Wu ji

The 'promise' of 340 million yuan (Chinese dollar) turns out to be CGI, CGI, CGI. Kind of hard to believe that Kaige Chen would want to make a film like this. Many of Kaige Chen's former fans are probably appalled and disappointed. As for me, I bought the ticket for sheer entertainment, spectacles, and visual delight. Plus I like Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung (and they're finally married, hurray!). I know the plot is weak, but that's fine with me. Just maintain an open mind, and see how 340 million yuan was lavishly spent- the film certainly contains magnificent spectacles, and the costume and makeup are eerie but beautiful. The film is pure fantasy; don't let logic ruin your viewing experience. To appreciate this film, you can't take it too seriously. And don't compare it with previous works of Kaige Chen... just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

SPOILER: In 'The Promise' Cecilia Cheung plays Qingcheng, an orphan girl trying to survive. While on a battlefield, she tries to find scraps of food from the dead soldiers to bring back to her sick mother. While trying to escape the son of one of the generals, Qingcheng runs into the goddess Manshen (Hong Chen). Manshen informs Qingcheng that her mother is dead and strikes a deal with her. From this day forth Qingcheng will always live in luxury, but every man she falls in love with she will eventually lose. Qingcheng agrees to the bargain.

This movie is a combination of 'Hero' and 'Bulletproof Monk'. This is another Chinese legend epic that really fails as a movie. The moral of the story is hard to follow and takes forever to get its point across. On the plus side, it is a very visually stunning movie. It better be since it is the most expensive film in Chinese history with a budget of $35 million.

If you like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers', you might like this. Else, don't go see it.

Most comments for "The Promise", or "Wu Ji", on the IMDb forum are mainly negative. While it's obvious a film that could have been better, it still offers a stunning look that Chen Kaige has given it. It helps he was working with an excellent cinematographer, Peter Pau, who photographed this film with lovingly care. The result are exquisite images that might not mean a lot to the fans of films of this genre, but will delight others, like this viewer, who is not into this type of fantasy film. The music of Klaus Badelt plays well in the context of the movie. The film has some of the fabulous costumes of any film in recent memory.

It's easy to dismiss the film as a total failure. Other, more recent fare is cited as being much better, which could be true. But actually to experience the film as a gorgeous fantasy out of the talented director Chen Kaige's mind is worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, judging by the screening we attended recently, this film has not found an audience.

Dong-Kun-Jang is impressive as Kunlun. Hiroyuki Sanada also does good work as the General Quianming. The gorgeous Cecilia Cheung lends her beauty to her character, Princess Qingcheng.

The director will surely recover from this experience and concentrate on a more worthwhile story for his next venture. Chen Kaige deserves better and he will surely rise from the ashes like the magnificent phoenix he is.

SPOILER: OK, I was excited about seeing this movie in the theater on the big screen. I couldn't understand why I movie I thought was interesting, entertaining and beautiful with great acting performances was only receiving mediocre reviews. Then, I saw the movie. They totally re-edited the movie from the version I have on DVD! There were parts that were cut out that were important to the storyline. Like the part where the goddess shows General Guangming the King being killed my the master of the master of the Crimson armor. It wasn't in there at all. So when Kunlun went to save the King it didn't make sense because it wasn't established that the King was even in danger. And we were supposed to have seen the King killed and known Kunlun was going to do it as part of the theme of destiny being impossible to change. The entire movie's overall plot was based on destiny and that whole scene was a major part of establishing Kunlun's destiny to be with Qingcheung and the General's destiny to lose the armor and his status. There were more edits and changes made also. All of them important to the storyline. It wasn't even the same movie anymore! I'm extremely angry with the Director Chen Kaige for doing this to his work (or allowing it to be done). The China Version on DVD is way better and I'm sticking to that. The only thing that save it for me was the acting performances. I recommend seeing More Nic Tse Movies like Jade Goddess of Mercy or Moving Targets or New Police Story with Jakie Chan. And Everyone should see Tae Guk Gi, One of the best war movie I think, it's starring Jang Dong-goon.

The Promise has delivered the message to the audience, ie, live life full , bravery to pursuit our love, and our ability to change our fate by choice.

The west have "superman" and "fantastic four". No one commented the movies are illogical. This promise has combined Chinese myth and faith. In such contact, it is unkind to comment the abilities of the slave to fly, run and step into another realm of time and life. Do not apply double standard in evaluating and judging the movie with our limited perspectives. The important thing is the message the movie trying to express to the audience.

The movie captured many beautiful moment, from flowers to sky, from facial expression to non verbal language.

The conversation among the cast are remarkable. It made us think of our own life. The Chinese language fully exploited to deliver the complexity of ideas and thought.

The concubine has made the choice to love the general. She even decided to pour her heart out to the "slave". At the end, she is the one decided to ignore the warning of the "goddess".

A movie worth watching again!