The 3rd and last episode of 'Hero' and 'House of the Flying Daggers'. Ultimately is a bit of a let down. So much has changed politically in China since Yimou's 'Raise the Red Lantern'(91) that he seems to be missing a golden (exuse the pun)...
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The 3rd and last episode of 'Hero' and 'House of the Flying Daggers'. Ultimately is a bit of a let down. So much has changed politically in China since Yimou's 'Raise the Red Lantern'(91) that he seems to be missing a golden (exuse the pun) opportunity to be making films of far greater substance . Gong Li is coupled with another Chinese giant C. Yun Fat.

If you enjoyed Crouching Tiger, Hero, or House of Flying Daggers, you may still not enjoy Curse of the Golden Flower.

The movie following the lives of the royal family during the Tang Dynasty. There is an excessive amount of lying,...
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If you enjoyed Crouching Tiger, Hero, or House of Flying Daggers, you may still not enjoy Curse of the Golden Flower.

The movie following the lives of the royal family during the Tang Dynasty. There is an excessive amount of lying, backstabbing, incest, and other dark activities transpiring, contrasted against the brightly lit - indeed, as bright as any Chihuly - palace. However, the movie relies less on the dance and choreography of its predecessor fight scenes and more on a twisting, woven script.

The acting is impressive, but we care naught for the characters, be them victim or antagonist. The events themselves that move the plot along are indeed shocking at times, but they are so drawn out they become boring after the first hour of walking around the palace.

If it is one thing Director Yimou Zhang can convey, however, it is scale. And not just large scale scenes in the palace courtyard and beautiful rolling hills, but the crushing claustrophobia of small spaces in small country inns and rural estates. The opulence of the palace will have you rubbing your eyes after its two-plus hour running time.

However, despite strong cinematography, impressive visuals, and entertaining performers, the movie's pacing is too slow to keep the viewer engaged. There is also too little action to keep a martial arts fan's attention, as well.

I am normally so up for oriental films with lots of Kung Fu and fighting. But in this case the film is nothing like the trailer. In the trailer you see all the action there is and yes! I mean all of it!

So if you’re looking...
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I am normally so up for oriental films with lots of Kung Fu and fighting. But in this case the film is nothing like the trailer. In the trailer you see all the action there is and yes! I mean all of it!

So if you’re looking for where the curse is in this film you would be mistaken. As for the golden flower, this would be near the end when you have worked out what could of been said in five minutes. When it took the whole entire length of the film to tell you, you start to wonder, why did I watch this!

Sadly there is nothing here in this film, the story is poorly put together, the characters have no depth and the colours start to make you feel sick. There is so much wrong with this feature that even a pig would suggest it’s dislike.

The main characters drone on for most of the film about family and love that it gives you no idea of what is going in the films reality. You are mainly stuck inside the ugly palace during the whole film. The only other things you get to see is a canyon tunnel which is an interesting feature and the house which the medicine doctor was made Governor of.

The only time when things start to get interesting is when everyone begins to die and I mean everyone! But even then after the resetting of the yellow flowers and all the dead bodies cleaned up you still wonder, why did I watch that!

O ye, it was a five star trailer advertising a one star film!

Great filmmaking, wardrobe and sets were designed perfectly... in this aspect one of the prettiest asian movies I've ever seen. However, you have to see the story with the eyes of a critic because it's really hard to enjoy this kind of sad ending...
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Great filmmaking, wardrobe and sets were designed perfectly... in this aspect one of the prettiest asian movies I've ever seen. However, you have to see the story with the eyes of a critic because it's really hard to enjoy this kind of sad ending they all have...