REVIEW: CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
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SHAKESPEAREAN tragedy meets martial arts epic in the visually-sumptuous action adventure CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER (15).
Director Zhang Yimou, who brought us the equally impressive looking House of Flying Daggers and Hero, conjures up something close to a Chinese version of King Lear or Hamlet here - and something is certainly rotten in 10th century China.
While the public face of the Later Tang Dynasty is flamboyant and glamorous, in the inner sanctum, things are a very long way from happy.
The Emperor (Chow Yun Fat), his Empress (Gong Li) and the rest of the family are scheming against each other as a series of secret affairs and poison plots leave the empire ready to be overthrown.
The plot may be about as dark and sombre as a family warfare can get but it's all offset by some of the most gloriously opulent set designs ever committed to film.
The rich colours and intricate details are pure eye candy, while the exquisite costumes manage to make the beautiful Li, even more unbelievably attractive.
The film perhaps relies to heavily on the visuals - the plot certainly drags during the middle section - and those expecting wall to wall action will be disappointed.
But when Yimou wheels out the deadly assassins, the action is choreographed with real skill.
And by the time the massive Lord of the Rings-esque climatic invasion begins, all the film's sins are quickly forgiven. - JUSTIN MATLOCK
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