RED CLIFF

RED CLIFF: Like many other talented foreign directors, the Hollywood system sucked John Woo dry. Sure, it gave him more money for actors and ammunition. But even his best work in the States (Face / Off) couldn’t hold a candle to Hong Kong classics like Hard Boiled and The Killer. So what a relief to see him back on home turf with Red Cliff, an epic retelling of the 220 AD Chinese battle between the overwhelming might of the Emperor’s army and the rebellious forces of two remaining warlords. Think Troy meets Crouching Tiger. The original film was released in two parts in Asia, but the US market only gets the condensed version, shorter by two hours and a bit confusing at the start. Even with the missing pieces, though, Red Cliff is an impressive piece of work from a guy who could have just as easily continued padding his Hollywood resume. In fact, it’s unlike any of Woo’s previous films (maybe a pinch of Windtalkers, but who saw that?) with elaborately staged military sequences blended perfectly with wush-shu wirework and martial arts. This cut is almost all action, lifting a bit of inspiration from other successful Chinese exports like Yimou Zhang’s Hero but shot with Woo’s particular kinetic style. Woo invented the whole “two-guns-jumping-through-the-air” craze. But it’s nice to see he’s not content to rest on his laurels. Magnolia’s DVD runs 148 minutes and comes with a Making Of, interview, storyboards and HDNet special.