Megastar HK DVD Synopsis: The Banquet is set in ancient China during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, when dynasties succeed each other rapidly in the north and a dozen of independent states vie with one another in the south. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Khitan Empire is on the prowl in Manchuria, ready to conquer China when the moment arises (131 Mins)

 

In2Film/Metrodome UK DVD Synopsis: A spectacular, dazzling and bloody re-imagining of Shakespeare's legendary Hamlet, 'The Banquet' is an epic tale of revenge, violence and betrayal. Locked in a loveless marriage Empress Wan (international superstar Zhang Ziyi) is desperate to keep her forbidden love for Prince Wu Luan (Daniel Wu), from a family divided by cruelty and oppression. When the Emperor suddenly dies, his conniving younger brother Li takes up the throne forcing Wan to marry him. Convinced that this is the only way to protect all she loves from being destroyed by this new power hungry tyrant, Wan agrees. But Wu Luan refuses to see his love snatched away through such evil, greed and deception. After repeated attempts on his life amid furious confrontations with the new Emperor's imperial assassins, Wu Luan resolves to return to the palace and take revenge for himself, his beloved and a nation in the grip of a murderous madman. Featuring astonishing, career-topping action from the infamous Yuen Wo Ping (Kill Bill, The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and a cast featuring some of Asia's most acclaimed cinema icons, The Banquet is like no other epic you have ever witnessed. (125 Mins)

 

Dragon Dynasty US DVD Synopsis: International star Ziyi Zhang of Hero, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha dazzles in this breathtaking action epic inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet. Renowned action-choreographer Yuen Wo-ping (The Matrix and Kill Bill films) and the Academy Award-winning art director and composer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon create “an extravagant spectacle of sin, balletic violence and bloodthirsty politics” (New York Asian Film Festival). Nominated for seven 2007 Hong Kong Film Awards, Legend Of The Black Scorpion (known internationally as The Banquet) is filled with astonishing action sequences like none you've ever seen. (126 Mins)

 

Views: It seems that director Feng Xiao Gang can do no wrong! His 2006 loose adaptation of Hamlet is stunning in every possible way, giving revered epics such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House Of Flying Daggers, a run for their money. Set in the era of the Tang Dynasty and the time of Five Dynasties, The Banquet tells a tale of betrayal, murder, and love, which is all knitted together by many assassination attempts and wonderful performances from all involved. The handsome Daniel Wu stars as Wu Luan, the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty. For most of his life Wu Luan has been in love with Little Wan, but after his father takes her as his Empress it forces the young Prince into exile. As he studies music and dance, his wicked uncle murders the Emperor to steal the throne and soon sends assassins after his nephew. Escaping death, Wu Luan returns to the palace to take revenge for his father while eluding more attempts on his life, fall in love all over again, and survive the banquet on the 100th day of the new Emperor's rule!

 

Although working off the backbone of the famed Hamlet tale, Feng Xiao Gang adds enough of his own originality to make this stand out. After killing the Emperor, Wu's uncle sends out a troupe of deadly assassins to finish-off Wu in a stunning action scene at the amazing forest theatre. This set and action-piece are just beautiful and worth the price of admission alone, quickly confirming that The Banquet guarantees some breath-taking cinematography, slick direction, gorgeous art design, and exciting action sequences. As well as serving as the films executive producer, the incredible and world renowned Yuen Woo Ping handles the films wonderful fight choreography along with his brothers Yuen Cheung Yan and Yuen Shun Yee, and protégé Dee Dee Ku. From the aforementioned attack at the forest theatre to the second assassination attempt on Wu in the palace - that sees the crown prince take on a small army of guards in a training session before they exchange wooden swords for real ones - the fights are violently beautiful and offer just as much excitement as its critically acclaimed peers such as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, House Of Flying Daggers, for example – as well as delivering some of the Yuen Clan's most impressive work to date.

 

The main cast is incredible with Daniel Wu delivering one of his best roles to date as the crown prince who comes home to find his family in tatters, and further attempts on his life. Since making his film debut in 1998, wushu champion Wu has went on to become a big name in Hong Kong cinema and has starred in almost 70 films including Gen-X Cops, Purple Storm, Cop On A Mission, Naked Weapon, New Police Story, House Of Fury, Shinjuku Incident, The Man With The Iron Fists, and the critically acclaimed television show, Into The Badlands. As mentioned, I think this is one of the strongest and most impressive performances I've seen from Daniel, with the star offering some great emotional drama and incredible moments of action. Feng regular Ge You is as wonderful as always, playing the conniving and power hungry new Emperor who, having killed his own brother, is determined to get Wu out of the way in order to rule the kingdom. Having taken over the role initially offered to Gong Li (who passed due to scheduling conflicts with the equally as beautiful, Curse Of The Golden Flower), the beautiful Zhang Ziyi stepped into play the young Empress Wan. Impressing since her introduction in Zhang Yimou's film The Road Home, Zhang gained worldwide attention in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and is as equally impressive here as always. Of course, there are many other recognisable faces who all put on a great show, including appearances by Huang Xiao Ming - Ip Man 2, Saving General Yang, and The Last Tycoon – and actress Zhou Xun from The Emperor & The Assassin, Beijing Bicycle, Confucius, Painted Skin 1 & 2, and The Yin Yang Master. Fans should also keep an eye out for a young Max Zhang, star of Master Z, Invincible Dragon, and SPL 2, who also appears as one of the stuntmen for the production...

 

Visually, The Banquet is just amazing. From the stunningly cinematography to its gripping and beautifully lit visuals, you can't help but be sucked in by every frame. From the scene where the assassins kill themselves on a bridge; with their blood dripping down through onto the guards below, to the wonderfully captured scenes of the highly detailed palace exterior (reportedly the largest set ever built in China) and even the brief but violent polo game, The Banquet is certainly never dull to look at courtesy of cinematographer Zhang Li, who also worked with Feng on A World Without Thieves and John Woo's epic Red Cliff 1 & 2. He is joined by cinematographer Xie Ze – who also worked on A World Without Thieves, as well as Feng Xiao Gang's Assembly, Kung Fu Dunk, An Empress & The Warriors, Treasure Hunter, and Woo Ping's epic True Legend – and prolific Hong Kong cinematographer Raymond Lam Fai Tai. Since beginning his work on the fun Esprit D'amour in1983, Lam has went on to shoot many great titles including Armour Of God, Sworn Brothers, Picture Of A Nymph, Burning Sensation, Magic Cop, Blade Of Fury, Mr. Nice Guy, Curse Of The Golden Flower, and Little Big Soldier; as well as many others. Between them, the trio fill every frame perfectly, highlighting the beautifully detailed work of the costumes, glorious sets, and stunning scenery in every shot.

 

With a dramatically dark end that takes place at the films titular banquet, Feng Xiao Gang sees his viewers off with a final monologue from Ziyi before she suffers her fate at the hands of an unknown assassin; with her life dying out to a beautifully haunting track sung by Jane Zhang and composed by the Oscar Winning composer Tan Dun. Famed for his work on Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Dun looks after the films score in The Banquet delivering an equally beautiful soundtrack to accompany its grand visuals, dramatic and impressive action sequences that help make this a modern masterpiece of Chinese cinema!

 

Overall: An incredible piece of film-making and stunning cinematic experience make The Banquet one of Feng Xiao Gang's finest, and one that is highly recommended!

 

Megastar DVD Extras: Making Of Documentaries, Interviews, Behind The Scenes, Trailers, Promotional Materials, Photo Gallery, TV Spots

 

In2Film/Metrodome DVD Extras: Making of Documentary, Trailer

 

Dragon Dynasty DVD Extras: Audio Commentary with Bey Logan, Making of Documentary, Interviews with Feng Xiaogang & Daniel Wu, Behind The Scenes Featurette, Trailers