Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Dotbankey A lot of fun.

Candida It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

kluseba "House of Flying Daggers" is a very colourful, emotional and unique wu xia movie. While this film includes many beautifully staged fight scenes with daggers, swords and bare feet and hands, this film focuses much more on character development. While the beginning of the movie seems to focus on an investigation on a conspiracy including military interventions, mysterious rebel groups and underground agents, the second part of the film clearly focuses on a complicated love story with several twists and turns. In the end, this movie should be described as a romantic drama with occasional fighting scenes in a historically inspired but not authentic setting.What really drives this drama is obviously the acting. Zhang Ziyi does an outstanding job as mysterious blind dancer who is suspected to be the daughter of a deceased leader of a rebel group called House of Flying Daggers. This intriguing character has many secrets and it's never exactly certain what this character wants, feels or even is until the very end. This character alone is worth watching this movie. The two male leading characters are also great. On one side, there is police officer Jin who is going through significant changes. In the beginning, he is carefree, rude and wild but he progressively discovers himself over the course of this movie. On the other side, there is his friend, the more experienced officer Leo who is much more serious, clever and careful but who becomes more and more emotional throughout the movie. It's almost as if the two characters were slowly switching their attitudes throughout the movie. The entire story revolves around these three characters from the mysterious start to a dramatic finish.Sadly, the potentially intriguing conflict between Tang Dynasty leaders supported by the military and police and the mysterious rebel group House of Flying Daggers supported by undercover agents is never resolved in this movie. The entire film builds up a lot of tension between the two groups and both sides prepare for a massive fight towards the end of the film but that ultimate conflict is never shown. Even though the drama around the three main characters is really intriguing, it's disappointing that this part of the story isn't told. The movie feels unfinished in my opinion.Aside from the stories and the acting performances, the movie obviously convinces with an authentic soundtrack, charming costumes and colourful settings that are typical for director Zhang Yimou. Especially the use of colours, natural landscapes and seasons is meaningful and philosophical. Still, this movie doesn't have the same depth, elegance and significance as Zhang Yimou's previous masterpiece "Hero". The fighting scenes are always entertaining but clearly not among the best in the wu xia genre.In the end, you will admire this film if you expect a romantic drama with gripping fighting scenes in an intriguing context which is carried by three superb leading actors. If you expect a gripping wu xia film with a clear definition of protagonists and antagonists, stunning fighting scenes and a grand finale, you might be disappointed. This movie is one of the most intense Chinese dramas since the beginning of the new millennium but only an average martial arts film.

utdman4 I saw this movie about ten years ago I was sitting with my daughter and we watched the DVD' and I have to say we were both impressed probably more so with the stunning visual effects. Now I have read some of the reviews and was surprised by some of the negative ones' mostly directed at the actors and their lack of connection' sometimes people just miss the point. This movie was never gonna win anything for acting' its the story and cinematography that drive the movie something that far eastern directors and cinematographers can do better than any other people in the world. If you want an example just watch Titanic' a hundreds of millions of dollars to shot a boat hitting an iceberg while a love triangle unfolds that has nothing to do with the actual story of a piece of history, yet it get Oscars thrown at it. Yet the acting and dialogue, and script were poor, so its just a case of American cinema overrating poor movies and ignoring the real gems.

bowmanblue I read a few criticisms of the House of Flying Daggers that it's all 'style over substance.' Well, it's certainly stylish, but I found there to be a fair amount of substance in essentially a kick-kicky type film.Yes, it's dubbed into English. Some will appreciate that, other puritans may long to see it in its native tongue. Either way, I don't think it will affect too many people's perception of the film. It's about a subversive organisation, known as the 'Flying Daggers' who are working to bring down the corrupt Chinese government of times past. The chief of police gets one of his best men to befriend a female member of the Daggers, in the hope that she'll lead the authorities to the Daggers' leader, in order to destroy them at the highest level.Nothing too new there and I won't give any more away on the story, as there may be a few twists and turns that you don't see coming.It is beautifully shot. Obviously too much for some, who cry style over substance. I don't see how people can't be taken with the scenery and costumes. Plus the fight scenes (of which there are certainly many!) are amazingly choreographed. The film runs for nearly two hours, but I'm pleased to say that it doesn't seem that long.There's enough drama and character development intertwined with the obligatory martial arts then mixed with a love story to give you something pretty interesting.I doubt the House of Flaying Daggers will ever become too mainstream. Ultimately, most of its audience will be those at least with a passing interest in martial arts films, but if you've watched any of them, or simply enjoyed Bruce Lee's work, then give it a go. It's good fun.

gavin6942 A romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.Americans are not known for their love of Asian films, aside from anime and the occasional martial arts film. That barrier was broken with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and a few films (including this one and "Hero") were able to sneak through.I am not sure if this is a great film. Indeed, the use of color is notable, and it really embraced the new digital possibilities that were available. But is it just a visual feast, more style than substance? Hard to say, because the style so overwhelms the substance.