Assassin's Blade

Starring: Charlene Choi, Chun Wu, Ge Hu, Ti Lung

Synopsis:

Zhu Yanzhi (Choi), the daughter of a wealthy wine merchant (played by Ti Lung), is sent into the mountains disguised as a man to learn martial arts with an elite clan. Once there, Zhu finds herself at odds with her trainer and superior, Liang (Wu). However it’s not long before strong feelings of attraction are brewing between the pair, and when Liang discovers Zhu’s real identity, it would seem they are destined to be together. Just as they are about to admit their feelings toward each other, Mah, a childhood companion and ambitious court official, arrives to tell her that her parents are in danger and she must return immediately.

Although the trailer and DVD cover would have you believe Assassin’s Blade is an action-packed kung fu epic, it is in fact a comedic romance, touched by tragedy and some kick-ass action scenes. The original title for this film is The Butterfly Lovers, and it is a much more poignant and significant title for this story.

Charlene Choi is one half of pop duo Twins, and has appeared in period action films before (namely, Twins Effect 1&2), where she has irked me in her attempts to perform kung fu. Here though the story accepts that she’s no Michelle Yeoh and the character of Zhu is portrayed as someone to whom the skills of martial arts just won’t stick, no matter how hard she tries. Her lack of kung fu prowess leads to a couple of funny scenes with her sifu.

For the first three quarters of the film, Zhu is a romantic optimist and very naive about the “real world”. This is seen early on as she explores a bustling marketplace, oblivious that she is being targeted by different gangs of bandits and thieves. Charlene Choi makes no real attempt to disguise her femininity, other than to strap down her bosom, which makes the scenes where masculinity is automatically accepted quite amusing.

Whilst Zhilong and Liang go through the motions of unrequited love and hidden identities, we also follow Brother Mah. What is interesting is that at the beginning of the film he is portrayed as a loyal friend of Zhilong’s family, but it soon comes to light his true intentions, providing the second half of the film with something of an edge compared to the light-hearted frivolities of the first half.

The cast, though very engaging, tend to play the whole thing very “modern”, so it’s difficult to immerse yourself into the period detail – the sets and general production values are of a high standard. Charlene Choi handles the comedy very well, as she has in previous roles. Chun Wu, another popstar-turned-actor, is a suitable romantic foil and gets some decent fight scenes to boot. For a big fan of the Better Tomorror films such as I am, the big delight is seeing Ti Lung on-screen, even in a small supporting role.

Verdict

Ignore the attempt to sell this as a kung fu epic, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by a breezy romantic comedy which goes all Romeo and Juliet. Fans of Empress and The Warriors should check this one out.

6 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)