Colibel
Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.
Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Erica Derrick
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Andy (film-critic)
"Peking Opera Blues" gets a mediocre score mainly due to a heightened excitement at the end, but lacking a strong introduction. There was something exciting about this film within the final thirty minutes, but this film had to be watched during the day. Evening viewings made me sleepy, thus forcing to re-watch the beginning four to five times. This was a challenging film, with intense action and sexual innuendo, it was groundbreaking for the late 80s, but it just didn't have a voice. I don't think I could watch this film again. It was exciting, just not excitable. Remember - there was a cross-dressing woman randomly placed, jackets can block a barrage of bullets, and jewels do not a plot make.
jjamesedw3
When I first heard of this movie, I thought that it was going to be one of those boring movies. But, as I saw it, it was so cool! The script was great and the action was incredible! What I suggest is that you rent it but I dare you to just see this movie once. And once you see it, buy it! It will be the best cinema that you have ever seen. So, buy it. You have no time to waste! Just go to Netflix.com and buy this movie. Because if you do, you will be amazed to see this wonderful movie again and again. Plus if you buy it, buy the DVD version. Since it has trailers of the movies that Tsui Hark was responsible for. And special features too. THIS MOVIE ROCKS!
devilside
absolutely perfect film-making in a way that storytelling here is of foremost interest and not just great shots and cinematography like overrated Wong Kar Wai and Zhang Yimou used to do. This film beautifully depicting characteristic traits of China like its values, culture and principles and cleverly Tsui Hark let this clashed with politics, authority and government - which the last lyrical image of the laughing Peking Opera actor beautifully addressing to that political institutions are very transient but not Chinese valuable roots and traditions.Sure, it's not evidently among Tsui Hark's bigger masterpieces like "Seven Swords" or "Once Upon A Time In China", but yet i think this surely should be compared to those greatest classics in the world but it's very difficult when a lot of people can't respect and understand Chinese traditions, so what we now have here is a tremendously underrated masterpiece that should be studied in the years to come, because is very inspirational how to tell a story in a visual way. Peking Opera Blues is the perfect paradigm.I'll never forget this truly great film.
nataraj
In contrast to films like "iron monkey" or "tai chi boxer" there is almost no kung fu in this movie. The story is less than gripping and I am not even sure the comedy is intended at all times. The characters' motives, their background: virtually non-existent, though it is very easy to tell the goodies from the baddies: Baddies die, goodies don't.Still this isn't too bad a way to spend an hour and half in the same way an old Fred Astaire dance film can be the right stuff to watch on Sundays - not remotely comparable to current films, not even thrilling, anything but real. Just sort of ...Nice.
