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Batzorig
Reviews
Mongol (2007)
Disappointment
I have always believed that following the original story of Genghis Khan would be the best idea to make a movie about him. Bodrov has come up very eccentric ideas and fantasies about Genghis Khan, but it was a total disappointment for me. If you have read the Secret History of the Mongols, you would easily get my point. That book is the most relevant historical writing about his life, excluding some mythical elements. The stories around Genghis Khan are amazing as his whole life was a struggle from a poor boy to one of the greatest and probably the most successful conquerors in world history. Then, Bodrov comes up with some totally strange ideas like Genghis Khan in Tangud prison or Jamukha selling him as a slave.
Historically, it is a complete mess. I assume the last battle is the one when Jamukha in aliance with Naiman's Buyurug Khan, Oirats, Merkits and Taichuts (after declaring himself as Gur Khan) fought against Genghis Khan and Tooril Khan at Khuiten. There is a story that Buyurag Khan could cause some bad weather, but it the storm actually came on them and they retreated as feared that the Heaven's will was against them. Bodrov probably used this story. It was not a decisive battle between Genghis and Jamukha, as they fought against each other a couple times more (Battle at Muu Undur and battle at Nahu Gun).
Recommended for those who are not interested in history.
Aoki Ôkami: chi hate umi tsukiru made (2007)
Disappointed
First of all the movie is historically very inaccurate. The director "kills" Zuchi some 20 years earlier than he was supposed to die, "makes" Jamukha to kill Tooril, who was actually killed by Naimans, and so on. I know to put the story of Genghis Khan into a single movie is very difficult. The movie seems to be mostly talking about whether Temujin is Esukhei's son and whether Zuchi is Temujin's son. This topic might be interesting for many, but Temujin is a very strong historical figure and it is hard to believe that he was depressed too much over this dispute. HEWell, my point is this movie is not for learning history at all. Somehow for mongolianss the behaviors of main characters seem quite comical. People couldn't help but burst to laughter when Temujin makes quick movements to hold his woman.
Shi mian mai fu (2004)
Better than Crouching Tiger
In my opinion House of Flying Daggers is the better one compared to CT&HD and Hero. Hero was interesting mostly visually. The story is not very compelling there. Not so much love and not so much story at all. It is just the fight scenes were fun to watch. In case of Crouching Tiger, the story might be interesting for many, but for it didn't tell anything. What the girl was doing and why didn't make much sense to me. Her role reminded me just a young and confused girl. Things get much better in Hous of Flying Daggers, it is visually beautiful to watch, fights are good, story goes on and on keeping you interested in the movie all the time. Main characters raise various feelings, hatred and compassion. Both male characters perfectly display men's weaknesses for women, romantic love and jealousy. I gave 9 of 10 to this movie
Contact (1997)
Wonderful movie...
This movie is just breathtaking... "Contact" is a great sci-fi movie which is extremely underrated by the majority of public. People are still more into more action flooding unintelligent movies (such as "Independence Day", "Armageddon", etc.) than truly wonderful movies like "Contact". My all-time favorite actress Jodie Foster was amazing again here. I'm desperately looking for masterpieces like "Contact" in future.
Mulan (1998)
a few words...
That chinese army was less numbered than enemy was really doubtful and historically incorrect. Dragon's last comment to falcon was very offensive and disrespectful to nomads in the central Asia. Overall a nice film for kids, altough the story is historically doubtful. Was the story of Mulan one of chinese propagandas against nomads in the north?