A Great Review for CZ12

One of the very few reviews for CZ12 from some one who 'gets' it.

Closing in on 60 years of age, Jackie Chan sure doesn't look or move like a person at that age, especially in the 2012 Chan featured and directed film, "Chinese Zodiac," which is also referred to as "Amour Of God III." For those who don't know, the famous Chan film,"Operation Condor" was "Amour Of God II."

From the beginning of this action packed motion picture, until the end of the two hour film, the intensity is damn near non-stop, highlighted by a million and one moves by Chan himself. From full body roller-blading to fighting off rottweilers, couch fighting and sky diving next to a live volcano, Chan does it all, and some, as usual.

Based around his thieving character, "Asian Hawk" and his most recent mission to steal the remaining pieces of a bronze set of heads that symbolize animals of the Chinese Zodiac, he finds himself in a moral dilemma after the first heist of the mission and also when his fellow thieves find clues of many more treasures along with these heads.

The dialogue languages shifts from Mandarin, French and English, maybe more, which has become somewhat of a Chinese standard in film-making as of late, in an attempt to make movies as international as possible. In my opinion a great idea.

The acting was what one would expect from a Jackie Chan feature and I was very impressed by his directing skills, I was just waiting for him to break out in one of his own songs that he was once famous for. The comedic elements were Chan-perfection, especially with the pirates, keep your eyes on that sequence, and above all the locations were absolutely gorgeous.

All in all, a great action film, and the type that I miss from American films that were so prevalent in the 90s, but are all but forgotten in this new age of whatever it is. I look forward to more Jackie Chan directed motion pictures, and it goes without saying any with him in starring roles.

SOURCE: EXAMINER.COM

Karate Kid Review

Well Karate Kid FINALLY rolled into town and in preparation for seeing the new version I got a copy of the original to refresh my memory (aaah nostalgia).

Just right off I have to say that on the whole the new version held up well against the old which is more than I can say for most remakes. And this is high praise considering I am one of the many who have a fond place in my heart for the original. Having watched both within the same week I must say it is very interesting seeing them side-by-side from the perspective of seeing how you can make two completely different and yet similar movies from the same script.

Having said that I think I must say that I don't think this new version will have the same iconic status in the minds of an entire generation as the original does. Although it seems 'your focus needs more focus' has gained a certain popularity I am not yet convinced that the movie has had the same impact as the original. Time will of course tell.

What I found particularly interesting and this may well be why the movie fails to have the same impact as the original is that the audience in the movie were predominantly boys under the age of 12 while the original appealed not only to an older audience but to both sexes as well. Guys aahed over the Karate and the girls oohed over Ralph Macchio.

I also think that with the younger audience the emotional impact of the scene with Mr Han and the loss of his family is largely lost on them. I noticed (at least in the audience last night) a lot of restlessness in the theater (which was fairly full) during that scene while the corresponding scene with Mr Miyagi and Daniel had greater emotional impact coming where it did in the film and because Daniel, as an older character, was better able to connect emotionally with Mr Miyagi which enabled his audience (who were largely the same age) to connect with the scene.

One thing that jarred with me in this movie was the Wushu instructor and the whole 'show no mercy' attitude. In the original John Kreese was a Green Beret type soldier whose 'strike first, strike hard, no mercy' attitude was completely understandable in the military context. However in the new version there was no rhyme or reason as to why the Kungfu instructor, Master Li had the philosophy he did which is such at odds with true spirit of kungfu.

The other thing that I still can't quite comprehend is the whole 'Karate Kid' thing with the title. Explanations with the franchise, restrictions on the use of 'Kungfu' in the title of the movie (Thanks to Dreamworks) and Harald Zwart's explanation that it was because Dre tried to learn karate and so the kids called him 'Karate Kid' well unless I blinked when that happened I don't recall that happening in the movie at all. As a result the title STILL doesn't make any sense in the context of the movie.

The few references throughout the movie to the original were well placed and you don't need to be that familiar with the original to pick up on them. Even 'wax on, wax off' made an appearance. Although I am not sure how many will pick up on the first one which comes in the opening scenes of the movie. In the original Daniel-san asks Miyagi 'Where do these cars come from' and Miyagi replies 'Detroit'.

The ONE thing I found off-putting and annoying was the camera work in places through the movie where there was a lot of camera movement particularly during the chase scene. For anyone who even marginally has a problem with motion sickness - take a paper bag with you or close your eyes. The blurred motion of the camera is quite nauseating.

On the whole the movie stands well on its own and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Jackie's performance was subtle, understated and emotive. I do think that he carried the movie though.

And it's going to be interesting to see where Jaden goes from here.

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Review: Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days has always been one of my favourite non-Jackie Jackie movies. If that makes sense lol. It isn't really a "Jackie Chan Movie" featuring, as it does, a whole host of other stars. And it avoids the Jackie trademark outtakes at the end which disappointed me no end because I sat through the entire credits in an emptying movie theater to watch them and they never appeared onscreen but all was not lost as the song that plays out over the end credits is very sweet. It is indeed a small world after all.

The movie is made by Disney so it is very much aimed at a younger audience and despite people saying that "Spy Next Door" was the first kids movie Jackie made - this movie truly qualifies for that title. But perhaps people don't recognise it as such because it has such adult appeal as well.

Ok so what I like about the movie is that it will appeal to both kids and adults alike. This is one of those kids movies that get it right. The visual humour and easy to follow story line and creative use of animation to keep the plot moving are very kid friendly but the clever lines and 'spot the celebrity' cameos will keep adults entertained.

There is also just sufficient real (accurate) information (history, science and art in particular) in the movie to (hopefully) educate and generate follow on inquiries.

A number of real historical figures pop up throughout the movie and it is as fun to watch out for them as it is to watch out for the celebrity cameos.

There are two cameos I must mention in particular - the first is Richard Branson - who did attempt to fly around the world twice (unsuccesfully) in a hot air balloon so his comment 'That is impossible!' when they steal the ballon is hysterically funny. The other is John Cleese in a very Monty Python-esque scene with the 'Flying men are coming' which is also an oblique reference to Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Some one really did their homework on this movie. Toulouse-Lautrec was indeed a dwarf and worked for the Moulin Rouge so the scene with him and all the 'ladies' was amusingly accurate. Van Gogh and his missing ear as well as the brief walk through art history via Monique's sketch book is delightful.

I loved the Wilson Brother's cameo as the Wright Brothers - I don't know if they really argued about who invented what but families being what families are with sibling rivalry it is all to easily imagined and works so well in this scene. The sneaky reference and role reversal with Jackie from Shanghai Noon to this just adds another delightful layer to these scenes.

You can have fun looking out for all the other cameos throughout the movie. There are just too many to mention.

There is almost nothing to fault in this movie. It is delightfully child-like and utilises Jackie's humour extremely well. The scenes with the cameos are cleverly worked out to reflect something of the celebrity themselves. It has some wonderful lines that are hysterically funny (even if you have to be something of a buff to get them).

The movie works well on a simple easy to follow level with no great inconsistencies while having layers of depth that make it fun for adults as well.

The only thing I don't like about the movie is that they cut the fight scene in the art gallery short. I know the movie is quite long already and something HAD to be cut but the scene is just so brilliant and it bothers me every time I watch the movie that we don't see the painting being created in it's entirety.

All in all this is lovely movie and I would highly recommend that you go put it in the machine and watch it again and this time watch for all the nuances!

Very Interesting Response to The Karate Kid

A very interesting response "The Karate Kid".

Jaden Smith's role in 'The Karate Kid' is a refreshing depiction of a black youth

Forty-five minutes into "The Karate Kid," I looked around the theater, wondering if anyone else was marveling.

My 8-year-old son Satchel's eyes were glued to the screen. The story of unlikely friendship and triumph hit familiar notes, but I was seeing something new. Jaden Smith was playing a black boy in three dimensions: vulnerable, contemplative and in possession of a wholly formed interior world.

Maybe you'd have to be a black mother who has never seen her son on screen -- or, more accurately, an image of a black boy who was everything I'd want my son to grow into.

The movie, which was No. 4 in box-office gross heading into the July 4 weekend, stars the son of Hollywood power duo Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who produced it. I noted the subtleties of Jaden Smith's portrayal from the opening scene. Smith, as 12-year-old Dre Parker, claps hands with a friend who gives him his skateboard as a parting gift when he and his mother move from Detroit to China where her factory job has been relocated.

With his cornrows, pop-lock dance moves and whassup vernacular, Smith has the signposts of urban youth. But there is nothing cartoonishly black about him.

On a recent Friday in Bowie, Herbert and Johanna Bruce took in a showing. Smith's character "faces his fears without compromise, without becoming a thug, and he wasn't trying to be a lover of the honeys," Herbert Bruce said.

Often in popular culture, vulnerability is derided and feminized in boys of all races, and for young black boys, it's especially "clowned," or hyperbolized, for effect. In this movie, Smith's vulnerability is merely human.

"Even in 2010 it is very common to see young African American boys framed in pop culture as aggressive, violent, highly sexualized, I would even say criminalized," said Byron Hurt, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who specializes in black masculinity issues. He recalled an episode of NBC's "Friday Night Lights" that he found "deplorable," with portrayals of black teens that traded in every stock image of black male aggression, street savvy and hypersexuality. A group was teaching a younger black boy to steal cars. Another was a jock who was "over the top maniacal, with no regard for other kids. . . . His whole persona completely centered around his physicality."

White male characters are often given back stories to soften their transgressions, Hurt said. Smith gives his character that same complexity and depth. "You see Jaden's performance and you're stunned [because] most of what you have seen are images that feed into myths, stereotypes and caricatures."

Algernon Mathews, his wife Angela, his son Dante, 11, and daughter Angelica, 9, appreciated Smith's character. "Even when he was getting beat up, he didn't go get a gun," Algernon said. "He stood his ground and asked for help."

By movie's end, when an injured Karate Kid pleads with his friend and teacher Jackie Chan to help him fight his last round, I knew my son was feeling both Dre Parker's fight, and his heart. He's too young to fully engage with pop culture and he hasn't yet seen his fullness erased in all the ways I've seen black boys erased in movies and television.

Afterward, Satchel just said he liked the movie "really, a lot."

I did too, I told him. "Really, a lot."

SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST

LIttle BIg Soldier Review

Well I watched LBS today. And I must admit I am always a little apprehensive watching a movie that has received a lot of praise in the media because somehow they never QUITE live up to expectations. However this was after all JACKIE CHAN and I even sat through Spy Next Door TWICE (just to make sure it was actually as bad as I thought it was the first time - but that is whole other story) because it was a Jackie movie. So it was with some anticipation, a little apprehension and a lot of expectation that I sat down this afternoon to watch it.

I need to watch it again because there are a lot of aspects to the movie that need a second or third or fourth viewing to fully get your teeth into all the depth of meaning - which quite frankly I just LOVE in a movie so this is a LITE review - which is kind of like LITE yoghurt - tastes OK but lacks substance - LOL.

So first impressions - oh what a delight an opening sequence that actually sets the tone for the rest of the movie and establishes the premise and background of the movie effortlessly. The opening scene is just as brilliant at setting the tone and characters of the two main protagonists as the title is at setting up the whole movie - the funny thing is that you don't appreciate just how incredibly well the essence both characters is encapsulated in that opening scene until after the movie (like now) and you take a moment to think about it.

There is wonderful balance between big and small in this movie. The entire movie moves effortlessly between a very large canvas (whether in landscape or storyline) and the very small. And I felt such joy watching the scenes that did portray the large landscape - one of the things I bemoaned the lack of in The Forbidden Kingdom was the lack of good utilization of the incredible scenery in which the film takes place and this movie more than makes up for any lack in TFK. Acadamy Award nominee for best cinematography Zhao Xiaoding proves his skill behind the camera in this movie. His technique/skill in filming small close almost intimate scenes is as good as his skill in filming the broad sweeping landscapes which are never allowed to overwhelm the characters.

As I said earlier the film is about the contrast between big and small, the contrast between the 'BIG' General and the 'small' soldier, between the 'BIG' concerns of the State and the 'small' concerns of ordinary citizens, between 'BIG' complex relationships to do with the accession of Kings and 'small' friendships. This is played out at all levels in the movie from sweeping landscapes to small intimate moments with a baby bird, from vast wars to a single small death, from affairs of State to the simple longing of one man. Ding Sheng has done an incredible job with this movie, controlling the finest detail and maintaining pace, balance, pathos, drama, comedy, in fact at all levels this is a finely crafted well-balanced movie that was simply a pleasure to watch. I do not feel at all like I am exaggerating if I say this is the best movie Jackie has made. Ever. It is all I would have hoped for if Jackie ever made a movie with Zhang Yimou while at the same time being entirely different.

Jackie was simply brilliant in this movie. The character he played fitted him like a glove. In a way all the things that Jackie, as a man, believes in were expressed in this movie. The depth of caring for the environment, his attitude towards life, and his desire for peace were all there, and while the man was 'small' he was somehow far greater than the General.

Lee Hom Wang unfortunately lived up to my expectations. I was somewhat underwhelmed by his performance in 'Lust, Caution' thinking that he brought a very limited range of emotion to the part and very expressionless face. Well he didn't bring any more expression or range to this part but as usual Jackie's casting is brilliant because the character of the General is somewhat expressionless and lacking in range so all in all it works incredibly well.

There is a lovely feel of genuine liking between Jackie and Lee Hom Wang which is transferred on-screen, even when there are moments of annoyance and dislike between them, you feel that the development of affection in their relationship is natural.

I am going to save a more indepth analysis of the movie for when I have had a chance to see it a few more times but for the moment I want to say that this movie gets a firm 10/10 from me. It was an emotional journey from beginning to end that swept me along with it, I am left WANTING to watch it again and the end had me in tears. It was GREAT! I can't wait to do it again tomorrow.

The Spy Next Door - Review

So I finally got to see "Spy Next Door" which has eventually worked it's way around to my local theater.

I must admit to being slightly at a loss for what to say about the movie and I have been trying to write this review for 2 days already. I did not go with the highest expectations of the film and I guess in that regard I was not disappointed but it is hard to say the movie was BAD but it is equally hard to say that it was good.

I went with the expectation that it was intended to be a kid's movie and I watched it with that expectation in mind. However the problem is that in the words of Shakespeare - this movie is 'neither fish nor fowl'. It is not a 'Jackie Chan' movie. It is not a movie that will particularly appeal to kids and it is not clever enough to be an adult movie either.

I was asked if I disliked the movie and the truth is no I didn't DISLIKE it - but I can't truthfully say I liked it either. It is a strange movie in that nothing in it is truly awful but nothing is truly good either. There is no 'magic'! And as a result it fails even to disappoint. I can't generate strong emotion about it because there is simply nothing to feel strongly about either good or bad.

So let's take a closer look at different aspects of the movie:

Casting: I have a problem with how this movie was cast. George Lopez as a comedian is very adult and not a casting choice that would appeal to kids nor encourage their parents to take their kids to see the movie.

Billy Ray Cyrus and Lucas Till may have been cast because of their cachet with the Hannah Montana crowd but I highly doubt that Billy Ray without Miley is much of an attraction for the tween audience and Lucas Till simply is not in the movie enough to generate ongoing word-of-mouth interest. He was however just about the best thing in the movie. He got the biggest laugh from me the entire film and he really stood out on-screen (Hint from me - watch that kid - if he doesn't mess up he has a long career ahead of him).

I have serious issues with casting the heroes of kindergarten television as villains and casting Magnus Scheving as the villain in this movie, with his anger management issues and extremely poor impulse control with a gun is akin to casting Barney the Dinosaur in a remake of 'Gremlins' as the gremlin. Kids of that age are developmentally unable to distinguish fantasy from reality and if you are going to create yourself as a hero to that age group you have to be prepared to maintain the image. Kids simply do not understand why their hero is suddenly 'bad' and the blow can be devastating. It also leaves parents with the next-to-impossible task of trying to explain to their crushed and inconsolable toddler why Spartacus is shooting stuff and why this is bad and why they shouldn't copy him. This in my opinion was an extremely poor casting choice.

All in all the casting was uninspired and did not gel together to create that on-screen magic we look for in a good movie. Not one of the characters had enough screen time for you to establish a rapport with. They came and went in this montage of small takes that felt like poorly executed skits that did not fit together in a coherent whole.

Title Sequence: I feel the same way about the title sequence for this movie as I did about the title sequence for "The Forbidden Kingdom" - it just did not fit. It set up an expectation of an entirely different movie and to go from a montage of clips of old Jackie movies - which quite frankly did not fit together very well either in terms of look, style, or content and making them sepia did not help much to pull them together either - into a scene of urban tract housing that was reminiscent of 'Leave it Beaver' type sit-coms was just unsettling and failed entirely to set the tone for the rest of the film. I have no idea why they didn't just film a short series of clips showing Jackie flip-flopping between boring alter-ego salesman/nice guy next door and 'super-spy!' (which has to be said in the same tone as 'super-star!' from the movie "Superstar!") which would have established the dual role he is playing much better than the documentary style series of clips. Now if those were the opening for a documentary of Jackie's movies I would be extremely interested to watch the rest - as the opening for this movie? Naaah - did not work!

Stunts: Well what can I say other than the 'safety police' as Jackie calls them were out in full force on this one. I do not blame audiences for thinking Jackie is 'past it' when he is practically not even allowed to blow his own nose. The stunts on this were dull, entirely lacked the 'WOW LOOK AT JACKIE!' factor - more than likely because they were almost entirely NOT actually Jackie doing them. The one 'big' stunt - the escalator slide was so random and so derivative of Police Story/Rush Hour/Shanghai Knights that it was actually boring.

In addition the use of wires in this movie was so painfully obvious. I have absolutely no objection to the clever use of wires not only for safety reasons but also as Jackie uses them to enhance the ability of the actors (or non-ability as the case may be). However may I please inform film-makers - PEOPLE DO NOT FLOAT! Bad wirework results in gravity defying floating people and when simulating reality it is important that the effect of gravity on falling bodies remains evident. Jackie 'floats' effortlessly far too often in this movie.

The only 'stunt' in which the inimitable Jackie Chan magic was evident was with the frying pans. It was quick, funny, and well no other way to say it other than 'Jackie'. Even the thing with the fridge was so "Rumble in the Bronx" (shopping cart) / "The Medallion" (containers) / "Rush Hour" (containers) / "Rob-B-Hood" (getting in the car from the back) / well you get the idea!

I know Jackie choreographed the stunts for the intended audience and that is not the problem here - the problem is not the 'toning' down of the stunts to a level suitable for kids but rather how they were filmed, and executed. And even Jackie can only choreograph within the parameters set by the Director.

Gadgets: We have Jackie playing a super cool 'super-spy!' (remember how to say it?) and he doesn't have super cool 'super-spy!' stuff! If there is one area this movie could have come out shining and been really amazing and that was with the gadgets. Even "Agent Cody Banks" had better spy gear than this. I mean come on guys - where is the super-cool-every-boy's-dream 'super-spy!' stuff! A ring with a mini-cutter on it? HELLO it wasn't even a laser cutter!!! Fire out the lighter? SO LAST CENTURY! *SIGH* I think the film-makers forgot to bring out their inner child.

Plot/Dialogue: Yes this is is kid's movie and we don't expect the plot to be hugely genius - but why was an oil-eating virus/bacteria/formula bad? Now if the bad guy had created such a virus/bacteria/formula and decided to make a fortune for himself but having the only solution to oil spill disasters and then deciding it would be even better to create a few disasters instead of waiting for them to happen and then charging the earth for his solution ... wow so much better than the Russian cliché - the film-makers did remember the Cold War is over? And while I am having a small moan - what did the film-makers have against Jimmy Choo? Implying his shoes are 'plastic' is somewhat more than just a small swipe at him. And let's not contemplate the huge illogical inconsistency in tracking the formula being 'downloaded'. One would assume the CIA to have slightly better firewalls / IP disguising software than that - not to mention the line to Jackie's home computer would have been a secure dedicated line and not on an open server leaving nothing to 'track'. These days kids are so computer savvy that I am sure they were groaning out loud in theaters at that one.

The dialogue in this movie was just bad. It wasn't however bad enough to go over that line where bad becomes funny. It wasn't clever or snappy or witty enough to entertain adults accompanying younger children. And as for the line about marriage delivered by Billy Ray Cyrus? Hmmm yes GOOD philosophy to espouse in a kid's film! Would you like some tea with your cynicism today?

---

Getting back to a more generalized discussion of the film, when I first heard the premise of this film I was really excited and said 'Yay Jackie is finally making "The Pacifier"!'. "The Pacifier" was written specifically for Jackie but due to time constraints he was unable to do the movie which is when Vin Diesel was cast. I can still very easily picture Jackie in that role and I looked forward to this movie as being Jackie's chance to create that part for himself. In fact many elements of this film loosely remind me of "The Pacifier" - single mom, several kids, weird pets, mom is called away, unsuitable babysitter out of his depth coping with the perils of watching kids, protecting them from evil villains turns him from zero to hero in the kids' eyes .... sound familiar? However unlike "The Pacifier" which I still watch periodically with enjoyment - this movie just fails to bring the same magic to the table.

I mean OK you have to be a serious Jackie Chan/movie buff to appreciate the finer points in "The Pacifier" but just one example the family name is Plummer and Captain Von Trapp in the film "Sound of Music" was played by Christopher Plummer. "The Sound of Music" is also one of Jackie's favourite movies. It is small things like this that make the movie enjoyable to watch. Sadly there are no such moments in "Spy Next Door".

I have no idea how they succeeded but even Jackie was bland - I guess that he succeeded in being the boring pen salesman but he succeeded a little too well because there was no pizazz when he wasn't being the boring guy next door.

Overall the movie comes across as 'small'. I have the entire time been trying to pin down just exactly why this movie fails so spectacularly to be anything at all including being bad, and I think I have finally pinned it down - from beginning to end - it feels like no great effort was expended. It feels the entire time that 'good enough' was 'good enough'. Script - not great but 'good enough', stunts - not great but 'good enough', acting - not great but 'good enough' and there are just enough 'good enough's' to have resulted in a bland movie that never quite excites, never quite disappoints, and is just barely 'good enough'.

English Review of Little Big Soldier

'Little Big Soldier' innovative starring vehicle for action star Jackie Chan

Min Lee, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Canadian Press, 2010

HONG KONG - We've seen Jackie Chan, the nimble action hero who takes down the bad guys. Enter Jackie Chan, the timid soldier who will do anything to avoid fighting, even using a prop arrow and artificial blood to fake his death during major battles.

In the veteran action star's new Chinese-language release, "Little Big Soldier," Chan plays a farmer-turned-reluctant soldier in ancient China whose survival strategy is feigning injury.

After escaping unscathed from another battle through trickery, he stumbles upon his biggest prize - a surviving general from a rival state. The general becomes his hostage - the hope being that turning in the wounded soldier to the king of his state will win him riches and exemption from military duty.

The treacherous journey back to the farmer's home state, fending off assassins and indigenous bandits, and the comical interplay between Chan's happy-go-lucky farmer and the fearless, snobbish general who looks down on his opportunistic kidnapper drives the 96-minute film.

At first glance, Chan and co-star, singer Leehom Wang are hopelessly miscast. How can the world's biggest ethnic Chinese star pass for a small-time soldier? And how can a Chinese-American pop sensation raised in Rochester, New York and known for his good looks convincingly play a brash general from ancient China?

Wang's portrayal is indeed tenuous - he still speaks Chinese with a noticeable American accent. But Chan shines in his offbeat role, bringing a lovable folksiness to his lowly character. He's infectiously carefree and upbeat, putting a positive spin on the most desperate of situations. "Things are going pretty well" is his mantra.

And the chemistry between Chan and Wang is obvious, their awkward attempts to thwart their attackers reminiscent of Chan's successful comic pairings with Chris Tucker in the "Rush Hour" series and Owen Wilson in "Shanghai Noon" and "Shanghai Knights." The biggest running joke is the farmer's utter lack of kung fu prowess. Chan is shown pointlessly waving his wooden baton when facing down more competent opponents.

The two leading men are helped by the superb and tightly written script by Chinese director Ding Sheng, who beautifully teases out the personalities and personal histories of the two characters.

"Little Big Soldier" also reinforces Chan's trend of taking greater creative risks in his Chinese-language work than his Hollywood productions, where he rarely strays from action comedy. It's his second innovative Chinese-language role in a row. In one of his darker roles of late, Chan played an illegal Chinese immigrant who becomes a hit man for the Japanese mafia in his last Chinese film, "Shinjuku Incident." In a departure from his usually wholesome image, Chan is shown committing murder and paying for sex.

Chan's new movie also shows that it's possible to be creative within the often-soulless genre of the big-budget Chinese epic that has come to dominate the local industry. Superficially, "Little Big Soldier" is another action-packed war movie featuring grand battle scenes set in the vast Chinese outback. Except it's anything but. It's a lovely story of friendship and humanity in the face of endless warfare and destruction.

SOURCE: THE RECORD.COM

Interesting Article/Review on Little Big Soldier

(“山下土肥呦，地呀地五亩啊，五亩良田呦种点啥……鸡肥鹅肥呦，牛呀牛羊壮啊，种豆种稻呦，油菜花！”
　　原来小人物的梦想，就是“开心农场+开心牧场”）
　　
　　
　　 一
　　
　　有狐绥绥，在彼淇梁。心之忧矣，之子无裳。
　　有狐绥绥，在彼淇厉。心之忧矣，之子无带。
　　有狐绥绥，在彼淇侧。心之忧矣，之子无服。
　　
　　在成龙的电影里听到《诗经》，惊诧度不亚于在张艺谋的电影里看到了二人转。那场戏，我不知道有多少朋友看懂了，因为它复杂地就像余则成的眼神。梁兵（成龙）俘虏了卫太子（王力宏），押着他到一处废弃民居，遇到一个流浪歌姬（林鹏）。歌姬下了药汤，并解衣歌舞助兴，唱的正是这首《诗经?卫风?有狐》。那场戏不长，在剧情上似乎可有可无，但细究起来很有意思：
　　
　　●歌姬下药汤，原意是想迷翻梁兵，因为梁兵戴着卫太子的将盔，而歌姬的亲人都死于卫太子的连年征战；她选唱《卫风》，也是以为梁兵是卫将。
　　●这首《有狐》，是女向男求爱的情歌，说良人虽贫无衣裤，但自己仍然爱他。当时梁兵正是衣衫褴褛，此曲正是十分应景的挑逗；而同时也是质询：为什么你是卫将，却穿乞丐装？可惜对牛弹琴，梁兵哪里懂得这些？
　　●梁兵听不懂的，卫太子却听得懂。他认定歌姬是卫人，所以当歌姬捧汤近前时，低声向她求救。歌姬本意就是想救他，但见他此举，却说：“这汤本来不想给你喝的。”于是灌他喝汤。
　　●可能由于对两人身份琢磨不透，所以歌姬没有加害他们，只是在卫太子耳边说了句“报应”。这两个字，最后才由卫太子道出，辉映着挂在许愿树上的“太平”。而“报应”就是，怕死的梁兵以身殉国，而不怕死的卫太子，却投降秦国。
　　
　　（另一说，《有狐》是妻子怀念久役不归的丈夫。歌姬在许愿树山崖再唱此曲，应是此意，借以呼应和平的主题。故而前者妖冶，后者超然出尘。）
　　
　　
　　 二
　　
　　不仅如此，这部“成龙电影”竟向刚去世的塞林格致敬，这比成龙大哥上百家讲坛讲《诗经》，更让我惊诧。尤其是那场梦境：梁兵在跟麦田一样黄澄澄的油菜花地里，喜悦地奔跑，突然油菜花丛中，闪出他曾救过的小乞丐，拿箭指着他，将他射倒……那个小乞丐是片中象征意味很浓的符号，出现了好几次，有兴趣的朋友不妨留意一下。我想成龙大哥借用麦田意象，是想和霍尔顿一样发出“救救孩子”的呼声，毕竟“爱护和平，从娃娃抓起”，成龙大哥甘当“油菜花田守望者”。
　　
　　除了油菜花田、小乞丐，电影里符号性的东西还很多，有考据癖的朋友，不妨探讨一下其中的深意。比如：
　　●旗
　　影片由护旗而始、护旗而终。卫军遭梁军伏击，卫太子拼死保护卫旗不倒，却被装死的梁兵偷袭，成了俘虏，故事由此展开。而故事最后，梁兵回到梁国，却发现梁国已灭，原本贪生怕死的他，为护最后一杆梁旗不倒，被乱箭射死。
　　
　　●我爹说
　　本片中出现频次最高的台词。作为极为重要的隐藏人物，“我爹”能说、能画、能写：说话像赵本山，满嘴跑的都是“老鹰小鸡，放在锅里都是肉”之类，期待有过耳不忘的朋友，整出“我爹”语录；能画地图，其实这地图本身作用不大，关键为亮出背后“我爹”的书法：太平（在那个时代能写字的，可不是一般人）。
　　
　　●挺好的
　　本片出现频次第二高的台词，“我爹”的口头禅，其核心思想是“只要活着，挺好的”的乱世生存哲学。在“我爹”光辉思想的忽悠下，一心想重建大国荣耀的卫太子，不战而降秦国。
　　
　　●小人物
　　又一高频台词，卫太子的口头禅，但说得多了，让人感觉有点生硬，成了强贴的标签，就为了告诉大家：大哥这次真的只是一个“小人物”哦。
　　故事的结局还揭示这样一个道理：小人物干大人物的事，只能自取灭亡；而大人物有小人物的胸怀，却能泽被苍生。
　　
　　●五亩田
　　梁兵俘虏卫太子，是为了回国换五亩田，种油菜花，过上“农妇、山泉、有点田”的幸福生活。
　　其实，当时的100亩只相当于如今的29.07亩。也就是说，那么帅的卫太子，只能换1.45亩的田；原来小人物的梦想，就是想有块“开心农场”。
　　
　　在一部电影里，安插这么多符号性的东西，成龙大哥是在不断提醒人们注意他的改变：成龙的电影，也开始有深度了。尽管这个“深度”，早在《英雄》、《墨攻》、《麦田》就被别人探底了，但成龙大哥还是找到了一个不错的视角，发掘了一个不错的“新人”（王力宏），加上成龙电影一贯的打斗、搞笑元素，即使抛开那些符号、深度，也是今年最值得一看的贺岁片。
　　
　　 三
　　
　　看电影，最怕孩子多。今年的贺岁档，竟撞上了三次“小鬼当家”：《喜羊羊和灰太狼》自不必说，另两部则是成龙的《邻家特工》和《大兵小将》。或许在小朋友眼里，成龙大哥就跟灰太狼一样可爱吧。只是《邻家特工》里，56岁“灰太狼”的插科打诨，多少让我有点心酸。
　　我常常将成龙的电影混淆，因为每部电影是那么相似，成龙老是那个成龙。所以，我对成龙大哥这次的励精图治，先给以3颗星的支持。
　　1颗星给片中的两位佳丽：林鹏和新七小福中的徐冬梅。林鹏的两段歌舞很惊艳，但在剧情上，似乎可有可无。徐冬梅演的是蛮族女将，因此除了哼哼哈哈就没像样的台词，但扮相充满野性美，很让人心痒痒。
　　还有1颗星，要给王力宏。作为歌坛天王，王力宏在电影上的表现却乏善可陈，惨到要去拍三级片《色戒》。但这次他演的卫太子，不着华服，却气质雍容、从容淡定，“龙-王组合”也配合默契，34岁的王力宏，总算被成龙大哥领上道了。
　　
　　 四
　　
　　本片的背景设定在战国末期，卫、梁交战。这有悖历史常识。因为，春秋战国800年，卫国一直很弱小，几次被灭，都是在别国帮助下复国。正是因为它实在太弱，秦始皇后来都懒得灭他，一直到秦二世废掉卫君角（就是片中的卫太子），卫才算正式亡国，这时距秦朝统一天下已经12年了。像卫国这样弱得不能再弱的国家，要说它有称雄天下的野心，真是扯淡了。而当时的梁国，指的是战国七雄中的魏国（因定都大梁，别称梁国），不知比卫国要强大多少倍。
　　
　　当然，对于这样一部好看的电影，这点硬伤只能算是吹毛求疵。

Source: WXRB.COM

Translation: MUCH MUCH THANKS TO DACREJAMES - explanatory comments have been added in red at various points.  

Little Big Soldier：Promotes the "Book of Songs", Pays a Tribute to Salinger

(Under the mountain, the soil is fertilized on five acres of land. What should I grow on five acres of land? The chickens are fat, gooses are fat, cows and goats are strong. Plant beans, plant paddies, canola flowers! - Indeed, the dream of an insignificant figure is to have a peaceful farmland and peaceful ranch.)

One

A fox lopes slowly, on the stone bank of the Qi River.
My heart is worried, that you don't have warm clothes.

A fox lopes slowly, by the river ford.
My heart is worried, that you don't have a belt.

A fox lopes slowly, on the other side of the river.
My heart is worried, that you don't have a new coat.
(This is a poem from the "Book of Songs". A fox refers to a man.)

Hearing the "Book of Songs" in a Jackie Chan film is no less amazing than seeing a song and dance duet in a Zhang Yi Mou film. I don't know how many people actually understood that scene because it is as complicated as the look in Yu Ce Cheng's eyes (he is a character in a Chinese drama series called "Lurk" who is somewhat based on a true historic figure working for the KMT Military Council)After the Liang soldier (Jackie Chan) captured the Wei prince (Lee Hom Wang), they met a wandering female singer (Lin Peng) on the journey back to the Liang state. In a scene, she left poison on their food, loosened her clothes and sang "There's a Fox". That scene wasn't long and wasn't necessary to the plot but it carried a lot of meaning:

• The reason for poisoning and causing harm to the Liang soldier was because her kin died during battle and she thought he was the Wei prince because he wore the Wei prince's helmet. 
  
  
• The poem "There's a Fox" is generally a love poem about a woman courting a man. It talks about how one can love the other despite the other being poor and having nothing to wear. This poem was suitable for flirting in the scene because the Liang soldier was dressed shabbily and at the same time, the poem asked an indirect question: "Why are you dressed like a beggar although you are the Wei prince?" Unfortunately, he couldn't have answered because how would he have known these things?
   
  
• Although the Liang soldier did not understand, the Wei prince did. But he thought the singer was someone from the Wei state so when she came towards him to give him the soup, he whispered to her for help. The singer's initial plan was indeed to help him (The one that the singer wanted to harm was the Wei prince, not the Liang soldier. But since she thought the Liang soldier was the Wei prince, OBVIOUSLY she thought the Wei prince was the Liang soldier! So no harm in helping the "Liang soldier"!) but, for some reason, she said, "I wasn't going to make you drink this at first." and then she made him drink the soup.
  
  
• Maybe it was because she wasn't sure of their identities but she didn't harm them further. She merely whispered the word "retribution" in the real Wei prince's ear (whom she thought was the Liang soldier). And this word was only revealed by the real Wei prince at the end to echo the glory of the word "peace" that was hung on the wishing tree. That "retribution" was: The Liang soldier sacrificed his life for his state in the end but the brave Wei prince surrendered to the Qin state.
  
  
• (Another interpretation of "There's a Fox" is "a wife longing for her husband who has gone away for a long time". I guess when the singer sung that poem again under the wishing tree, she was trying to implicate "peace" - to become a better person from her flirtatious self.)
  

Two

This Jackie Chan film is a tribute to the late J.D. Salinger, which surprises me more than him talking about the "Book of Songs" on "Bai Jia Jiang Yun" (a Chinese show). Especially in this dream scene: "The Liang soldier was running happily on a land full of canola flowers when suddenly he sees a young beggar whom he once saved aiming and shooting an arrow at him." That young beggar is a symbol that signifies something very strong in the film. He appeared a number of times so if you are interested, watch out for that. I guess Jackie Chan wanted to use that "field" scene because he wanted to convey a "save the children" message like Holden. Because he loves peace, he was willing to be a canola flower field watchman (like Holden's Catcher in the Rye).

Besides canola flowers and the young beggar, there are lot of other things that symbolized something in the film. Those who have a liking towards information, you may check up on the following:

Flag

• The film begun with a raised flag and ended with a raised flag. At the beginning of the film, the Wei army was ambushed by the Liang army. In order to protect the Wei flag, the Wei prince fought hard with his life, only to encounter a sneak attack by a Liang soldier, who pretended to be dead, and end up as a captive. Yet at the end of the story, when the Liang soldier returned to his state and realised it had already been defeated, he, who initially was a coward and was afraid to die, died protecting his state's last flag.

"My Father Said"

• This was the most frequently used line in the film. And this "father" is an important "hidden" character. The line, "My father speaks well, draws well and writes well." is like a line said by Zhao Ben Shan (a Chinese skit and sitcom actor)who frequently quotes his father. In the film, the father has the ability to draw maps. But what's important isn't the map itself but the word the father wrote behind it: Peace (In that era, those who can write were not your average person).

"How Marvelous"

• This was the second most frequently used line in the film. It's the Liang soldier's catchphrase. In his heart, he felt: "As long as you live, all will be well because troubled times will always pass." It's like the Wei prince who wanted glory for his state but who decided against war in the end and surrendered to the Qin state.

"Insignificant Figure"

• Another greatly used line. The Wei prince's catchphrase. Because it was used too many times, it gave people the feeling that the phrase was rather stiff and rigid. It became a strong tag (on the Liang soldier) for the purpose of telling everyone that: Jackie Chan really is a little insignificant figure in this film. But in the film, there is another meaning to this phrase: When a small figure does the work of a big figure, he will only bring harm to himself. But when a big figure possesses the tolerance of a small figure, great things can be achieved.

Five Acres of Land

• The Liang soldier captured the Wei prince for the reason that, in return, he wanted five acres of land to plant canola flowers, marry a wife and have a bit of land to lead a happy life. Actually, 100 acres at that time is like 29.07 acres today which means he would have gotten a mere 1.45 acres of land in exchange for the captured Wei prince. But that is his dream - to have a peaceful piece of farmland.

To have so many things symbolizing different things in a film, Jackie Chan continually reminds us of his change: That Jackie Chan films are getting deeper. But despite having its depth, films like "Hero", "A Battle of Wits" and "Wheat" have already touched on topics like these. Still, Jackie Chan was able to find a different perspective and also discover a rather good newbie (Lee Hom Wang). Together with the film's action scenes and funny elements, the film would still have been the most worth-watching new year film even without the symbols or its depth.

Three

When you go and watch a film, you're always afraid there will be a lot of children. On the list of new year films this year, there are already three films that are suitable for children to watch: "Pleasant Goat and the Big Big Wolf", and two Jackie Chan films, "The Spy next Door" and "Little Big Soldier". Maybe in the eyes of children, Jackie Chan is as adorable as the grey wolf. But in "The Spy Next Door", this 56-year-old "grey wolf's" comical parts had me feeling a little heartache.

• I always get his films mixed up because every film is so similar. Jackie Chan is always just Jackie Chan. So, just for his effort in making the country more peaceful, I'll give the film three stars this time:

One star is for the two beauties in the film: Lin Peng and Lucky 7's Xu Dong Mei. Lin Peng's two routines of song and dance were breath-taking but might not have been necessary for the film. As for Xu Dong Mei, because she acted as a barbaric female leader, she had no proper dialogue except for a lot of "hems and haws". But her appearance gave off a sense of wild beauty which many would admire.

Another star is for Lee Hom Wang. He is a "king" in the musical world but has nothing to show for in term of film achievements. He even had to act in an x-rated film like "Lust, Caution". But acting as the Wei prince this time round with no glamourous clothing, his charm was still magnificent and he acted as a very calm and indifferent person. There was also chemistry between Jackie Chan and Lee Hom Wang. Finally, 34-year-old Lee Hom Wang is led on the right path by Jackie Chan.

Four

The film's story is timed near the end of the Warring States period, with Wei and Liang at war. The story contradicts historical facts because during the Warring States period, Wei state was such a weak state, it got defeated a number of times. It was always other states who helped restore the state. Because it was so weak, Qin Shi Huang did not bother to destroy it. It was only later when the second emperor of Qin abdicated the Wei ruler (that's the Wei prince in the film), that it was considered officially destroyed. This was already twelve years after the rise of Qin dynasty (In the film, the rise of Qin dynasty either happened when the Wei prince was not yet the ruler or happened at the same time when he became a ruler. It wasn't clearly shown). For a weak state like Wei, it would be totally nonsensical to say that it had the ambition to rule the world. As for the Liang state, it is historically the Wei Kingdom (this is a different "Wei" from Wei state) , one of the seven strongest states during the Warring States period. It was a kingdom stronger than Wei state by a thousand fold. In this film, it is called "Liang" because the capital of Wei Kingdom at that time was called "Da Liang".

Of course, for a good film like this, to complain about such a small defect is to be hypercritical.

Some information on the reference to J.D. Salinger:

J.D. Salinger - Catcher in the Rye WIKIPEDIA


The relevant quote/thought from the book is this:

Mr. Antolini tells Holden that it is the stronger man who lives humbly, rather than dies nobly, for a cause.

The comparative scene to the canola field scene is this:

Holden (the main character) shares a fantasy he has been thinking about (based on a mishearing of Robert Burns' Comin' Through the Rye): he pictures himself as the sole guardian of numerous children running and playing in a huge rye field on the edge of a cliff. His job is to catch the children if they wander close to the brink; to be a "catcher in the rye".

I must point out that I don't believe one can take the comparison further than just a superficial level as the book and in particular the entire symbolism of the scene from the book is entirely different from what I understand the scene in the movie to convey. Superficially the desire to 'save the children' is the only parallel I can see. Although I have not seen the movie yet but I do not believe that the deeper themes of the book can possibly apply to the movie.

Review Little Big Soldier - Malaysian Today

Jackie's Back
Fresh from his folley as the fumbling spy next door, Hong Kong star Jackie Chan stars in a new outing and does superbly well even without his signature stunts, flying kicks and somersaults.

After the disastrous 'Spy Next Door', it is a welcome sight to see Jackie Chan in a proper big-budgeted flick. Just like James Cameron's 'Avatar', action comedy Little Big Soldier is a tale that took Jackie Chan many years (20 precisely) to finally put to production. But instead of bringing us to the far future, he takes us on a journey to ancient times, at a time where the various states of China were at war for power and control.

Jackie plays an unnamed soldier from the Liang state, which are at war with the Wei state. A massive ambush results around 2,000 casualties on both sides, leaving him and a young Wei general (Wang LeeHom) as the only survivors. He takes the general captive and heads back to Liang hoping for a big plot of land and ultimately, exemption from the army. Obviously the two do not get along well and get stuck in a range of tight situations. Facing many obstacles from enemies to nature, the two eventually develop some form of respect for one another. This is done really well as it doesn't feel forced or unnatural.

Jackie does a great job playing the opportunistic deserter who is armed with packets of blood and a spring-loaded arrow on his armor; anything to avoid actual conflict. LeeHom surprises with his role too, playing a dignified general who has seen many wars and is generally unimpressed with the deserter's cheap tactics. Along their adventure-filled journey the captor and the captive gained respect for one-another. The two share great chemistry and it's not hard to like them.

Those looking forward to Jackie's martial art moves might be disappointed as he is showing his age and wisely opts to reduce it to funny gags, leaving the fighting to those who can do it with full energy. Another thing to point out is the cinematography for this movie, which is just spellbinding. From the mountains to the forest, this US$25million film uses the best scenery, ensuring everything appears as realistic and authentic as possible. They also went to great lengths with the cool-looking costumes.

Little Big Soldier might possibly be one of Jackie's better films of late, and is an entertaining overall package that should surprise many who have absorbed many of his numerous Hollywood films of late.

PS: As always, stick around for the credits to watch his usual trademark out-takes!

MALAYSIAN TODAY

Little Big Soldier Review

Really nice review of Little Big Soldier - I have to say I can barely contain my impatience to watch this movie .. but ... I have toooooooo.......

Little soldier, big laughs
Review by AMY DE KANTER


Jackie Chan’s Little Big Soldier brings in the New Year with tiger-sized roars of laughter.

Christmas has Santa Claus, Easter has the Easter Bunny, Chinese New Year has Jackie Chan. He is a small screen tradition, his movies are as much a part of the holidays as red packets and New Year songs. Though usually we have to settle for the classics on TV, this year we can head over to the cinema of our choice and watch his newest release, Little Big Soldier.

Little Big Soldier is, auspiciously, Chan’s 99th film, one in which he triple-hats as star, action director and producer. He is as remarkable and as funny as ever.

The story takes place during a particularly brutal time in China’s history; during the war between the Liang and the Wei. It is a time when there is no honour in living peacefully, happily or in living at all. Soldiers are expected to die and to take as much of the enemy as they can with them when they do.

Battle deaths in the film are frequent and gruesome thanks to the crude weapons of the time — arrows, heavy swords and huge axes. No one goes gently.

The opening of the film looks like one of the old game animatics, like the opening sequence of Diablo. A great battle has just been fought and, apparently, lost by both sides. The landscape is an open-air graveyard of soldiers. Those who were not killed outright have finally succumbed to their wounds and all is silent except for the cawing of the crows feasting on eyeballs..

A soldier sits upright. This is Chan’s character and, despite the arrow that seems to have pierced his chest, he is just fine.

Chan is a Liang foot soldier and about as useless in battle as anyone could be. It turns out that two more warriors have survived the carnage, one from each side. As they start fighting to the death to protect their flags, Chan cowers behind dead bodies, watching and waiting.

The victor of the fight is a general for the Wei. He raises his flag but then collapses and the hiding soldier comes back out, ties the general up and starts dragging him home.

Despite first impressions, we learn that Chan’s character is not a coward. Nor is he a soldier. He is a peasant who, like all the others, has been forced to join the troupes. All he wants is to return to his peaceful life.

Now he can. There is a reward for bringing back enemy generals: being excused from combat and given land for farming. He could ask for nothing that would make him happier and refers to his captive as his “only luck”.

The brave general is furious to find himself the prisoner of this “little man”, but even if he were not tied up, his battle wounds are too severe for him to put up a good fight.

Not that he doesn’t try every chance he gets, but the soldier holds on stubbornly to his prisoner; his last and only chance to be released from the battlefields.

The general is not the soldier’s only worry. The Wei’s crown prince is hot on their trail with a private entourage of warriors. They are seeking the general to kill him. The reason why they want to destroy a hero from their own side is only explained near the end of the movie.

On top of that, there is a hungry bear that comes sniffing after them plus they’ve made bad decisions, one of the worst involves a beautiful woman they just happen to come across in the middle of nowhere.

Neither a comedy nor an action film, Little Big Soldier is a war drama. So much about the story is tragic, including the soldier’s story. He is a man who wants nothing but peace and the freedom to live his life but war mongers block even these small dreams.

In times of war, words like honour, glory, courage and peace are twisted up with killing. One wishes (as we do in modern times) that all the people who actually want war would do us the favour of getting on with it and finishing each other off. Unfortunately, the way it works — the way it has always worked — is that the war machine feeds on the innocent. A gentle peasant who has never hurt anyone is given a sword and asked to kill and die.

Now that I’ve thoroughly depressed you, let me assure you that although Chan’s character is the only humorous thing about the movie, he is enough. You will laugh, frequently and loudly. Though you may cry a little bit, too.

STAR E-CENTRAL

Professor of Communication University of China: "The Myth" bold artistic innovation

SFS Emperor Qing Li Kui system Guoneishoubu through Teleplays "myth" to carry momentum Thunder landing Heilongjiang, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Henan, 4 Star, began to broadcast on the satellite. Prior to "myth" as the CCTV-opening drama has achieved high ratings with the response, close to the Lunar New Year, four TV will launch a "myth" of the hot network, in order to have the students leave family, presented through the drama of the gift. Recently, Professor of Communication University of China well-known critic, Zeng Qingrui written project review articles, comments "myth" made a bold attempt to artistic innovation, the activation of different television viewers to meet the different aesthetic passion and fun.

In addition, the Shadow King also announced a "myth 2" project started collecting scripts creative, "myth" brand will continue to distribute charm

Professor of Communication University of China Zeng Qingrui:

Creation and distribution of "myths" such a drama, all the writers, artists and television culture industry workers in an attempt to use a different kind of realism and romanticism, but belongs to the absurdist modernism modernist the aesthetic spirit, aesthetic principles and the creative method. With the absurd narrative strategies and narrative pattern to continue to practice a new variety TV series exploring the art of innovation, to construct a Chinese TV drama audiences in mind the myth of art.

I would like to explore the "myth" that try to construct the pros and cons. There were many comments on the Internet, to study the repeated statements of why the "myth" since the launch of "fame", talk about a lot of reasons, the favorable factors, but also talk with Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong symbols. I saw the introduction of the story as the text is also said to be "the first ancient history and modern history intertwined in parallel with each other through the evolution of the theme of drama." At the same propaganda and the term is a play which the audience can either enjoy the soul-stirring, magnificent ancient armored cavalry epic, but also can experience the national treasures like the mystery, mystery looms solution.

Regardless of the ancient and historical, modern and two at the turn of the millennium of the Qin and Han Dynasties how butt, no matter how much personal appearances matter, or we perform a number of historical events and human legend, I think the "myth" or a love of theater nuclear. The modern part is easy to Ogawa and high the love story of Lan, the Qin Dynasty is easy to Ogawa and Yu-Shu Meng Yi, as well as, the emotional entanglement between Xiaoyue. Only these two ancient and modern love story is one we have built up a special platform to start deduction. So I think that all of the historical story, the interpretation of historical events, historical figures and modern all kinds of plot appearance design, are intended to build such a love of the platform, so set the background, or that we placed the main scene of this drama .

Originally a man and several women's stories, in our television work which is repeated three to be interpreted, and why the "myth" of the past and present five women and one man's story makes so many viewers concerned about this? I think the media's analysis and interpretation has some truth, but not all of the reasons, but also the emergence of Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong is not the main reason. Culturally speaking, I Shanxi, "television series," This year the first phase of the sentence begins, after revision, "TV" magazine in the sixth page of talking love is the most beautiful mythology, there is a saying that the lack of love is never easy to close Ogawa His woman, basically every play there has aroused a woman of easy Ogawa and historical bridge. Strange to say, in the modern romantic suave can be justifiably Ogawa to polygamy is no longer being romantic era of suave. Why "TV" magazine that the phrase derives from it, as five women, including the practice of love as Concubine Yu publicity practice? It captures a female viewer psychology.

Why is "myth" so that everyone can be interested, I feel good-looking? Probably because in front of the "myth" in that the frame of this movie may also have "Step into the Past" in there, the story is actually a male-centered tradition of Jia Baoyu, Lin Tai-yu, Xue Bao-chai brother, sister, a variant of the story. Although the outcome of this story is difficult for lovers to become dependents of the tragedy of the story, but the story in the evolution of male-centered cultural elements and other elements of the combination of humanities, making it a different interpretation. What do the different cultural elements? The Way We like handsome guy, and strengthen the audience for some specific groups of the attractiveness ratings. In particular, the ordinary is easy to Ogawa Meng Yi Cao Min, or the ordinary, namely, was able to conquer the three great national leaders-level contemporary hero, emperor, Liu Bang, Xiang Yu's other half. Emperor of Chong Fei, Liu Bang, the so-called hardships couples Lv Zhi, Xiang Yu Aiqie Concubine Yu and later being able to have such an elegant feeling anything to do this kind of cultural elements of a priori doomed it is able to attract a specific audience groups eye. There are modern archaeological Raiders of the story of Qin social, military, political and cultural life in Taipei, including the right of the court the money within the struggle of human nature are very useful for a variety show created the story so fascinating kind of art charm, unlike in a very mediocre television we see a woman, several men, a woman or a man of several interpretations. This is the creator and director is very intelligent, ultra-high places.

Unconscious or in some men, hiding in the inner world, the deep with polygamous eccentric fantasy, the young female audience for male chauvinists will be a dream of winning the ratings. This will be driven to watch the psychological in nature and very often look at TV viewing time to protect people to participate in the creation of the TV drama "myth" myth of the audience. Play the main character and the fate of attractive non-attractive, good-looking or ugly story, The story clearly is not clear, fluid is not smooth, lively and not vivid, and moving is not moving, including the screen shape can delight, a word there No art is also still very important factor.

First, this drama is regarded by many fashion and more fashion elements to folder inclusive rub together.

Second, the use of television in China is extremely rare non-realistic narrative art of the Absurd.

In particular, the latter I think it did a bold artistic innovation attempt.

We should say that whether you like it or not TV in the figure, like it or not something else, good-looking is a fact. Exaggeration to say that, even if you know it Manzhi ridiculous statement, you also are interested in reading through the policy, and why? I think that the narrative on the key creative director and a very easy way out are very clever strategy. Broadcast in the existing ecological environment adapted to the different TV shows simultaneously, or different audience expectations and needs of the aesthetic, the activation of different television audiences met a different aesthetic passion and fun, but also in many taboos and constraints of broadcast found between the artistic elements and commercial elements quite cleverly combined the ability to avoid the risk of survival and development.

Source: SOHU.COM or TRANSLATED

Closing lines to a review of Spy Next Door

These closing lines to a review of Spy Next Door made me smile:

I have always been impressed that the Jackie Chan film made in Hollywood always have Chinese elements. This film has Jackie singing songs to coax a little girl to sleep in Chinese, and goes with three children to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Although he spoke the English, wearing a suit, but he never forgets that he is Chinese, and shoulders the obligation to promote the Chinese culture. Whenever I see these things, I always look on Jackie Chan with special favor

Source: 163.COM or TRANSLATED

'Spy Next Door' gets favourable reviews in China

Interestingly 'Spy Next Door' is getting favourable reviews in China.

BEIJING, January 15 Xinhua today, the Hollywood film "Next Door operatives" premiere, this is the first time to play Jackie Chan starring Hollywood film. At the same time also "Affan up" exclusive screen, two weeks later, the first release of the Lunar New Year film. Premiere popular hot spot, according to Wanda, star feedback from the U.S. theaters, film premiere attendance in the nine games into the above, many parents take their kids along with viewing.

Tablets, 56-year-old Jackie Chan is still taking action line. The entire film is a total of 9 times a fight, opening up to one and a half minutes of action performances, winning a round of applause. Film there are many breathtaking scenes exaggerated in the oil refining market, the Jackie Chan and chase terrorists staged a war, whether it is climbing stairs, or high-altitude jump, Jackie Chan has a perfect appearance. In this age of Jackie Chan, to have such a performance, indeed breathtakingly. The greater increase in Jackie Chan's kung fu comedy, this reporter has had to rough, premiere audience laughed seven times, Comedy three times, the longest up to 2 minutes of laughter, especially the small audience, pouring in laughter.

There is a strong narrative film in the Hollywood color, twists and turns, interlocking, and then a small place have also done a clever foreshadowing. Rhythm of the story clear, a young boy, through the emotional violence of wire line and two plot threads start at the same time. There is also Jackie Chan Hong Kong films, the audience accustomed to the fast-paced, reflecting the film lay out in front of an overly complex and excessively bureaucratic, it is better to go directly to the jolly story.

In addition, the cinema, comedy foreign portfolio team won most of the audience recognized. 3 U.S. imp different characters, there Funny talent show very interesting story. One four-year old Laura, received unanimous praise from the audience. Jackie Chan co-operate with the successful interpretation of a number of the audience for her pinch Khan lens, whether it's throwing up a high free-fall of the trousers, or have been top since Rocker was hooded fishing nets, they all gave viewers insight of this imp of mischief and bravery.

It is learned that the film in the domestic digital and film will also be issued, a total of more than 1000 copies, in the simultaneous release in all cities. This combines the warmth and movement Funny story, there is a strong family atmosphere, just entered winter break for the children presented a special gift.

Source: ENT.IFENG.COM or TRANSLATED

Although the film plot is not new, but as a Lunar New Year film, the main style is one of warmth and is suitable for all ages to watch.

If you are a fan of Jackie Chan, then hastened to attend the viewing of his new film

SINA.COM or TRANSLATED

This one I am just going to give the LINK to because it reveals a great deal of the plot and 'secrets' of the movie. You can choose if you want to read it or not.

However not all the response is as good as the ones above. Some audience members felt the plot was 'nothing new' (which let's face it is definitely NOT new) and that the film lacked 'hi-tech gear' and felt the spy gadgets were out-dated. Some audience members were not impressed with the acting of the villains in the film saying it was 'stiff' (wooden) but even saying that they still felt the film was enjoyable.

Source: ENT.163.COM or TRANSLATED

In the meantime Lionsgate hope to capitalize on Jackie's fans -

Helmed by Brian Levant ("Are We There Yet?"), "Spy" looks likely to register into the high-teen millions through Monday.

"Jackie Chan hasn't been in a PG film for a while, so we're going to be able to capitalize on his fan base," Lionsgate distribution topper David Spitz said.

"Spy" co-stars George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus, both good draws for family moviegoers.

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER Capitalizing on Jackie's considerable fan-base is not a bad thing but taking advantage of them is. Even the loyalest of fans will eventually throw up their hands in disgust! Come on Hollywood - surely you can find a GOOD movie for Jackie that doesn't involve racial and sexist humour (Rush Hour series) or puerile kids movies that have been done to death.

Let's hope Karate Kid is all I am expecting it to be.

First Review: 'Spy Next Door'

As reviews go this isn't too bad. I must admit my expectations of this movie are not great in terms of adult entertainment. It's a kids movie. Hopefully it will be a reasonably decent kids movie and not too corny. It can't help but have a 'been there done that' feel to it because the theme is hardly new. As many have pointed out, including myself, that Jackie finally made 'The Pacifier'. Let's hope its good enough that adults who take their families to see it won't walk out going 'OH MY WORD!' or maybe they should but in a good way LOL.

I am really glad they stuck with the Jackie Chan tradition of including a blooper reel. Sometimes that is the best part of Jackie Chan movie - the funny bits not the ouch ones!

Anyway I guess the box office results will tell the final tale.

Lionsgate release of a Relativity Media production. Produced by Robert Simonds. Executive producers, Ryan Kavanaugh, Tucker Tooley, Ira Shuman, Solon So. Co-producer, Kenneth Halsband. Directed by Brian Levant. Screenplay, Jonathan Bernstein, James Greer, Gregory Poirier; story, Bernstein, Greer.

Bob Ho - Jackie Chan
Gillian - Amber Valletta
Farren - Madeline Carroll
Ian - Will Shadley
Nora - Alina Foley
Poldark - Magnus Scheving
Creel - Katherine Boecher
Larry - Lucas Till
Colton James - Billy Ray Cyrus
Glaze - George Lopez


It's a sad day for Jackie Chan fans when the action-comedy star is reduced to a vehicle as lame as "The Spy Next Door." As an undercover CIA agent ill-equipped to babysit his girlfriend's three kids, Chan struggles gamely to charm, but the pic's cartoonish jokes and misfired gags are likely to elicit more eye rolls than laughs. That said, little ones enticed by the trailer and devoted Chan fans may join forces to generate a decent opening weekend, followed by a sharp drop-off once this "Spy's" cover is blown.

Chan plays Bob Ho, a mild-mannered pen salesman by day who moonlights as an international spy. He's just the kind of simple, trusting guy his neighbor Gillian (Amber Valletta) wants in her life, but her three kids find him irredeemably boring. When Gillian is summoned out of town to care for a sick parent, Bob sees an opportunity, persuading her to leave him in charge of her brood: disaffected teenage daughter Farren (Madeline Carroll), nerdy prepubescent Ian (Will Shadley) and adorable 4-year-old Nora (Alina Foley).

A host of mini-crises ensue (a disastrous attempt to cook ends with smoke alarms blaring), all designed to spotlight Bob's incompetence on the domestic front. Only when Bob pulls out his spy gear, installing closed-circuit cameras and kiddie LoJacks -- parents take note -- do things start to turn around.

At the same time, there's also an international incident involving a sartorially challenged Russian villain, Poldark (Magnus Scheving) and a top-secret formula for bacteria-eating goop. Somehow, young Ian has intercepted and downloaded the formula on his iPod, a fact that immediately and inexplicably becomes known to the Russians, so it's not long before Poldark and his cronies come after Bob and the kids. Final reel involves a blow-out fight that packs plenty of stunt choreography, physical humor and sight gags timed to coincide with Halloween.

Thematically, the pic borrows a thing or two from "The Pacifier," the 2005 comedy in which Vin Diesel was the undercover agent left in charge of five kids. "Spy's" most effective sequences involve Bob's attempts to bond with the kids, in particular little Nora, which is understandable given helmer Brian Levant's track record with family comedies ("Beethoven," "Jingle All the Way").

As for Chan, he's far more persuasive as a comic charmer than as a romantic lead; he has much better chemistry with Carroll, Shadley and Foley than he does with Valletta. Now 55, Chan doesn't have quite the loose-limbed elasticity of his glory days, and though he may still perform some of his own stunts, there's a sense in "The Spy Next Door" of a star struggling to find a foothold.

It's a feeling underscored by David Newman's music, which strains toward the kind of cutesy, exaggerated playfulness that ought to have naturally emanated from the screen. As usual with Chan movies, the gag reel is not to be missed.

Camera (Technicolor), Dean Cundey; editor, Lawrence Jordan; music, David Newman; music supervisors, Happy Walters, Season Kent; production designer, Stephen Lineweaver; art director, Bryce Perrin; set designers, Paula Dal Santo, Derrick Ballard, Amahl Lovato; costume designer, Lisa Jensen; sound (Dolby Digital/DTS), Bill Daily; sound designer (Dolby Digital/DTS), Michael Payne; supervising sound editor, Mike Wilhoit; senior visual effects supervisor, Ed Jones; stunt coordinator, Bob Brown; assistant director, George Parra; casting, Jeanne McCarthy, Nicole Abellera. Reviewed at Lionsgate screening room, Santa Monica, Jan. 5, 2010. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 92 MIN.

Source: VARIETY.COM

Drunken Master II (Legend of Drunken Master) Blueray Review

So what's good about the movie? Well, what isn't good about a Jackie Chan movie?

Review @ IGN.COM

A Review of Shinjuku Incident from China

I found this review of Shinjuku Incident. The translation is readable and interesting to get a Chinese perspective on the film.

Review.