Tweekums
The enjoyment of this film really relies on watching 'Part One' first as it introduces all the characters and explains the set up so my comments here assume the reader has seen part one.This follows on immediately from Part One with the rival forces on opposite banks of the Yangtze. Prime Minister Cao Cao has the superior forces and it looks as though things are getting even worse for the 'Rebels'. After a typhoid outbreak in his camp Cao Cao he puts infected bodies on rafts and lets then drift to the rebel camp where the infection spreads and causes Liu Bei to take his much needed troops away. It isn't all bad for the rebels, Sun Shangxiang has disguised herself as one of Cao Coa's soldiers and infiltrated his camp. Here she sends messages back while also drawing a map of all his fortifications and military formations; she also befriends an enemy soldier. The rebels have small victories when Zhou Yu uses subterfuge to make Cao Cao think his two top admirals are traitors and Zhuge Liang uses a particularly devious method to gain 100,000 arrows off their enemy. Sun returns to the rebels with her map and everything is set for the epic battle all they need is for the weather conditions to change to their advantage.If you enjoyed the first half of the story watching this film is a no-brainer… especially if you bought the DVD which includes both parts! I'd advise not watching too much time between watching each part as very little time is wasted on getting the viewer up to speed on what happened before. The first half of the film effectively sets things up as the two side try to ensure their victory. Each has its ups and down as there are setbacks and minor victories. There is also some humour; much provided by Sun as she poses as an enemy soldier and nobody even suspects that this attractive woman is not a man! When the battle scenes start they are spectacular and barely let up till the end of the film. The action is impressively varied with explosions as fire sweeps through the fleet and more traditional fighting scenes. These scenes are tense and it is by no means certain who will survive. The cast does a great job bringing the characters to life with the help of John Woo's direction. Overall this was a gripping conclusion to the story.These comments are based on watching the film in Mandarin with English subtitle… be warned the subtitles are rather small if you are watching on a relatively small TV unless you are close to the screen!
mallaverack
Have just watched this movie. Must agree that the battle scenes were very well choreographed but way too much fire. So unrealistic really - a flame ignites every target without fail and with such an explosive force. This effect became tiresome and so far fetched. Why do the Chinese set out to recreate such epic stories while still including really stupid characters. Is there a need for comic relief in such sagas? Perhaps the Chinese sense of humor is something else but to my way of thinking many Asian films, particularly Japanese cinema, include mandatory absurd characters as well as ridiculously absurd plot development. Haven't seen Red Cliff I, nor will I bother.
Sean Newgent
After the fantastic first part, the second starts a little underwhelming. This film isn't quite as action packed as the first, instead building to the amazing finale. So there's about an hour and a half of each camp planning attacks and working to defeat the enemy. There are some really good parts here (especially how the rebels procure arrows) but it all pales in comparison to the massive, explosive finale. It's one of the best war scenes ever put to film and absolutely exciting.Overall, this is a masterpiece of film and one of the best war movies of all time. It's well worth your time.
andydreamseeker
Red Cliff, the film by John Woo based on the epic battle of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is divided into two parts. While the first was engaging in its depiction of such historical characters in Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, the second is all about war itself, which can be a little daunting to some. But that is just how war is.You see, war is not about a spontaneous fight between two opposing parties. It has nothing to do with sword wielding 'cling clang' or battle cries and fistfights. The distinction has to be made since war is by far a larger context than a battle, although war itself consists many. In Red Cliff II we will see what is at play when war is raged. It cannot be pretty can it? But it can as this is the romanticized version of history and on screen John Woo made it even prettier.The cast is strong with Tony Leung Chiu-wai as viceroy Zhou Yu, Takeshi Kaneshiro as adviser Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fengyi as Cao Cao, to name just a few. The list is long. A good cast will more often than not up the aesthetical appeal to a movie. For the female audience, Tony Leung charms with his manly portrayal of Zhou Yu, and Takeshi Kaneshiro is always a pleasure to watch as he liven every scene with wit and humor. For the male audience, it is the childlike yet seriousness of Zhao Wei as Sun Shangxiang, and Lin Chi-ling's poise and compassion as Xiao Qiao that allures.But can war really be pretty? If you think that killing each other is a good way to express beauty then perhaps you can be on the same page as the tyranny Cao Cao. In part 1, where the emphasis of battle was on land with a very elaborate tactic devised by Zhuge Liang, here in part 2 we witness the battle at sea, physically and psychologically.Back to the main topic of war, it is crucial that victory must be sorted as numerous lives are heavily at stake, whether or not these lives are valued or not, be they as added numbers or as friends. In war the emphasis is on strategies and tactics to win. And on strategies and tactics, I guess we no doubt have to consult Sun Tzu's The Art of War and also take reference to The 36 Stratagems.I can refer that the epic battle of Red Cliff has two points that stood out when referenced to The Art of War and that is The Attack By Fire and The Use Of Spies.Recorded in the 36 stratagems is the use of the enemy's own spy to sow discord in the enemy's camp by Zhou Yu. This famous move is of correlation to The Art of War where it is stated as having converted spies, getting hold of the enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes. In war all can be done, there can be no holds barred because any weakness can be exploited by the enemy. Zhou Yu can be said to have brilliantly disposed off of Cao Cao's main strategic threat because Cao Cao slain both his most dependable generals who are most versed in sea battles.When 50,000 has to fight 200,000, who could blame Zhou Yu for such tactics, especially when Cao Cao first provoked by sending dead soldiers across to Zhou Yu's side on wooden rafts, knowing that disease spread through this mean can greatly weaken his enemy.The other account decisive of the battle of Red Cliff is the Chain Strategem, although modified by John Woo in its depiction, with the key in Lin Chi-ling's character, Xiao Qiao.It is interesting to sit through 141 minutes witnessing a romanticized version of John Woo's Red Cliff. Personally I didn't feel that it was long, however to some who wanted to see a Lord of the Ring's type battle on screen could be disappointed.Sun Tzu's The Art of War states that the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the war is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but a few calculations before hand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.The point of war however is that in war everybody loses. This should be what John Woo's Red Cliff is trying to tell us. I agree wholeheartedly with water in my eyes.
