly good.
To start with it had two actors who i like a lot Dong-Kun Jang (tae Guk Ki) and Hiroyuki Sanada (Twighlight Samurai) and it was billed as an epic and i love those! An epic it certainly was, vast in scale at times maybe too vast overusing the computer effects.
The acting was adequate with neither of the two aforementioned actors reaching the same limits as previous films, however this is a fantasy film and they do make you believe in the characters they portray.
One thing that strikes me,now having seen the film, is all the people who didn't understand what was going on? I can assure you that this is easy to follow, although some parts of the story could do with some background to them. Be warned no matter how this is advertised, his is neither a Crouching Tiger or a House of Flying Daggers this is pure fantasy, what it is though is an enlightening Asian fantasy film that will enlighten us westerners on a genre we are none too familiar with. 7/10
To start with it had two actors who i like a lot Dong-Kun Jang (tae Guk Ki) and Hiroyuki Sanada (Twighlight Samurai) and it was billed as an epic and i love those! An epic it certainly was, vast in scale at times maybe too vast overusing the computer effects.
The acting was adequate with neither of the two aforementioned actors reaching the same limits as previous films, however this is a fantasy film and they do make you believe in the characters they portray.
One thing that strikes me,now having seen the film, is all the people who didn't understand what was going on? I can assure you that this is easy to follow, although some parts of the story could do with some background to them. Be warned no matter how this is advertised, his is neither a Crouching Tiger or a House of Flying Daggers this is pure fantasy, what it is though is an enlightening Asian fantasy film that will enlighten us westerners on a genre we are none too familiar with. 7/10
So terrible that I laughed the whole way through it
trevorc2424 January 2006
This movie was truly so bad that I laughed pretty much the whole way through it. Then when I heard it was going to play in the US theaters, I was so embarrassed that the US audience is going to see this movie and think that this is what Chinese cinema is all about. First off, I've read many of the comments on the message boards where people who blasted this movie have been called by other posters as western-minded and ignorant of Asian culture. Let me just state that, yes, I was raised in the US, but I was born in Taiwan and raised by my parents, who were born in China. I saw this movie with both of my parents and all three of us hated it. What was bad about it? Just about everything. To list it all would take up too much time, so let me just list a few of the most terrible bits:
By the end of this movie (and I'll confess I have no idea what happened in the end because I was beyond caring at that point), I was crying tears of boredom. The plot started out as somewhat interesting and just descended into garbage from there on. None of the characters were likable, and I could really care less what happened to them. Some people have issues with the accents of the actors, but I can overlook that since it is a fantasy movie. The only redeeming quality of this movie is possibly the pretty colors. Everything else (the martial arts, the costumes, and yes, the special effects) was just so blah and have been done a hundred times better in countless other movies.
- The "special" effects: it was so "special" it looks like some guy just made it up on his home computer and slapped it on. I heard that this was a big-budget movie. Obviously, none of that money went towards real special effects. Most of the video games I've played had better graphics. In fact, most of the low-budget TV dramas from China and Taiwan had better special effects.
- The plot: I'll admit the idea that this girl can have everything she wants in life except love is a good plot. But the way the rest of the story plays out basically have next to nothing to do with this.
- The characters: I get that this is a fantasy movie so things don't have to be believable. But some of the things these characters do just end up being so illogical as to boggle my mind. Why were the Emperor and his mistress standing on top of the roof of their palace when there's a huge army waiting to kill them down on the ground? Isn't that a surefire way for arrows to hit them?
By the end of this movie (and I'll confess I have no idea what happened in the end because I was beyond caring at that point), I was crying tears of boredom. The plot started out as somewhat interesting and just descended into garbage from there on. None of the characters were likable, and I could really care less what happened to them. Some people have issues with the accents of the actors, but I can overlook that since it is a fantasy movie. The only redeeming quality of this movie is possibly the pretty colors. Everything else (the martial arts, the costumes, and yes, the special effects) was just so blah and have been done a hundred times better in countless other movies.
One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen
rburnes10 August 2006
I saw this film at the Traverse City Film Festival in August 2006 and loved it. As the title suggests, the film is about a promise, or a series of promises, and the events they set into motion. The story unfolds slowly, as fairy tales do, and it's a visual stunner. The sets and costumes are rich and vibrantly colored, and the music and cinematography were breathtakingly beautiful. The subtitles were actually poetic!
This film is pure fantasy and watching it is like watching a painting in motion. Forget realism -- it's a fairytale and must be approached with that in mind. It is not what I would describe as a martial arts film, although there is some stylized fighting a la Crouching Tiger. But unlike that film, I would probably be willing to allow my 8-year-old son to watch this film (with me alongside), as it was not graphically violent (certainly not like Lord of the Rings) and was such a magical fairytale. People who see this film expecting one of those classic martial arts films will be disappointed, because that's not what this film is about. I suspect the many negative comments on this board are from people who had other expectations; I had none when I saw this film and was utterly delighted.
I loved that it surprised me in how it ended, an ending that moved me to tears. This is a film I would love to own and watch again and again. I will definitely look for the soundtrack.
This film is pure fantasy and watching it is like watching a painting in motion. Forget realism -- it's a fairytale and must be approached with that in mind. It is not what I would describe as a martial arts film, although there is some stylized fighting a la Crouching Tiger. But unlike that film, I would probably be willing to allow my 8-year-old son to watch this film (with me alongside), as it was not graphically violent (certainly not like Lord of the Rings) and was such a magical fairytale. People who see this film expecting one of those classic martial arts films will be disappointed, because that's not what this film is about. I suspect the many negative comments on this board are from people who had other expectations; I had none when I saw this film and was utterly delighted.
I loved that it surprised me in how it ended, an ending that moved me to tears. This is a film I would love to own and watch again and again. I will definitely look for the soundtrack.
Don't believe the hype!
gormanii20 December 2005
I just came back from watching the movie and what a disappointment - all style and no substance. The cinematography was beautiful as were the costumes, (in fact the use of colour in the movie reminded me of Zhang Yimou's 'Hero') as for the plot and the characters hmmm! It had about as much depth as a children's book (and I'm not talking about Alice in Wonderland here!)The story was too one dimensional and bland and I didn't feel any empathy for any of the characters ... there didn't seem to be any real passion or depth to any of them. Although the movie is about love, there was a big lack of smouldering passion on screen.
I think the only reason there is a Japanese and Korean actor in this movie is for promotional reasons.
I think the only reason there is a Japanese and Korean actor in this movie is for promotional reasons.
Meaningless mess
tkleeman28 December 2005
This is one of the worst movies I have seen and a new low for Chen Kaige. The plot is a confusing mess, the acting stilted, the dialog lifeless. Even the special effects are amateurish and the supposed capital, consisting of a series of narrowly spaced concentric walls, not only looks fake but is wholly impractical. The title also seems meaningless as "Wuji" (literally "the limitless") has no special meaning(certainly nothing like what Chen implies) in Chinese philosophy or religion. Naming the lead actress Qingcheng ("overthrower of cities"), a traditional name for evil women who lead men of power astray, was both trite and inappropriate. And the lead actress is certainly not attractive enough to make her worldly success believable. Most disturbing was the treatment of "barbarians" (who inexplicably herded longhorn cattle), which verged on pure racism, and slaves, who seem to delight in their position. The silliness reaches a high point early on in the movie when the slave Kunlun outraces a raging herd of cattle while crawling on hands and knees and carrying his dead slavemaster on his back. This movie is not quite as offensive as Hero (Yingxiong), Zhang Yimou's cinematic paean to dictators as the salvation of China, but is far worse in terms of acting, script, and plot.
it is a movie that provokes your thoughts rather than simply tells you the rationale
evenstar_ringser10 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
i think it deserves at least 8/10
it is a great movie to me, the storytelling is amazing, the idea of the movie is fascinating. But this movie is very funny in the sense that people can have very extreme views on it, love it or hate it.
I guess 1 reason some people hate it is that they expect it to be a straight forward movie that explain every details, but in fact it is a movie that provokes your thoughts rather than simply tells you the rationale. You need to get it by heart.
Maybe some people just don't get the importance of storytelling. They cant free their imagination and are too bound by their experience or logic. It is important for you to suspend your disbelief and let your soul goes with the movie.
To me, the center of the movie is well presented by its name "Wu Ji", which is a very sophisticated idea concerning about the end. Thats why there are many circles in the movie. The end is the beginning and life is a circle.
i don't like comparing movies, every movie has its own soul. "Wu Ji" is certainly more than martial arts, at least to me. It is such a beautiful story that really will stay with me.
it is a great movie to me, the storytelling is amazing, the idea of the movie is fascinating. But this movie is very funny in the sense that people can have very extreme views on it, love it or hate it.
I guess 1 reason some people hate it is that they expect it to be a straight forward movie that explain every details, but in fact it is a movie that provokes your thoughts rather than simply tells you the rationale. You need to get it by heart.
Maybe some people just don't get the importance of storytelling. They cant free their imagination and are too bound by their experience or logic. It is important for you to suspend your disbelief and let your soul goes with the movie.
To me, the center of the movie is well presented by its name "Wu Ji", which is a very sophisticated idea concerning about the end. Thats why there are many circles in the movie. The end is the beginning and life is a circle.
i don't like comparing movies, every movie has its own soul. "Wu Ji" is certainly more than martial arts, at least to me. It is such a beautiful story that really will stay with me.
A fairy tale in its essence. Perhaps flawed, yet nonetheless entertaining.
s0m3n4m329 January 2007
Chen Kaige is no stranger to epics, and he has shown he knows how to handle it. In this movie though, the director perhaps stretched his material little too much to make a movie that it was not meant to be. The movie's plot is burdened by its extraneousness, and its characters are not grounded properly to reach the depth this movies seems to want reach. However, the movie still is entertaining if viewed with lighter heart to ignore its superfluous elements.
The main flaw of the movie lies in its directions. The heart of the story reads more as a fairytale, rather than a grand storyline that supplements complex characters that made his previous two epics "Farewell My Concubine" and "The Emperor and the Assassin" successes. Even amidst of their grand story lines of the aforementioned movies, the driving engines for those movies were the Dostoevskian depth his characters display in the stories. In this movie though, the director falls a bit short on both ends, and the reason seems to be the director's trying bit to much with what was given. The movie might have been more successful as a straightforward fairytale, yet the movie is burdened by extraneous story lines that tries to give extra depths with unsuccessful results. The 10+ minutes preview of the movie hinted for something extravagant, an epic set in almost Peter Greenwayesque background, yet the movie fails to live up to what it seems to want to be.
The movie, with all its flaws, still offers value. The main story still has some power to enchant, especially viewed as a fairytale. The cinematography, as usual for Chen Kaige affair, can be breathtaking at times. The acting throughout the movie is solid. The movie is weighed down by its own expectations, but underneath it, the movie is still entertaining at its core.
The main flaw of the movie lies in its directions. The heart of the story reads more as a fairytale, rather than a grand storyline that supplements complex characters that made his previous two epics "Farewell My Concubine" and "The Emperor and the Assassin" successes. Even amidst of their grand story lines of the aforementioned movies, the driving engines for those movies were the Dostoevskian depth his characters display in the stories. In this movie though, the director falls a bit short on both ends, and the reason seems to be the director's trying bit to much with what was given. The movie might have been more successful as a straightforward fairytale, yet the movie is burdened by extraneous story lines that tries to give extra depths with unsuccessful results. The 10+ minutes preview of the movie hinted for something extravagant, an epic set in almost Peter Greenwayesque background, yet the movie fails to live up to what it seems to want to be.
The movie, with all its flaws, still offers value. The main story still has some power to enchant, especially viewed as a fairytale. The cinematography, as usual for Chen Kaige affair, can be breathtaking at times. The acting throughout the movie is solid. The movie is weighed down by its own expectations, but underneath it, the movie is still entertaining at its core.
The promise will promise you a big disappointment
drawdarwin15 December 2005
I began to doubt if god ever gave Kaige Chen a hand when he was shooting the classic FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE. He has gradually lost his powerful mind he ever had in filming.This movie is totally an exquisite photography show with geeky empty plots and unfitting dialogs.There are maybe few shots inspired you a moment,but that won't last long for the story is terribly depicted like a 10-year old kid are telling you a story.I give it 2 only for it's photography.Kaige Chen is running into commercial stuff,He went ever big cities he could think of to get this sucking movie hyped. I think god noticed this before and took his talent away.
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