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BLOOD OATH AND POLITICS

Today's film was

Tau ming chong /The Warlords (2007)

I watched this because is stars Takeshi Kaneshiro with Andy Lau and an older Jet Li.

Three allies swear a blood oath to stay together and to conquer the regime.

This is based on a 19th Century event but builds the three guys' story into the history so, at the cumination of the story, we are also at the end of the oath brothers.

I watched this for the star but stayed for the story and production which is excellent.

This is a NYTimes Critics Pick.

The big scenes are here but it is the intimate details of the men's relationship that keeps us glued to the story. Very well done.

Jet Li is especially good. He has matured. Gotten to be a middle aged man. It plays well. He brings his maturity into the mix very effectively.

I really like these Chinese films. They have an abundance of extras and are able to afford great sets and sweeping countryside.

This is not, incidentally, a martial arts film like yesterday's film. This is straight history with some heroics but there is no flying or dancing. Nothing over the top at all. It could be a serious western or historical drama taken from our own culture.

I would not mind seeing this again. I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.

I have set up a week or more long retrospective of Kaneshiro films. Some modern, some not. It will come out of the queue in about 30 weeks. I can't get enough. Matinee idol.

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