The Promise

When I saw the trailer for The Promise, it didn't look too impressive to me, but I noted that it is a Chen Kaige film, and Chen Kaige is reason enough to watch a film that might not look so good.

So I watched The Promise (or Mo Gik), and I must say that it is not often I watch a film with my jaw down most of the time in reaction to the visual majesty of the film.

When I watch movies, the first thing I look out for are the new things to see, more so than the stories. That's the whole point of the cinema, right? To use our eyes. The Promise delivers full marks on that front, with precise and unique cinematography that captures and compliments the breathless and mystical elements of the film in dazzling colors and sweeping scenery.

At this juncture I must note that The Promise is shot digitally, and employs a wide range of digital effects to create the semi-fantasy world of fluorescent colors and out of this world settings. One of the common complaints about this film is that the CGI, as well as the set decoration in this film looks highly amateurish despite it's grand setting. I have to agree that it's not the finest looking visual effects in the world, but I'm proud of it nonetheless. For a budget 4 times less than movies like Star Wars and King Kong (despite it being the most expensive film ever made in China), the effects are pretty darn good to see. Watch it in context, and it'll be the finest thing that China has ever seen.

As for the acting, I can't say too much about it. A Korean and and a Japanese take up two of the four lead roles, and both of them speak mandarin well enough to pass off as Chinese characters. Cecilia Chung dazzles the screen not only with her beauty, but simple gestures of seduction that would capture any man's attention in an instant. Nicholas Tse, whom I personally consider as someone who cannot act for nuts, manages to act a little bit this time as the cunning Duke.

Action, romance, and dialogue mesh together happily and consistently throughout the film, accompanied by the epic score by Klaus Badelt.

A dazzling experience in the cinema. The film is not without it's flaws, with plot holes occurring every now and then, and moments of extreme cliché. But before these moments shame the film, the next moment of visual cuts in and saves the day.

8/10

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!

I've seen the movie and I liked it very much, even more than "Hero" or "Crouching tiger, hidden dragon" (and they were excellent!). The movie is colorful, the actors are good, the plot is magical and captivating, lots of battle scenes and martial arts.

The one thing that you should keep in mind when you decide to go and watch it, however, is that there's one important difference between "Promise" and "Tiger/Dragon", for example. While the latter was mainly about the martial arts, magical swords and true warriors searching for their destiny and characters' relationship remained peacefully in the background, "the Promise", despite its many combat scenes and stuff like this, is a love story, a fairy tale. Which makes it sort of similar to the "House of flying daggers".

The flaws? Well, I suppose there're some, because nothing is perfect. But, personally, I didn't notice any.

It's a beautiful love story and it's worth watching. There's a right time for everything and there are not many bad movies....

Enjoy it!

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.

This film could have been very good if only they would have allocated that huge budget to better special effects. The other important thing that needed to be accomplished was to write a much better script.

There was some great visuals in this which hit the spot and were quite pleasing. Some of these scenes can be viewed in the film trailer.

I do not fault the actors for the shortcomings of this film, with the exception that they should have challenged the director more regarding some scenes and dialog which were absolutely stupid. Enough has been said by other reviewers concerning this.

I felt sorry for Cecilia Cheung in the fact that the director Chen Kaige seemed to try his best to make her look like a wax corpse, rather then a beautiful Princess.

This film had a lot of potential, but it got wasted. It is a shame. It is not the worst film in the world, it's just that it could have been really something special.

I challenge you to watch it and make your own conclusion. I am pretty confident you will agree with me after doing so.