I've rented a bunch of his movies from Netflix lately. It's been a while since I've seen some of them (Double Team, OUATIC). I have more coming in the mail too (the Van Damme classic KNOCK OFF, Time and Tide, etc). I bought seven swords from dddhouse.
What I like the most about Hark is that his films always seem to have a lot of energy and creativity (even if they're not very good).
So far I've watched:
Seven Swords
Not a flawless film, but fun. What it needed the most was more 'bonding' between the seven swords. They just get their swords and are immediately thrown into battle. Not much hanging out, training, etc. Also, they spend the least amount of time on the two guys with the coolest swords. I'm talking about the happy guy with the 'celestial beam' and the guy who was raised by wolves. And you can't just have a guy say "I was raised by wolves." and not show it. COME ON!
Still, like I said, it's a fun movie. I think FU was the best character.
Black Mask 2: City of Masks
Good god this is an ABOMINATION. The crazy Tsui Hark energy is there, but it can't save this movie. The sad thing is, this had the potential to be damn good. You have Hark, Woo-ping and a guy with superpowers who looks like Kato. This could have worked easily with a decent story and decent actors. Instead you get a stupid Pro wrestler/animal DNA plot with some truly awful acting. Ugh.
The Legend of Zu
I don't think I'm a big enough anime/rpg fan to really like this. However, it does have an INSANE charm. Nothing really makes sense, and every frame is packed with weird cgi effects. There are a bunch of pretty images in the film, though.
Double Team
Well it's a piece of shit, let's face it. Watch it to spot clear shots of Van Damme's stuntman performing stunts that AREN'T COMPLICATED AT ALL. Then watch the scene where Van Damme wildly humps a bathtub, and the scene with a diet coke vending machine. Then you can turn it off.
Once upon a time in China
Good film, very good fight scenes. Did seem to run a little too long, though.
What I like the most about Hark is that his films always seem to have a lot of energy and creativity (even if they're not very good).
So far I've watched:
Seven Swords
Not a flawless film, but fun. What it needed the most was more 'bonding' between the seven swords. They just get their swords and are immediately thrown into battle. Not much hanging out, training, etc. Also, they spend the least amount of time on the two guys with the coolest swords. I'm talking about the happy guy with the 'celestial beam' and the guy who was raised by wolves. And you can't just have a guy say "I was raised by wolves." and not show it. COME ON!
Still, like I said, it's a fun movie. I think FU was the best character.
Black Mask 2: City of Masks
Good god this is an ABOMINATION. The crazy Tsui Hark energy is there, but it can't save this movie. The sad thing is, this had the potential to be damn good. You have Hark, Woo-ping and a guy with superpowers who looks like Kato. This could have worked easily with a decent story and decent actors. Instead you get a stupid Pro wrestler/animal DNA plot with some truly awful acting. Ugh.
The Legend of Zu
I don't think I'm a big enough anime/rpg fan to really like this. However, it does have an INSANE charm. Nothing really makes sense, and every frame is packed with weird cgi effects. There are a bunch of pretty images in the film, though.
Double Team
Well it's a piece of shit, let's face it. Watch it to spot clear shots of Van Damme's stuntman performing stunts that AREN'T COMPLICATED AT ALL. Then watch the scene where Van Damme wildly humps a bathtub, and the scene with a diet coke vending machine. Then you can turn it off.
Once upon a time in China
Good film, very good fight scenes. Did seem to run a little too long, though.
