Having seen the original masterpiece that this is a remake of (King Hu's Dragon Inn, possibly Hong Kong's biggest hit of 1967) I was bound to be disappointed. It doesn't match the original's cinematography or epic feel, but if you are interested in early 90s wuxia pian, this is worth a look.
It has an all star cast: Brigitte Lin (been a fan since Swordsman 2), Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung and Donnie Yen - some of THE biggest names in 90s era Hong Kong. Brigitte and Tony play unrequited lovers and rebels who are trying to protect the children from their father's killer, the evil eunuch (played by Donnie Yen) who runs the East Chamber, sort of the KGB of the era and the real power behind the throne. They are hiding at the Dragon Inn, which is located out in the desert, on the border with Mongolia. Maggie Cheung plays the disreputable innkeeper who appears to be playing both sides for maximum profit, but, to add complications, she falls in love with Tony Leung's character.
Some other reviewers have described this film as being more "serious" than most kung fu flicks from the early 90s, but there is still a few silly and bizarre elements, especially concerning the lusty innkeeper and her Mongolian butcher boy (hint: there is not a lot of livestock in the desert). However, the way in which the butcher boy comes in handy in the final fight against the evil eunuch should bring out some surprised guffaws.
It has an all star cast: Brigitte Lin (been a fan since Swordsman 2), Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung and Donnie Yen - some of THE biggest names in 90s era Hong Kong. Brigitte and Tony play unrequited lovers and rebels who are trying to protect the children from their father's killer, the evil eunuch (played by Donnie Yen) who runs the East Chamber, sort of the KGB of the era and the real power behind the throne. They are hiding at the Dragon Inn, which is located out in the desert, on the border with Mongolia. Maggie Cheung plays the disreputable innkeeper who appears to be playing both sides for maximum profit, but, to add complications, she falls in love with Tony Leung's character.
Some other reviewers have described this film as being more "serious" than most kung fu flicks from the early 90s, but there is still a few silly and bizarre elements, especially concerning the lusty innkeeper and her Mongolian butcher boy (hint: there is not a lot of livestock in the desert). However, the way in which the butcher boy comes in handy in the final fight against the evil eunuch should bring out some surprised guffaws.