Red Cliff - 3 smiles

John Woo said in a recent interview that he had always wanted to make a Hollywood-big-budget-type movie in China. With “Red Cliff” he got his chance although it took almost 6 years from start to finish. The Battle at Red Cliff is as well known in Asia as the Trojan War is to Western audiences. And Woo said he wanted to create real people, not ‘superheroes of history.’ In a Los Angeles Times interview, he said, “These are the heroes I admired as a child. They’re men who are loyal to their country and loyal to their friends. They have a much smaller army but they defeat a much stronger and powerful enemy through the combination of teamwork, innovation, intelligence, confidence and courage.” Woo envisioned releasing a two-part film of almost five hours in China and paring that down to a single 2 ½-hour movie for American audiences. “Red Cliff” is an epic adventure, with stunning landscapes, dramatic naval engagements and strategic battle tactics enhanced with superb acting, historically accurate weapons and beautifully choreographed fight sequences.

Set is 208 A.D., “Red Cliff” tells of the battle between a power-mad imperial prime minister with a much larger army and an alliance of two warlords and their clans. The story also involves a beautiful woman (chiling Lin) who delays the prime minister with a beautifully performed tea ceremony; a wily tactician (Takeshi Kaneshiro) who develops a brilliant strategy that results in the general’s soldiers literally giving the beleaguered troops over 100,000 arrows; a military adviser (Tony Leung) who relies on the bravery of his men to overcome all odds. More than a dozen ships were built for the naval scenes with thousands more added digitally and between 700-1,500 Chinese soldiers appear as extras. Plus Woo added his signature white dove in an interesting sequence flying high over the enemy’s camp. What’s not to enjoy? Subtitles. 11/29/09