Tomb Raider (古墓奇兵) is an 2018 film. The movie stars Alicia Vikander as Lora Croft, the main character of the film and also based on the video game of the same name. The supporting cast include Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas.
Lora Croft is an action junky as a bike messenger. We find out that she's running away from her past. The past as a daughter of a rich company owner that perishes on a trip. When an inheritance is on the line, she finds out what could have made her father die. On a trip of finding out, she lands in Hong Kong looking for passage to an island with the answers. When she gets there, a secret organization is out to get them. Can she find out and survive?
I never played the video game from back in the day. I also didn't watch the Angelia Jolie ones either. Which makes this a first for me to the Lora Croft universe. I liked it, she kick some @$$. Daniel Wu's role was relatively minor to the major story, but he did provide some comedic moments.
A cross between Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Tarantino’s Kill Bill, scheming royals and other officials attempt to consolidate power in a empire in chaos. Packed with deadly plots, sweeping camerawork, and elaborate fight choreography. (Amazon.com)
I watched this movie around 2007 or so. I really can't remember this movie well. I was only reminded of this film recently after seeing it re-titled as "Legend Of The Black Scorpion" for the USA market. When the film was released, Feng Xiaogang was just starting to make a name for himself. This film was a springboard to his next film and commercial hit, The Assembly (集結號). The four main stars were already established, while Huang Xiaoming's supporting role was short.
I remember the film being a bit of let down in terms of the story, as it was quite too complicated and over the top. The action however was quite awesome and balletic. If you're a wuxia fan and can get over the story, the action scenes are pretty spectacular.
The Last Supper (王的盛宴) is an 2012 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Liu Ye, Chang Chen, and Daniel Wu. The supporting cast include Qin Lan and Huo Siyan. The movie is based on Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty in Zhong Guo. The story takes place from when Liu is 48 years old to his death at 61 years old.
Liu Ye plays Liu Bang as the movie opens when he is 61 years old. Haunted by memories of two of his greatest enemies, Lord Xiang Yu and General Han Xin. The movie goes into episodic flashbacks of his struggle from common man to emperor. Liu seeks the help of Lord Yu to reclaim his wife and family. The set out to overthrow the Qin government, the fall of Qin, and the fall of Lord Yu. Along the way, Liu's army is partially lead by General Han Xin. But Liu's paranoia prevents him from trusting those close to him and those that helped him establish hit empire. The movie closes out with with the death of both General Han Xin and Emperor Liu Bang.
This was an artsy fartsy movie at its core. Told in episodic flashbacks and full of deep thoughts, it tells a story of commoner to emperor to paranoia. How much of this is based on history is beyond me. I only know a little of the Qin and Han dynasty from wuxia series and films, like The Myth. And an wiki article here and there. Nothing to make me understand that era.
I do recommend it because the acting is pretty awesome. Liu Ye, Chang Chen, Daniel Wu, and Qin Lan age with the screen and it's very believable. Some of the best acting in a ancient Zhong Guo film in recent memory. The language wasn't super formal and very modern so I didn't have to turn on the subtitles.
The Man With The Iron Fists (鐵拳) is an 2012 film. The movies stars RZA. With a rather large ensemble cast that include Rick Yune, Jamie Chung, Russel Crow, Lucy Liu, David Bautista, Cung Le, and Byron Mann. With special cameos from Pam Grier, MC Jin, Daniel Wu, Grace Huang, Gordon Liu, Chen Kuan-tai, Bryan Leung, Zhu Zhu, and Terence Yin. Film primarily in Zhong Guo, you'll see a lot of actors based in HK show up in the film with "english speaking" roots.
RZA plays an iron smith that makes weapons for the different clans of Jungle Village. He is trying to save enough to buy the release of his brothel girlfriend, played by Jamie Chung. However, just as he was about to leave, a lot of gold comes through town. Bringing with it outsiders and the locals seeking to steal it. Lots and lots of fighting happens and the man with the iron fists must bring order to the town.
This movie was fun to watch. From both an "Asian American" POV and also from the POV of someone whom watches a lot of stuff from Zhong Guo, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It had me thinking the whole film. I was looking at all the familiar faces. Wondering whom in the cast grew up or spent time schooling in the USA, Canada, or Australia. Did they come from Singapore? The set pieces also got me thinking a lot. Would this set appear in an wuxia series or movie produced by locals? Lots and lots of thoughts. This is one of the few movies that had me pausing and rewinding alot.
The movie itself as a whole was good. Entertaining. I'd prolly have repeat watches of this if it shows up on cable. I however would not rent or buy this film (I rented this time). Also, all those questions I had were hard to overlook. Which might have caused me to not enjoy the film as much. I don't know if I could have avoided this due to the casting and my personal background.
The movie ends on a cliff hanger for a sequel. With its box office performance dismal, I highly doubt we'll see one. It was a fun ride for RZA, but we'll prolly see him making an "american" film next time around.
Overheard (竊聽風雲) is a 2009 film out of Hong Kong. The film stars Sean Lau, Louis Koo, and Daniel Wu. Supporting cast members include Alex Fong, Zhang Jingchu, Michael Wong, and Dominic Lam.
The movie is about a sting operation lead by Dominic Lam and Alex Fong. Sean Lau, Louis Koo, and Daniel Wu are the main operatives in the sting. Sean is in a relationship with Zhang Jingchu, who is in the process of getting a divorce from Alex Fong. Louis Koo is a father of 4 and his son needs special medical assistance.
The sting is to breakup a boiler room type trading firm. Louis Koo and Daniel Wu overhear a stock that will rise. And they get in on the action. Because of this, it leads to major problems down the line.
An intense triller and totally unpredictable. All three actors give an intense performance. One of the better HK films out in 2009.
This was a classic HK film. Dives into the heart of greed and the consequences. And if you know what classic HK means, you can guess how it ends.
Protégé (門徒) is a 2007 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Daniel Wu and Andy Lau. Supporting cast include Louis Koo, Zhang Jingchu, Anita Yuen, and Hu Mei-Tian.
The movie is about the drug empire run by Andy Lau. Andy Lau plays Quin whos had a long and successful run as the king of drugs in Hong Kong. The police have been trying to bust him for years. Quin is getting up in years and wants to find a successor. Quin takes Nick, played by Daniel Wu, as a protégé. Quin likes Nick so much that he even sets him up with his oldest daughter. And Quin's last step in the process is taking Nick to Thailand to speak directly with his source to do the "hand off". Little does Quin know, Nick is actually a undercover cop. Nick has finally got enough evidence to crack the case. Little by little, Quin's empire starts to crumble. And they find out its Nick in court.
A side story to this is Nick's relationship with Fan, played by the extremely lovely and talented Zhang Jingchu. Fan's husband is played by Louis Koo. Fan has run away from him to start living clean, because of her elementary age child. Nick befriends the child and eventually Fan. Little by little, Nick falls for Fan, but tragedy strikes when the husband finds her again.
I mention that I loved this film back in the day. The film did well at the 27th Hong Kong movie awards as well. It was well deserved recognition for a very well made film.
I watched a China version from back in the day. I need to make time and rent the Dragon Dynasty one.
Drink Drank Drunk (千杯不醉) is a 2005 movie out of Hong Kong starring Daniel Wu and Miriam Yeung. Miriam Yeung plays a frugal beer girl that hasn't gotten drunk before. Daniel Wu plays a world travel trained in classical French food. When they meet and fall in love. They must reconcile each others dreams and the reality of settling down.
I thought it was a touching film, but ultimately was a let down because I didn't fully believe the romance. The romance kind of just happened. There didn't seem like there was any chemistry between the two.
Also, the cover is whacked. Miriam's clothes never get that revealing. Also, I think its just Miriam's head photoshopped onto the cover body. Really bad cover. Selling something that never really happens.
Jackie Chan is back making movies in HK again. This time, in a movie called "The Shinjuku Incident" helmed by Derek Yee. The movie is based on a familiar subject in HK films, the triads. But this time, its in Japan, so its called the Yakuza. The movie is set for release on April 3, 2009.
The movie also stars Daniel Wu, Xu Jinglei, Fan Bing Bing, Ken Watanabe, Yasuaki Kurata and Naoto Takenaka.
From the trailer, it looks like regular triad/yakuza fair. A gritty film for Jackie and familiar territory for Daniel Wu.
