Member DiP Posted October 21, 2009 Member Share Posted October 21, 2009 The 1st poster is magnetic. There's hope now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Maz Posted October 21, 2009 Member Share Posted October 21, 2009 A new longer trailer (Finally, see Sammo in it): http://video.sina.com.cn/ent/m/c/2009-10-22/035555560.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted October 21, 2009 Member Share Posted October 21, 2009 Woah, really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted November 4, 2009 Member Share Posted November 4, 2009 http://ent.ce.cn/main/movie/hydy/200911/05/t20091105_20348925.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Maz Posted November 10, 2009 Member Share Posted November 10, 2009 HK Press conference. A 4 minute promo vid/trailer was shown and the theatrical release date will be 11 February 2010 Source: http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2009-11-10/16552764865.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted November 10, 2009 Member Share Posted November 10, 2009 Yen enjoyed playing villain Yen explored transformation in '14 Blades' HONG KONG -- Action star Donnie Yen says he signed on to play an ancient Chinese secret service agent in his new film — even though it was another kung fu epic — because he wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity. Historical or martial arts blockbusters have dominated the booming Chinese film market in recent years — and Yen is one of the genre's biggest stars. The China-born, Hong Kong and Boston-raised actor most recently starred in the hit biopic of Bruce Lee's teacher, "Ip Man." Other recent action credits include "Hero," "Seven Swords," "Flash Point," "Dragon Tiger Gate" and "An Empress and the Warriors." Promoting his new movie "14 Blades" in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Yen told reporters while he's always looking to broaden his repertoire, he agreed to another action flick because he could explore a villain's transformation. Hong Kong director Daniel Lee's kung fu thriller revolves around the Chinese emperor's secret service in the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) — the "Jin Yi Wei" — which Yen described as orphans who were trained into ruthless killers used to pursue the emperor's personal vendettas. Yen plays Qing Long, a secret service agent who's betrayed and hunted by his colleagues. He falls in love while on the run, discovering his compassion after years of senseless killing. "14 Blades" describes how the relationship transformed "a killing machine to a real human being," Yen said. "This is very different from the other ancient Chinese epics I've starred in," he said. Yen, a veteran action star who once trained with Jet Li's teacher in Beijing, joked that his co-star, newcomer Kate Tsui, was a clumsy fighter — but added that actual kung fu prowess doesn't matter as much as capturing a fighter's spirit. "Whether you know kung fu isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is whether you can project the aura of an ancient fighter," he said. "14 Blades" is scheduled to be released on Feb. 11. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/asia/hong-kong/e3i1239cf1a1e13f623162ba07f3d512046 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted November 10, 2009 Member Share Posted November 10, 2009 Official Site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 14, 2009 Member Share Posted December 14, 2009 Trailer 2. 6H971gTRF74 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Drunken Monk Posted December 14, 2009 Member Share Posted December 14, 2009 While there looks to be a little too much flying for my liking, the ground fighting and weapons work really look solid. I must say I'm really looking forward to this one. It's surpassed "Bodyguards and Assassins" on my anticipation gauge. I just hope Donnie Yen stays consistent with his output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member blue_skies Posted December 14, 2009 Member Share Posted December 14, 2009 While there looks to be a little too much flying for my liking, Same here it does look way too flighty, which I find surprising given I'm sure that I saw a video clip of Donnie Yen stating his dislike of lots of wirework like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 14, 2009 Member Share Posted December 14, 2009 Everyone says the same thing, regardless of taste and trends (although it's true that he likes to keep things as realistic as possible). In the end, it's all about the projects they choose (either because of the casting, script or whatever). My interest for this movie has raised a bit but it's still B&A and Ip Man 2 for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 25, 2009 Member Share Posted December 25, 2009 http://z6.invisionfree.com/FilmSmash/index.php?showtopic=52&st=30 http://news.chinafilm.com/200912/2557245.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 25, 2009 Member Share Posted December 25, 2009 Trailer 3. z0HoZL111yk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tosh Posted December 25, 2009 Member Share Posted December 25, 2009 Damn Yen is as ripped as he's ever been, looks interesting, I agree to much wirework, it doesn't bother me as much with Wuxia but... they need to get back to the roots of it, combine it with more acrobatics not as much cgi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member shelliegal Posted December 25, 2009 Member Share Posted December 25, 2009 Damn Yen is as ripped as he's ever been, looks interesting, I agree to much wirework, it doesn't bother me as much with Wuxia but... they need to get back to the roots of it, combine it with more acrobatics not as much cgi. i agreed and the fights in the teaser look pretty grounded to me. can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 27, 2009 Member Share Posted December 27, 2009 http://slide.ent.sina.com.cn/slide_4_163_3040.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 30, 2009 Member Share Posted December 30, 2009 Behind the scenes (Donnie Yen vs Chen Kuan-Tai). Oj3XScQ6UZ4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Drunken Monk Posted December 30, 2009 Member Share Posted December 30, 2009 Behind the scenes (Donnie Yen vs Chen Kuan-Tai). http://v.sohu.com/20091229/n269291446.shtml Good stuff! While I'm still not excited about the wirework, I think the stright forward choreography looks smooth. I'm excited for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member SimonMW Posted December 31, 2009 Member Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hang on, did someone say "Donnie Yen vs Chen Kuan Tai"?! Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted December 31, 2009 Member Share Posted December 31, 2009 You got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Maz Posted January 3, 2010 Member Share Posted January 3, 2010 Source: http://slide.ent.sina.com.cn/slide_4_163_3309.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted January 6, 2010 Member Share Posted January 6, 2010 Now I'm in! 2WMrNn_uWbY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Drunken Monk Posted January 6, 2010 Member Share Posted January 6, 2010 I'm a sucker for a good sword-focused movie and seeing this trailer has confirmed my giddiness. I'm really looking forward to this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Maz Posted January 12, 2010 Member Share Posted January 12, 2010 More HQ stills here: http://slide.ent.sina.com.cn/slide_4_163_3608.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DiP Posted January 27, 2010 Member Share Posted January 27, 2010 Review of 14 BLADES It's about time Donnie Yen made an impact yet again in the fantasy wuxia-pian genre, given the rather recent dismal films with Painted Skin (where he only had a supporting role), An Empress and the Warriors, and Tsui Hark's Seven Swords back in 2005. Most of us went ballistic with his more modern action roles ranging from SPL to Ip Man, and his 14 Blades character of Qing Long (Green Dragon, thanks to those mean looking tattoos adorned all over his upper torso) here looks quite set to become yet another memorable role similar to his morally ambiguous one in Bodyguards and Assassins. Here, Yen's Qing Long is the General-in-chief bodyguard to, and assassin for a Ming Dynasty king, who had set up the Jin Yi Wei (the Mandarin title), or the Brocaded Robe Guards, a special army known for its dogmatic principles in fulfilling mission objectives, whose loyalty is to the king only, and are at his beck and call to do just about anything the king commands. That of course leaves room for evil eunuchs to manipulate, especially when they can get the king easily distracted with wine, song and plenty of nubile women. The first few minutes of the film introduces us to the background of Qing Long and his army of bodyguards and assassins, the evil that lurks within the royal family and palace from eunuchs to an exiled prince (an extremely short cameo by Sammo Hung), and of course, the fabled 14 Blades. Unfortunately, we are told of the uniqueness and names of each blade, but never see all of them in action, coupled by the fact that they look quite generic. Only Qing Long is assigned this utility box containing the swords and lugs it everywhere ala El Mariachi's guitar case, and at his will can throw up the appropriate weapon to battle adversaries, including a set of grappling hooks! Writer-director Daniel Lee managed to create a film consisting of a successful amalgamation of wuxia-pian elements, with iconic fight action sequences set in tea houses, desert duels, forest brawls with abandoned temples and exotic cities enhanced by CG to play host to a film complete with double crosses, a prized possession that everyone is after, and had time to sneak in unrequited romance. In some ways the film plays out like a Cowboy Western with its one man sheriff and an escort agency up against various bands of outlaws in endless desert filled land, with that theme of hope that they'll make it unscathed against changing odds, save the day and to ride off into the sunset with the damsel. The story though gave way at the midway mark, where it clearly became nothing more than a stringing together of battles and one on one duels, which thankfully were still exciting to sit through, with none of the fast cut edits or crazy closeups that will make you cringe. With the introduction of Wu Chun as Judge, the leader of a brigade of bandits who has this cool boomerang double blade, and Kate Tsui in a role where she only grunts as loud as Maria Sharapova hitting a return volley, ample time got dedicated for one to mirror Qing Long's transformation and road to redemption, while the other, well, just serves to grunt a lot, in a get up that looks inspired by Medusa, and armed with a serpent sword-like-whip, and powers of CG stealth. But underneath the fights, the flimsy storyline and gorgeous costumes, 14 Blades turns out to have an incredibly strong romance instead, with Vicky Zhao (her umpteenth period role straight) starring as Qiao Hua, daughter of the Justice Escort agency founder (played by veteran Wu Ma), enamored by the manliness of the legendary leader of the Jin Yi Wei, since she grew up on fairy tales and harboring the hopes that a fabled swordsman would one day save society from its evils. In a way her Qiao Hua exhibits the Stockholm Syndrome, being held captive against her wishes, but slowly being drawn romantically to her captive, even endangering herself (in a scene to provide comic relief) by willingly becoming his aide and pawn. It's far from being the perfect film, especially with unbelievably incoherent flashbacks and the going overboard with explosions (of the RPG type), but Donnie Yen once again shows that when it comes to the fisticuffs, he still has a lot to offer, despite the story's potential that had it go off the blocks strongly, only to fizzle out before the end in a case of severe narrative burn-out. http://twitchfilm.net/reviews/2010/01/review-of-14-blades.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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