The atmosphere are mostly well done.. but the story kind of dragged on.
The story revolves around a famous meeting between 2 top generals vying to inherit a war torn China.
All the setup leading up to the meeting is just alright introducing the characters, the sides and the supporting cast. But this HK movie has the same tendency as others .. that it is too greedy and wants to have a bit of everything.
While I enjoy the tension leading up to the meeting. The meeting itself has to have some action - a bit too much. The 5 chess match is alright, but they are moved by 2 menacing grunts. A bit more imagination could be used here .. why not have a lavish meal and dance around smiling conversations with the chess match.
Then it meanders from twist to twist - showing every bit (and taking too much time). Then the whole tone shifted heavily towards a love story ending that was planted with a 10mins long scene in the first half. So about 20min too long for me.
And Leon doesn't quite fit the scheming type. He is not that evil looking, not even a hint.
The story revolves around a famous meeting between 2 top generals vying to inherit a war torn China.
All the setup leading up to the meeting is just alright introducing the characters, the sides and the supporting cast. But this HK movie has the same tendency as others .. that it is too greedy and wants to have a bit of everything.
While I enjoy the tension leading up to the meeting. The meeting itself has to have some action - a bit too much. The 5 chess match is alright, but they are moved by 2 menacing grunts. A bit more imagination could be used here .. why not have a lavish meal and dance around smiling conversations with the chess match.
Then it meanders from twist to twist - showing every bit (and taking too much time). Then the whole tone shifted heavily towards a love story ending that was planted with a 10mins long scene in the first half. So about 20min too long for me.
And Leon doesn't quite fit the scheming type. He is not that evil looking, not even a hint.