Genghis Khan Conquers the Moon

It has an interesting subject. Did I really like it, no actually. But I was never bored while watching it. It was really interesting that an actor like James Hong was in such a movie.

The whole thing with this film is that the idea for it is so absurd that it becomes attractive. Ghengis Khan was a brutal, fascist type warrior in his time. He felt he was sent by God, but there seems to be no godliness at all. He pushes his way into a library and is soon given a glimpse of the surface of the moon. I really don't understand his motivations.

It is not the right word but it could be useful. for suggest more than for describe. because it is one of films remembering old Oriental parables. a film about power, desire, needs , magic and limits. and seductive for a script who not use Genghis Khan as symbol but gives an inspired story about a form of solitude who seems be unusual. a good motif for see it is not only the story but the lead actors. the presence of Cary-Hoyuki Tagawa and James Hong could be perceved as tool for seduce a specific target. but each of thems is in his right place and does a real good job. so, a leader, a wizard and the moon. and a meet changing everything.

Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa. James Hong. Genghis Khan. Moon. The cast and the title should be all it takes to draw in an audience. These actors are all but legendary, and to see them share the screen is a gift.

Yet don't get too excited. Like catnip or treats placed in a carrier before a scheduled vet visit, the attractants oversell the experience a bit.

'Genghis Khan conquers the moon' isn't abjectly bad. The filming locations are great, and set decoration is superb, as is costume design. I love Pantawit Kiangsiri's music, which to some degree reminds of the heavily styled scores of Basil Poledouris. The visual effects are swell. The title, in and of itself, suggests a wonderfully cheeky story idea. The direction this short actually takes is significantly different, but also very much worth exploring.

It's regrettable that this film's greatest assets aren't exercised to their full potential. It's a joy to watch the two as scene partners. Yet Hiroyuki-Tagawa was apparently instructed to partly mumble his way through every line of dialogue. Hong, one may suppose, was directed to carry the same air of mysticism and peculiarity that he has brought to so many other roles - yet somewhat downplayed. With two great actors seemingly given the Harrison Bergeron treatment, what value we had hoped of in a warlord meeting a wizard is diminished.

Just as much to the point though - the course of events doesn't impart nearly the profundity that is intended. True, I suppose it's fair to say that a tranquil air about the climax is appropriate given its setting. Yet the short is ultimately not satisfying - only wanting, with a pervasive sense of something missing. The promise held in the casting, and in the premise, is not kept.

No doubt some other viewers will find 'Genghis Khan conquers the moon' more enjoyable and impactful than I have - I hope that's true; I wanted to like this. Personally, though, I just can't especially imagine recommending this to someone unless they're enormous fans of the cast.