KineticSeoul Review of Bodyguards and Assassins

Bodyguards and Assassins (2009)

Okay build up, but don't care for the heroes sacrifices when it's all done and finished

[6/10 · 28 September 2010]

When I first saw the trailer to this film, I thought it was going to be a all out kung fu movie and to some degree it is. The first half of the film is basically the building of the main action in the movie. The plot is basically about a group of bodyguards that is trying to protect a man named Sun who is the leader of the revolutionaries that will overthrow the corrupt Qing Dynasty. Of course Empress Dowager Cixi of Qing Dynasty won't sit around for this to happen and sends assassins to kill Sun, who is the people hope. Now the first half the film has more to do with plotting, not a great story but still kinda deep for these types of films. Mainly to do with planning and recruiting, while also having and willing to sacrifice to reach a greater goal. Now for some of the first half of the film was kinda believable, well until the wacky kung fu stuff started happening during the second half. I will admit though, the first half of this film just wasn't entertaining and although the second half is super silly and not believable it was entertaining. Now although some claim this film is based on a true story, it's just laughable. It really does feel like your watching some kung fu mayhem than a actual real events. The movie also has some of the most stupid death scenes I ever seen, I mean at first you feel some sympathy for some of the characters but after watching some death scenes it all goes down the drain. In fact instead of feeling sad, it's just laughably stupid. Although the first half again was somewhat believable the drama in it was just so boring and the second half was entertaining but unconvincing for a movie about a actual event. At the end though you don't feel anything for the heroes sacrifices, instead it's just laughable and feels like the movie tries to insult them. I did enjoy some of the stupid action scenes though. 6.2/10