House of Flying Daggers (2004): Zhang Ziyi in Tang Dynasty China
Co-written and directed by Zhang Yimou, House of Flying Daggers (2004) combined acrobatic excitement and visual splendor in a winning combination that wowed critics and fans of the "wuxia" genre of martial arts films. Set in 859 CE, in the decline of the Tang Dynasty, a blind dancer is arrested as being suspected of consorting with the House of Flying Daggers… a rebel group of skilled fighters that steal from the rich and give to the poor. After being sprung from jail by a dashing rescuer, the lines of which side everyone is on begin to blur as the spree to escape unfolds. The fight scenes are astonishing and vibrant, an ocular delight, and the film relies heavily on color to set the mood… particularly greens and pinks. The sets, costumes and weapons are all well-chosen and fittingly designed, giving a pulsing sense of place in Ancient China. Zhang Ziyi is absolutely beautiful in the lead role, and she proves once again to be one of the most agile and graceful women on the planet, executing her stunts with both vigor and ease. The supporting cast is good as well, including Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro.
