THIS visual feast inspired by comic-book writer Ma Wing Shing's 'Fung Wan' series is arguably the most highly anticipated Asian movie of 2009. Although some may see this as a sequel to the acclaimed 'Storm Riders' (of 1998), 'Storm Warriors' boasts a new storyline involving the same heroes with Aaron Kwok and Cheng Ekin reprising their roles as Striding Cloud and Whispering Wind respectively.
However, the big buzz is the helming of the film by the Brothers Pang, the maverick duo who gave the world such hits as 'The Eye' and 'Bangkok Dangerous' (both Asian and Hollywood versions). Danny Pang was also involved with 'The Storm Riders' as its co-editor.
The story arc is from the Death Battle comic book in which the evil Japanese warlord, Lord Godless (Simon Yam), wants to get his hands on the magical Dragon Bones so that he can rule China unimpeded and unchallenged. Godless manages to capture the Emperor (Patrick Tam) and imprison his warriors. Among the prisoners are Cloud (Kwok) and the elder statesman Nameless (Kenny Ho). Later, Wind (Cheng) comes to the rescue and the trio is badly wounded.
Meanwhile, the heroes seek the help of the venerable Lord Wicked (Kenny Wong Tak Bun) who advises Wind to take the 'evil path' and master the martial arts skills he needs to save his nation from Godless and his son, Heart (Nicholas Tse). This 'Evil Wind' saga presents another subplot that is pursued in the second half of the movie.
Just like the CGI-laden 2012, the Pang Brothers make no bones about Storm Warriors being anything but an expansive and expensive computer-effects film. Towards this end, the effects and stunts, backed by choral voices and thundering drumbeats, are fantastic and sometimes even breath-taking. The film-makers seem so proud of the fantasy-action pieces that they keep on repeating them, showing them in slow-motion and from different angles and close-ups. This drags the fighting sequences on a bit, making them lose whatever sense of urgency or danger they may have generated.
However, the usual weaknesses of the Brothers Pang remain unresolved. The characters lack emotional depth, the story is rather confusing, and the lines can be lame at times. Wind looks as if he is being absorbed by the same black evil web that consumed Spider-Man - but with lesser emotional effect.
Attempts at comedy flop, too especially when Lam Suet's Piggy King turns out to be underwritten. Still, the female supports, Charlene Choi (as Wind's love interest, Second Dream) and Tang Yan (as Cloud's aide's aide Chu Chu) are welcome eye-candy to offset the male-macho emphasis of the plot. All in all, a good attempt but not great. - LIM CHANG MOH (limchangmoh.blogspot.com)
However, the big buzz is the helming of the film by the Brothers Pang, the maverick duo who gave the world such hits as 'The Eye' and 'Bangkok Dangerous' (both Asian and Hollywood versions). Danny Pang was also involved with 'The Storm Riders' as its co-editor.
The story arc is from the Death Battle comic book in which the evil Japanese warlord, Lord Godless (Simon Yam), wants to get his hands on the magical Dragon Bones so that he can rule China unimpeded and unchallenged. Godless manages to capture the Emperor (Patrick Tam) and imprison his warriors. Among the prisoners are Cloud (Kwok) and the elder statesman Nameless (Kenny Ho). Later, Wind (Cheng) comes to the rescue and the trio is badly wounded.
Meanwhile, the heroes seek the help of the venerable Lord Wicked (Kenny Wong Tak Bun) who advises Wind to take the 'evil path' and master the martial arts skills he needs to save his nation from Godless and his son, Heart (Nicholas Tse). This 'Evil Wind' saga presents another subplot that is pursued in the second half of the movie.
Just like the CGI-laden 2012, the Pang Brothers make no bones about Storm Warriors being anything but an expansive and expensive computer-effects film. Towards this end, the effects and stunts, backed by choral voices and thundering drumbeats, are fantastic and sometimes even breath-taking. The film-makers seem so proud of the fantasy-action pieces that they keep on repeating them, showing them in slow-motion and from different angles and close-ups. This drags the fighting sequences on a bit, making them lose whatever sense of urgency or danger they may have generated.
However, the usual weaknesses of the Brothers Pang remain unresolved. The characters lack emotional depth, the story is rather confusing, and the lines can be lame at times. Wind looks as if he is being absorbed by the same black evil web that consumed Spider-Man - but with lesser emotional effect.
Attempts at comedy flop, too especially when Lam Suet's Piggy King turns out to be underwritten. Still, the female supports, Charlene Choi (as Wind's love interest, Second Dream) and Tang Yan (as Cloud's aide's aide Chu Chu) are welcome eye-candy to offset the male-macho emphasis of the plot. All in all, a good attempt but not great. - LIM CHANG MOH (limchangmoh.blogspot.com)