300, Asian style - Battle of Wits

This movie is a pleasant surprise, given the mixed output of made in China epics of the past several years. Hero certainly stands out from the pack, while Seven Swords, the Promise, and others show plenty of gorgeous visuals but skimp on plot. Battle of Wits succeeds because its story is based on a classic scenario -- an oppressed group who, against all odds (and with the help of an outsider) defeat mightier invading forces. It is 4th century China, B.C. In one of the many attempts to unify a great country, the nation Zhao is on a campaign to conquer their neighbors, one of which is the city state of Liang. HK superstar actor Andy Lau stars as Ge Li, a member of the Mo-Tsu tribe, who are known for great military strategies, especially in defence. He is sent to Liang as a last ditch effort to save the city from the Zhao army. After proving his skills and worth as a leader, Ge Li is given temporary command of the Liang defences. To the Zhao army, Liang is a pit stop in the pursuit to a larger goal. However, they are rebuffed several times by the city, and many casualties are incurred. The Zhao army retreats, as they are called back to the main forces who are engaged against a much larger enemy. The city of Liang celebrates, and Ge Li is revered as their savior. However, not everyone is happy. The ruler of Liang and his court are jealous of Ge Li, and immediately plot to out him from the city. Ge Li also has developed a relationship with female cavalry captain Yi Yue (Fan Bing Bing), who is set to be bethrothed to the Liang ruler's son, also a fine soldier. Ge Li and the son had a disagreement early on, but after the battle the son grew to admire his rival. Yi Yue falls madly in love with Ge Li. Charges are trumped up against Ge Li, and he is exiled from the city. The soldiers attempt to assassinate him by flinging arrows at him and his supporters, but they fail. He is rescued by an African man who once served the Zhao army. Innocent people who supported Ge Li are killed, even Yi Yue is thrown into prison and sentenced to death for supporting him. On top of this, a thousand soldiers from the Zhao army are left behind to make one last surprise attack against the city. Their movements are detected by Ge Li and a band of men who remained loyal to him, including the ruler's son. The city is invaded,finally overrun by the army, and amid the chaos, Ge Li and his men manage to rally the troops and defeat the enemy. He searches for Yi Yue, who is trapped in her prison cell, which is being flooded by water that was seeping into the cells. But she is dead. He leaves the city, what is left of it, to continue to help others.

Yes, it is a pot boiler. An enjoyable one. A lot of comments have been made about the acting; while Andy Lau and Agn Sungki (the general) and others did well, there were a lot of thumbs down for the supporting cast, especially Fan Bing Bing and Nicky Wu. Perhaps so. But the whole movie felt like a blend of an epic and an old fashioned action adventure film, like the classic Hollywood films of the 30's and 40's. The story provides a lot of unique twists, and the battle scenes are well handled. I don't think they were aiming for the same lofty heights as House of Flying Daggers, yet this film provides more entertainment than that film. Recommended.