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I first saw the Heroic Trio on a TNT special about 3 years ago (along with Bride With White Haair). I remember Michelle Yeoh (whom I did not know then) talking about how Eastern films have more solid action than Western films. Well, it couldn't have been better said. I had almost forgotten how good this film is. The visual is awesome (has that "year 2050" feel), even when compared to the top-notch stuff that come out today. The story is quite powerful, and the chemistry between the helpless, devoted Professor and his beloved Invincible Woman is most noticeble. The plot is not confusing, although you may wonder (like I did) how it was possible for Wonder Woman to wonder around without his husband knowing it. But the story is all in all coherent, and it works well in all aspects. The level of violence is what really gets me. I hate Anthony Wong, and his role here is most disgusting. It almost ruined the movie for me. I mean, can I find a HK movie THAT DOESN'T HAVE HEAD BEING CUT OFF???? One thing that shines is the martial arts-oriented action, but that's exactly what I found unfulfilling. Grand as it may be, it is TOO martial arts-oriented. There is no doubt that Ching Siu Tung is the best swordplay choreographer around, but his ability is extremely limited: all his choregraphy look no different. I felt I was watching a period wuxia piece rather than a modern day fantasia. The same problem can be found in A Chinese Odyssey (which Ching choreographed too), where all the moves are in wuxia style, but the story is much closer to the fantasy genre. I personally find it unconvincing that People until this century were doing swordplay, suddenly stops for a century, and then whips out their swords again. But that's exactly what the choreography implies. Note that Yen Yee Kwan (Iron Master Robe in OUATIC 1) is the demon here. They disguised him well; I hadn't the slightest idea it was him. [9/10] |