SYNOPSIS :
A
Battle of Wits is based on a popular Manga series, BOKKO (Mak
Gong) about China's harrowing warlord period. An epic film
with lavish scenery and great action.
In
370 B.C., China was separated as seven nations and several
other small tribes, one of these being city of Liang with.
The nation of Zhao is led by the terrifying prime commander
Xiang Yangzhong who orders his troops to launch an attack
on Liang in a bid to conquer the small city.
Leaping
to the defence of the cowed people of Liang is a warrior who
goes by the name of Ge Li from the Mo-Tsu tribe (Mozi family/school
of Mozi) renowned for it's defensive skills. He is their last
hope as the terrors of Yangzhong's troops are unleashed. The
future of Liang now hangs in the balance, with all their hopes
pinned on the mysterious Mo-Tsu warrior Ge Li...
MOVIE REVIEW :
It
has been a while since we last saw a production of such epic
proportions coming out of the HK film industry. With a relatively
high budget contributed from film investors in China, HK and
Korea, “A Battle of Wits” fortunately has lots to
show unlike other pretentious productions.
Directed
by Jacob Cheung (“Cage Man”) and starring Andy
Lau, “A Battle of Wits” is about a Mohist warrior
being called to save the city of Liang. Based on a popular
manga series, the story mixes fiction with reality and a handful
of historical facts thrown in. However, there’s no rush
for you to pick up the series from the bookstore. Cheung who
also wrote the screenplay handles the pacing and character
development equally with ease. The action sets choreographed
by Tung Wai lacked the flashy elements but the level of realism
and witty war tactics greatly make up for it.
While
the use of CG has populated the war genre especially after
Peter Jackson implemented his CG armies in the “Lord
of the Rings” trilogy, Cheung knew his weaknesses and
constraint of his budget on hand and chooses to minimize it
and in place ironically a magnificent display of real actors
standing in with full armour and well-equipped with bows and
arrows.
Besides
the impressive logistics, popular actor/singer Andy Lau has
put in a tremendous mature performance as the peculiar Ge
Li. Other recommended performances include Wang Zhiwen as
the unappreciative King and Nicky Wu (the former singer from
the “Little Tiger” trio) and veteran Korean actor
Choi Si-won.
You
might not be aware of the numerous hidden messages in “A
Battle of Wits” after it has clocked in over 120 minutes,
you got to admit the battle has been fought, apparently the
cast and crew of “A Battle of Wits” has won over
our hearts.
SPECIAL
FEATURES :
The 20 minutes making of feature covers behind the
scenes, interviews with cast and crew and also promotional
events. There's also a short tour of the City of Liang movie
set. Included as well are teaser trailer for A Battle of Wits,
One Last Dance and Protégé.
AUDIO/VISUAL
:
There's a yellowish feel to the whole visual presented.
Perhaps it's due to the desert setting. The cinematography
must be commended for capturing the grandeur of the movie
and the vast sets that were built in China. Audio is presented
in both Cantonese and Mandarin. The disc also boasts a wonderful
Dolby Digital 5.1 track which of course helps in channelling
the numerous war sequences to your theater room.
MOVIE
RATING :
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
|
