The Assassins (銅雀台) is an 2012 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Chow Yun-fat and Crystal Liu. The supporting cast include Alec Su and Annie Yi. The movie is based on Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms era.
Chow plays Cao Cao, a successful warlord of the Han Dynasty. Liu plays a mistress to Cao Cao. But Liu is trained at an early age by men of mysterious origin to assassinate Cao Cao. During her time with Cao Cao, she questions his ambition and its affect on the people. Conflicted, she doesn't really try to kill him. However, others in the imperial court have other plans. Cao Cao seems to have to defend himself from constant assassinations. The struggle of power between Cao Cao and the imperial court, including the Emperor of the time goes back and forth.
This movie was a hard watch. The lingo is basically Zhong Guo Shakespeare. The language is a mix of modern, but mostly in old style. Very hard to understand and follow. Especially when the volume is down. The story of Cao Cao and a girl has been told numerous times. This time around, the breed from small to assassinate concept is unique to Cao Cao (not to movies). Liu is starting to look like an adult now. Playing a sultry mistress wasn't a stretch. Funny how 2 to 3 years makes.
I am a borderline recommend on this. I believe the acting to be awesome. From Chow to Alec to Annie Yi, the acting was a well balance attack that didn't stray into the cheezy. The story was not as cohesive as I would have like.
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