Customer Reviews
Curse of the Golden Soap Opera - By: JEY, 21 Oct 2008 
*WARNING- SEMI SPOILERS AHEAD*
This is basically about one of the most dysfunctional families EVER! Setin the good ol Tang Dynasty days when it was hip to be Emperor & you had about a gazillion flower arrangers at your beck & call, the plot mainly revolves around the disintegration of the royal family due to their own back stabber-y hi-jinks. Apparently it's not so hip to be an adulterating Empress, even if you do look very pretty all resplendentin your opulent gowns. It's amazing she can movein that stuff!
The entire movie's pretty opulent actually. It's like watching that panoramic bowing scene from 'The Last Emperor' crossed with an Olympic opening ceremony. There's more plotting & scheming than actual fighting, but when they start with the leaping & weapon chucking, it's very entertaining. It's also got Chow Yun Fatin it which is always a bonus for me, cause I just love Chow Yun Fat. I also enjoyed Gong Li's portrayal of the tragic Empress. She created a dangerously bitter but somewhat sympathetic character desperately struggling against her wretched circumstances. The actress Jin Chen also gave a noteworthy performance as the mysterious wife of the palace physician with her own agenda.
Overall it's basically a big fancy soap opera rather than the epic drama it wants to be, but it is fantastic to watch. Worth a gander.
Chinese eye Candy. - By: Aesop, 23 Jun 2008 This film is the 'ROlls ROyce' or the 'Ritz' version of 'Crouching Tiger, hidden Dragon'. However,in my opinion, Hero still has to reign supreme over these 3 most well-known chinese masterpieces.
There is no doubt that no expense has been spared producing & making this film. It is opulent, extravagant & has the most luscious, & grand sceneries, backdrops & costumes of the 3 films. Its storyline is just as if not a lot more complex to follow as well, especially if you're being distracted by all the extravagance & action. Gong li as ever is seductively, sublimely, beautiful. If nothing else, buy this to watch & admire her. I would give this 3 & a half stars.
Curse of the Golden Flower - By: Spider Monkey, 23 May 2008 
'Curse of the Golden Flower' is an epic saga of family loyalty & betrayal. The direction is truly sumptuous & the use of colour is as beautiful asin this directors other highly lauded films. The story kept me engaged the whole time & the film sets & costumes were amazing to see. The acting is excellent & you barely even notice you're reading subtitles this film keeps you so engrossed. Although not strictly a martial arts film, this does have some excellent martial arts scenes & the end battle is an epic tour de force. This is one to watch & appreciate again & again. Highly recommended.
Good film - but suffers in comparison to its brethren - By: J. Bassett, 09 May 2008 The Amazon review, above, actually sums it up rather well. It's a spectacular looking film that just suffers from being the third filmin a series where the first two are true cinematic greats. This is a very good film, just not on the same level as the excellent "Flying Daggers" & the simply breath-taking "Hero".
The cinematography is, once again, superb with a dazzling use of colour. But the plot drags along & the fight sequences don't seem so imaginative, flowing or beautiful as before.
Maybe if I hadn't already seen Hero I would have been more impressed but, as it is, I'm glad I've seen it for the sake of completion if nothing else.
Fantastic - By: Dmitri M. A. Hubbard, 15 Apr 2008 
Much better than "The Warlords" which I saw recently, & I would say considerably better than "The Banquet" which is along the same lines. Gong Li really gets into her role & the twists & turns continue to the exit curtain.
