Storm Warriors

Starring: Ekin Cheng, Aaron Kwok, Simon Yam, Nicholas Tse, Lam Suet, Charlene Choi

Synopsis:

Based on the long running HK comic strip, and sequel of sorts to Storm Riders: The evil warlord, Godless, and his son, Heart, have managed to capture, imprison the most renowned heroes of the land in their attempt at world domination, weakening them with poison. However a mysterious figure helps them by providing an antidote. The heroes attempt to escape: although injured, Wind, Cloud and their master, Nameless, manage to escape. Nameless tells Wind and Cloud they have the ability to defeat Godless, but they will need to improve their skills first...

Review:

The Storm Warriors is one of those films that is only likely to appeal to those who follow the comic book, as it is too po-faced and dull for anyone else, and is filmed in a way that makes it difficult to enjoy the visual spectacle.

The camera at times seems to have been positioned almost at random, so that some special effects seem almost out of shot. At other times, the Pangs go for a reality-based shaky cam, but the cameraman can hardly keep up with the actors, meaning we get shots of feet or people half offscreen.

Conversations are full of stilted and ludicrous dialogue. Nameless at one point tells Cloud that his powers are down to 10% - as if he were suddenly a video-game cipher, rather than a comic-book one.

Of all the actors in Storm Warriors , Lam Suet survives with the most dignity. Charlene Choi stands around moping. Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok, who’ve been here before in Storm Riders and other big budget fx movies, pull off the required poses and moves to sell the cgi fx that go with them (when they are visible). Simon Yam just looks constipated and can hardly move in the heavy armoured suit he has to wear. Nicholas Tse barely registers.

Verdict

It’s not just Hollywood who can disappoint with overblown blockbusters. The Pang brothers have brought forth a lifeless, cgi-filled mess that will only appeal to those who follow the comicbook and/or enjoyed Storm Riders.

4 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)

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