AMP Movie Rating

It seems these days we just can’t get enough of Donnie Yen.
It seems like it was only yesterday that the epic Ip Man was released which was soon followed up by the acclaimed Bodyguards and Assassins (in which Donnie Yen played a supporting role).

Directed by Daniel Lee and set during the late Ming Dynasty, 14 Blades is the story of the Brocade Guards(Jinyiwei); A squad of street orphans highly trained as skilled government officers who are in charge of defending the homeland and generally bring terror to the people.
Their leader Qinglong (Donnie Yen) is the most skilled of the Brocade and also as the honour of carrying the famed 14 Blades.

8 blades used for Interrogation and 6 blades used for execution.

If the story remotely sounds familiar then you may not be surprised to learn that 14 Blades is in fact a very loose remake of the excellent Shaw Brothers film The Secret Service of the Imperial Court AKA Police Pool of Blood.

14 Blades in fact sees Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung together again (although sadly never on screen at the same time..), Here Sammo Hung plays the exiled Prince Qing who together with chief eunuch Jia Jing Zhong sets out  to use the Jinyiwei to rebel against the emperor and seize power.

Jia fools Qinglong into hunting down the Imperial Councilor and taking the ‘safebox’ which Jia explains contains a list of traitors to the emperor.
Qinglong though soon learns that the safebox in fact contains the Imperial Seal but very soon  he’s being tracked by his fellow Brocade and becomes a fugitive on the run.

It is whilst on the run that Qinglong soon meets up with the Justice Escorts and Qiao Hua (Wei Zhao).
Qinglong is injured and taken in by the Justice Escorts who have no idea who he really is.
Qinglong still dedicated to the emperor sets out on personal vendetta to return the Imperial Seal and avenge the death of his fellow guards.

14 Blades is an incredibly frustrating film.

There are many elements of this film which should have turned this into a classic and a early contender for movie of the year but sadly the film is badly let down by an extraordinary poor script and a pretty useless cameo from Sammo Hung who does not even throw a punch! (although he does play a character with no legs! - Dont ASK!)

Strangly this film was also nominated for best action choreography at the recent Hong Kong Film Awards yet the action here is badly edited with poor camera angles and the over use of slow mo effects.
The action scenes are in no way bad, but at the same time are not award worthy of a nomination (although you could argue we did have a pretty bad year for action films).
The main nucleus of the story is the developing relationship between Qinglong and Qiao Hua.

Whilst the romantic connection between the two is never truly believable, the trust between them and his protection of her is and generally this does work and helps carry the film somewhat.
Another problem though with the film is the sense of time and the actions and motifs of some of the Bracade for turning on Qinglong – none of which is truly believable in the slightest.

Whilst there is much to question there are still many bright moments during the film and even some of the set pieces and costumes themselves are well put together.

The actual Blades are fantastic and when in use is really a delight to watch.

Prince Qing’s daughter Tuo Tuo although badly cast makes use of some of the films better CGI moments, as well as Donnie Yens fight in the forest (O and yes we do get the now legendary slow mo Donnie Yen double kick)

14 Blades also suffers from a very poor middle act. This is generally the part of the film in which the story is explored in more detail but again due to the poor script there is very little for the audience to really care about and instead of following the story we are simply left waiting for the next action sequence.
Luckily the middle act is saved by the introduction of the ‘Heaven Eagles Gang‘, after which follows a nice fight sequence (again poor editing) between Qinglong and the Eagles leader The Judge of Sand, before later the Gang agree to join Qinglong on his quest.

I guess 14 Blades will satisfy Donnie Yen fans who may have been disappointed with his lack of screen time in Bodyguards and Assassins. This film , unlike Bodyguards is really all about Donnie Yen.
If you come into this film to watch Donnie  kick some ass then I think you will leave pretty satisfied. Sadly though, those who have watched the original Shaw Brothers movie will be greatly disappointed. Police Pool of Blood is great source material and the fact that Daniel Lee neglected the story is really a huge disappointment.

Sound editing and of course Wei Zhao are some of the few highlights in an otherwise disappointing film which whilst not the worst Donnie Yen film does not come anywhere near the heights of some of his recent outputs.

Director: Daniel Lee

Synopsis: During the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor of China possessed one weapon greater than all others, the Jin Yi Wei, an elite force of assassins recruited from street orphans.

Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Jin Yi Wei were masters of the 14 Blades, eight being for torture, five for killing, and the last blade being reserved for suicide when a mission failed. Above the law, with a license to kill, the Jin Yi Wei devoted their lives and lethal prowess to the service of the Emperor alone.

When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch Jia (Law Kar Ying), the best of the Jin Yi Wei, Qing Long (Donnie Yen) and Xuan Wu (Qi Yu Wu), are assigned to steal a list identifying those still loyal to the Emperor. However unbeknownst to Qing Long, the Jin Yi Wei have fallen under the control of Jia, and during the mission Qing Long is betrayed by Xuan Wu and barely escapes with his life.

Now as the most wanted man in the land Qing Long must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power. Will Qing Long win the battle in the end?

Genre: Drama/ Action/ Thriller

Cast: Donnie Yen, Vicki Zhao Wei, Wu Chun, Kate Tsui, Qi Yu Wu, Chen Kuan Tai, Fung Hak On, Hui Chen Zhi, Sammo Hung, Damian Lau, Law Kar Ying, Wu Ma, Xu Xiang Dong

Date Released: February 4, 2010

Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

The new year is well underway, and Hong Kong is boasting a great turnout in box office receipts. The box office results reflect diversity in genre as well as origin of production, with 5 Chinese films and 5 American films rounding up the top ten. This week 72 TENANTS OF PROSPERITY won the top spot again, beating out American productions like Avatar (#2) and Percy Jackson(#3). Martial arts film TRUE LEGEND settled comfortably at the number 5 spot and romantic comedy HOT SUMMER DAYS gained momentum and moved up to number nine. Highly anticipated American productions like Valentine‘s Day, The Wolfman, and The Princess and The Frog) also made appearances on the top 10.

Another addition to the top 10 was Daniel Lee’s new kung fu period epic 14 BLADES. The martial acts action thriller is a remake of 1984’s POLICE POOL OF BLOOD and stars Donnie Yen, Zhao Wei, and Wu Chun. The film takes place during the Ming dynasty and focuses on Yen as Qinglong, a chief in the Jinyi Wei, or emperor’s secret service. After finding out he has been an unwitting participant in the eunuchs’ faction power play against the emperor, he is betrayed and hunted by his own comrades as they are under the control of the head eunuch Jin and exiled noble Prince Qinq. In accordance to his duty to the emperor, Qinglong sets out to prove his innocence and uncover the rebellion being planned against the emperor. The film has been described as full of visually effective battles, and even boasts a stronger than usual romantic storyline for a wuxia film. Many had the film marked for a Top 5 showing, but the competition proved to be  too fierce especially with the re-imagings of two popular movie franchises thrown in the mix.

source: AsianMediaWiki and Box Office Mojo

Here is the lastest list for the upcoming 29th Hong Kong Film Awards with some good movies and actors put forward, including movies such as Shinjuku Incident, Bodyguards and Assassins and Red Cliff part 2 and also Simon Yam up for 2 awards for best actor (Night and Fog, Echoes of the Rainbow).

The rules for the show are as follows:
# The film must be first released in Hong Kong during the period January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.
# The film are publicly exhibited for paid admission for at least five shows within a week.
# With a duration of not less than 60 minutes.
# The film must be released by means of 35mm film or Digital Cinema format

Best Actor:
Wang Xue Qi – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
Simon Yam – ‘Night and Fog’
Simon Yam – ‘Echoes of the Rainbow’
Lau Ching Wan – ‘Overheard’
Aaron Kwok – ‘Murderer’

Best Actress:
Kara Hui – ‘At the End of Daybreak’
Zhang Jinchu – ‘Night and Fog’
Vicki Zhao – ‘Mulan’
Shu Qi – ‘Look for a Star’
Sandra Ng – ‘Echoes of the Rainbow’

Best Film:
‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
‘Red Cliff: Part II’
‘KJ: Music and Life’
‘Overheard’
‘Shinjuku Incident’

Best Director:
Alan Mak & Felix Chong – ‘Overheard’
Ann Hui – ‘Night and Fog’
Derek Yee – ‘Shinjuku Incident’
John Woo – ‘Red Cliff: Part II’
Teddy Chan – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’

Best Supporting Actor:
Stanley Fung – ‘Accident’
Chang Chen – ‘Red Cliff: Part II’
Tony Leung Kar Fei – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
Nicolas Tse – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
Alex Fong (the older one) – ‘Overheard’

Best Supporting Actress:
Vicki Zhao – ‘Red Cliff: Part II’
Fan Bing Bing – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
Michelle Yip – ‘Accident’
Dennis Ho – ‘Look for a Star’
Li Yuchun – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’

Best New Performer:
Li Yuchun – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
Wang Po Chieh – ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’
Aarif Lee – ‘Echoes of the Rainbow’
Buzz Shiuto – ‘Echoes of the Rainbow’
Zhu Xuan – ‘Prince of Tears’

Best Cinematography:
Arthur Wong – ‘Bodyguards And Assassins’
Anthony Pun – ‘Empire of Silver’
Lu Yue & Zhang Li – ‘Red Cliff: Part II’
Chin Tingchang – ‘Prince of Tears’
Nobuyasu Kita – ‘Shinjuku Incident’

Best Action Choreography:
Stephen Tung & Lee Tat Chiu – ‘Bodyguards And Assassins’
Corey Yuen Kwai – ‘Red Cliff: Part II’
Ma Yu Sing – ‘The Storm Warriors’
Chin Ka Lok – ‘Shinjuku Incident’
Ku Huen Chiu – ’14 Blades’

Best Asian Film:
‘City Of Life And Death’
‘The Founding Of A Republic’
‘The Message’
‘Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea’
‘Departures’

Best Original Film Score:
Chan Kwong Wing & Peter Kam Pui Tat – ‘Bodyguards And Assassins’
Taro Iwashiro – ‘Red Cliff’
Yu Yat Yiu – ‘Prince Of Tears’
Lo Tayu – ‘Vengeance’
Keiichi Tomita – ‘Dance, Subaru!’

Best Visual Effects:
Ng Yuen Fai, Chas Chau, Joe Tam & Yung Kwok Yin – ‘Bodyguards And Assassins’
Teddy Mak, Ken Law & Mary Ng Sze Sze – ‘Written By’
Craig Hayes ‘Red Cliff: Part II’
Ng Yuen Fai, Chas Chau & Tam Kai Kwan – ‘The Storm Warriors’
Cecil Cheng & Don Ma – ‘Kungfu Cyborg : Metallic Attraction’

Best New Director:
Philip Yung – ‘Glamorous Youth’
Cheung King Wai – ‘KJ: Music and Life’
Roy Chow – ‘Murderer’

http://www.hkfaa.com/nominee/regulation_e.html

Take a look at nine different 14 Blades movie posters. The most beautiful I think is the one highlighting the sword beside a wooden post with clouds surrounding and thunders above it, which do you think?  The movie’s trailer is also now available, you might want to take a look at our AMP trailers.

We have featured this film on AMP last August 2009 but let me refresh you on the background of the film.  It is an epic story on how a group of elite assassins were recruited as street orphans, trained and developed since childhood to become the masters of the swords and become known as “Imperial Guards” whose task is to devote their lives and lethal prowess in the service of the Emperor.

“14 Blades” refer to the swords of which 8 is for torture, 5 is for killing and the last one reserved for suicide should a mission fail.  Donnie Yen plays as the Green Dragon, the best among the Imperial Guards, who is assigned to steal a list of names to identify those still loyal to the Emperor. Not knowing that his fellow Imperial Guards bowed to the commands of Jia, a power-hungry eunuch who wants to take control of the Empire’s government from the weakened Emperor, he was betrayed and hardly escaped alive. He remained loyal to the Emperor and become a fugitive who needs to fight with his former comrades, the deadliest assassins in the land, in order to protect the empire.

The film is centered on the weapon itself and their uses, love triangle and romance were just on the side since the story speaks more about chivalry, loyalty and brotherhood. The film will also highlight an astounding mix of martial arts, impressive espionage and royal scenes.

Yen has Vicki Zhao as his co-lead and the rest of the supporting casts – Sammo Hung, Damian Lau, Wu Chun, Chen Zhi Hui, Yuwu Qi, Kuan Tai Chen, Kar-Ying Law, Ma Wu, Kate Tsui and Xiang Dong Xu. They all worked with Hongkong director Daniel Lee for this film.

“14 Blades” with a Chinese title “Gam Yee Wai” will be shown in Singapore on January 28, 2010 and in Hongkong by February 2010.

Source:  kungfucinema.com, beyondhollywood.com, movieposterdb.com

Donnie Yen will star as Green Dragon on this upcoming film about a Ming Dynasty era imperial guard. The best specially trained warriors who take orders directly from the Emperor.

It is said that during the Ming Dynasty, China possessed the weapon greater than all others, the Jinyiwei, an elite force of assassins. The Jinyiwei had been trained in combat since childhood and they were masters in 14 Blades, 8 blades for torture, 5 for killing and one blade for suicide in case the mission failed.

When an evil Eunuch takes over the imperial court, two of the best warriors were assigned to steal the list of the warriors still loyal to the emperor. But he was betrayed as the Jinyiwei have also been taken over by the evil Eunuch. He becomes a public enemy battling his former comrades and rallying for support from those who are still loyal to the emperor.

This film is expected to have heavy doses of extreme styled fight scenes as choreographed by action director Ku Huan-chiu who has worked closely with wire-fu master Yuen Woo-ping for the past 20 years. Other veteran actors said to have an appearance in the film includes Chen Kuan-tai (THE FLYING GUILLOTINE), Wu Ma (THE DEAD AD THE DEADLY), Sammo Hung (MARTIAL LAW), Xu Xiang-dong (WING CHUN), Chen Zhi-hua (IP MAN), and Damian Lau (DUEL TO THE DEATH).