Movie Review: Reign of Assassins/劍雨

This review is very late, and in many ways perhaps too late; the film is not playing in many cinemas any more.

But since this is Hong Kong, you can take that as a sign of quality. This film is witty, stylish, fun, at times breathtaking, and worth every penny of your admission price.

Reign of Assassins/劍雨is the story of a struggle for the mortal remains of a martial arts master, possession of which bestows untold power.

Of course they do; no one ever fights to possess the power to wash and fold laundry instantly.

It’s always good to see Michelle Yeoh in a historical drama.

Yes, that’s a dig atSilverhawk.AndThe Touch.

It made me feel nostalgic, and it also made me realize just how long its been since real action stars graced the screen.

Michelle Yeoh isn’t young any more, and if she’s lost a step, we must forgive her. Time marches on, and for people in physicaly challenging jobs, time often walks all over you.

But she is still graceful, powerful, and quite simply bad-ass. It was a joy to watch her action scenes, because you could see her face in them much more frequently than any of her co-stars. She obviously did (and was capable of) much more of her own action work.

I won’t tell you much about the story, or its development. Watching it is part of the fun.

Especially one of the best plot twists I’ve seen in  years, which is both hilarious and acerbic.

What I will tell you is something I said to Kozo  last night that ties back to the opening of this review.

***Reign of Assassins/劍雨* is not doing well in Hong Kong because in some ways its pacing, style, and rhythm are much more suited to Western audiences than local ones.**

But what that also means is that  Reign of Assassins/劍雨is a story told with verve, patience, and skill.****

*Too many local films pander to the lowest common denominator and can make the viewer feel like he or she has taken the short bus (not the minibus) to the cinema.*

*I’m all for mindless entertainment, but that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of appreciating smart films. I think the same goes for the local audience.*

I’ve been moving house and preparing the launch of a new business venture. So this review is criminally late.

Because if my reviews mean anything to any of you in Hong Kong, then I often feel an obligation to promote good films and encourage people to see them.

Reign of Assassins/劍雨is one of those films. Please go see it wherever and whenever you can.

It’s a very, very good film and deserves our support.