Product Description
A loose adaptation of Hamlet, "The Night Banquet" is set in an empire in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies they would like to finish off at a night banquet.
Rate Points :4.0
Binding :DVD
Label :Mega Star (HK)
Manufacturer :Mega Star (HK)
ProductGroup :DVD
Studio :Mega Star (HK)
Publisher :Mega Star (HK)
Lowest Price :$14.25USD
Features
Customer ReviewsFight for power during Tang dynasty Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
When I saw this movie I could not help myself but think that this may be a Chinese version of Shakespeares "Hamlet". The only difference is that the young prince is not an Empress son but her stepson. With that in mind, this film is a battle of the wits and fight for power. Innocents die along the way and there are no true winners in this game.
Costumes, manners, choreography and martial arts scenes add beauty to this production. This is Chinese empirial court at its best. Great spectacle.
Zhang Ziyi Is Beautiful Gertrude in the Loose Adaptation of "Hamlet"
Rating Point :3 Helpful Point :5
Though "Banquet" (2006) is a loose adaptation of Shakespeares famous drama "Hamlet," this Chinese film should be seen as another entry in "wuxia" genre, Chinese martial arts action films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Actually some of the crew of Oscar-winning Ang Lee film came back - Tim (Timmy) Yip as art director, Tan Dun providing original music again, Woo-ping Yuen as action choreographer and of course, the films star Zhang Ziyi.
The story is set in the war-torn era of China after the collapse of Tang Dynasty. After the strange death of the Emperor, his younger brother Li (You Ge) succeeds the throne and he plans to assassinate the son of late Emperor, Prince Wu Luan (Daniel Wu). To protect the life of Prince now living like a hermit, devoting himself to dancing (to whom, it is suggested, she was once romantically attracted), beautiful Empress Wan (Zhang Ziyi) consents to marry Li. But there is more to come after her decision, which culminates in the "banquet" of the title.
Zhang Ziyi plays Empress Wan, equivalent to Gertrude of Shakespeares original drama, but unlike the original play, she is not the heros mother. Though the film is inspired by "Hamlet," I am not sure this should be called adaptation because the role of Prince Wu Luan (= Hamlet) is considerably reduced while Empress Wan plays a major role in the meandering storyline which looks sometimes unfocused. Changes are welcome as long as the originals interesting storyline is kept intact. Here, despite some intriguing premises, it became weak and confusing.
There are martial arts fighting scenes choreographed by Woo-ping Yuen, but not many. The opening sequence is visually striking, but the fighting didnt impress me because, well, I dont see the point of killing innocent dancers in this violent and bloody way (one decapitation included). I dont think people act or fight like this even in the wuxia world. Another fight sequence is slightly better, but I believe Woo-ping Yuen did a finer job in "Fearless."
Many people would watch this film because of Zhang Ziyi, who is fantastic as always, but more impressive is Xun Zhou as Qing Nu (or Ophelia) whose strong performance as unrequited lover almost steals the show from Zhang Ziyi. That is a great feat in itself.
"Banquet" is a welcome addition to wuxia films, but if you ask me whether or not this is a great one, my answer would be, sorry, not exactly.
Zhang Ziyi works well in this re-work of "Hamlet"
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :2
I think the main criticism of "The Banquet" seems to have been related to its pace, but I found it moved at a pace that suited its content the brooding nature of the narrative and the development of character needs a gentler pace. People also seem to have been critical of Zhang Ziyi, questioning her casting (as a result of which the character of empress wan was made younger) and her ability to do justice to the role. Quite frankly, I think shes done herself a lot of favors in this role. The films narrative is heavily influenced by Shakespeares HAMLET, which stands it in good stead, but the story and characters have been sufficiently tweaked by writers, Qiu Gangjian and Sheng Heyu, and director, Feng Xiaogang, to dismiss any accusations of it being a simple adaptation. The basic premise is there, as is the sense that we are building to something akin to the bards tragic, climactic finale.
Zhang Ziyi role as Empress Wan, she is simply stunning as a young woman, whos had her identity and lover taken from her, been thrust into the role of Empress and is now torn by the return of her first love and the power shes become accustomed to, a power that remains in her grasp, whilst she is Lis. Ge You is also great at conveying the menace, weakness and torment that, as he says, arises as result of "the tug between power and love": a murderer, a usurper and a man enchanted by the charms of his new Empress. Daniel Wu puts in yet another solid performance as the emotional young Prince like Empress Wan, his Wu Luan is torn between his feelings (for Wan), the pain of his fathers murder and his relationship with the daughter of General Yin, Qing (Zhou Xun). Alongside Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun is amazing as Qing, she represents something that none of the other characters do: innocence and truth. this often isolates her within the imperial court and her devotion to Prince Qu Luan drives her through the hardship that it causes her.
It is at this point, that I feel compelled to wax lyrical about the film on a purely visual level. The set of the imperial palace is almost a character itself. It has been dressed with astounding detail and the absolute beauty of almost every frame of the film, in which it appears, is a remarkable achievement from the Empresss chamber, the throne room, corridors and exteriors. Besides the sets, the costume design is also quite beautiful. the combined effect of the costumes, their inhabitants and the world which they inhabit, make "The Banquet" one of the most beautiful films Ive watched.
Finally, a word on the action sequences they are, after all, the work of Yuen wo-ping. There are three, relatively short sequences, all featuring Daniel Wu, alongside a larger sequence at the beginning of the film. They are all visually stunning but, while actually being quite bloody and violent, they are more balletic in their choreography and execution. Personally, I love them. Over all, I have to say that Im a big fan of this film. Feng Xiaogang has taken Shakespeares influence and crafted a solid drama that has as much style as it does substance. Thats not to say that it doesnt have its faults, theres a few parts of the narrative that arent as strong as others and the ultimate scene of the film may raise a question or two but, with so many reviews choosing to dwell on any negative they can see, I thought Id go the other way and be nice.
Great for the eyes, a pain for the mind and ears.
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :0
Trying to describe the waste of time this film was would be more a waste of time than the film actually was. Another reviewer summed it up perfectly, it would be pointless for me to do the same. The worst offence? Violence is NEVER poetic.
Disgusting : An Example of Everything thats Wrong with China
Rating Point :2 Helpful Point :1
Please stop the madness. Ever since "Crouching Tiger" from 2000, every other big budget Chinese film has four things - ballet-choreographed martial arts sequences, flying warriors, expensive sets with no relevance, and Zhang Ziyi. Seriously. "The Banquet" is the latest in a long line of supposedly epic films in this genre, and this one is a rehashed version of "Hamlet", albeit with no soul, sense or decent storyline.
The lead actress is reasonably adequate, though her performance here is nothing when you compare it to "Memoirs of a Geisha". The rest of the cast was thoroughly wasted. The worst are the long passages of spoken dialog. Was this a stage play that was converted into a movie? Sure looks like it. The sets are gorgeous and every scene looks like it could be a postcard from opulent Indochine, but thats where the good stuff ends. The endless contrivance never gives up post that, and the tacky storylines blend into one another, and by the violent climax, you couldnt care less.
Even besides such films as "House of Flying Daggers" (which I would almost call a minor masterpiece), this one falters. Other than the money theyve thrown into its production, I found nothing appealing here. Its like a beautiful shell that has nothing within, and how many more such movies does China intend releasing before they wake up? Enough with the ballet dancing swordsmen appearing out of nowhere. Enough with the stylized choreographed fighting scenese directly ripped from "Crouching Tiger", and enough of the bamboo trees as well. Seriously, what a sick overload.
Two Stars. And thats being generous. Save your money people.
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