This is one of the most visually impressive martial arts movies I have seen in a while. The outside shots and camera work is stunning and I barely detected any CGI. Overall a very old school feel with a high budget and current standards of filmmaking.
On the other hand, I realize that most Chinese martial arts films are fairly nationalistic and sexist (it comes with the genre) but this one kind of dials it up to an extreme. Like all foreigners are basically untrustworthy devils, all women are in constant danger of being raped by madmen if they stray on their own, etc. It's almost to the point of parody here and for example the girl who is supposed to be an innocent village girl is treated like a Lolita figure, the young man who is the protagonist and "decent common man" has incestuous feelings, etc.
Very strange film as a result..
On the other hand, I realize that most Chinese martial arts films are fairly nationalistic and sexist (it comes with the genre) but this one kind of dials it up to an extreme. Like all foreigners are basically untrustworthy devils, all women are in constant danger of being raped by madmen if they stray on their own, etc. It's almost to the point of parody here and for example the girl who is supposed to be an innocent village girl is treated like a Lolita figure, the young man who is the protagonist and "decent common man" has incestuous feelings, etc.
Very strange film as a result..
