An Empress and the Warriors (2008)

In ancient China the kingdom of Yan is at near constant war with its neighbours. In the latest battle the king is wounded and names Murong Xuehu, a man of lowly origins as his successor; the king's nephew, Wu Ba, can't take this and murders the wounded king in an attempt to usurp the throne. Things don't go as planned and the king's daughter; Yen Feier, finds herself being named Empress! Before she can be crowned she must undergo vigorous training as a warrior during which time her treacherous cousin makes another attempt on the crown; this time trying to make Feier disappear; the assassins he sends are thwarted by a hermit doctor, Duan Lanquan, who heals the injured Feier. They grow close but she returns to her country and leads them to victory over a neighbouring kingdom that was attempting to invade. She then abdicates and returns to the doctor… although their peace will be sort lived as she must ultimately return and defeat her treacherous cousin to save her kingdom from constant warfare.This might not be the best Chinese action/romance but it passes ninety minutes rather nicely. As anybody who has seen a few films of this type will expect everything looks great; be it the impressively choreographed fight scenes, the lush landscapes or the impressive woodland home of Duan Lanquan. Kelly Chen makes a fine female lead in the role of Yen Feier in both the action and the more comic and romantic scenes between her and Duan Lanquan. The other leads are fine too. The story is fairly simple; the good characters are unambiguously good and the 'bad guy', Wu Ba, is treacherous from start to his inevitable demise; this isn't a problem though; not every film requires twists and shocking reveals! Overall an enjoyably way to pass an hour and a half.

I was horribly disappointed by this movie. The opening sequence was good. Even the initial plot line of a power struggle and intrigue with the royal family. Then a love story gets introduced and the entire movie changes into an absolute mess. Mind you, I am not against love stories intersected into the plot line but this turned to movie into a melodramatic mess. (taking a ride in just invented (by her lover in the bush) hot air balloon, giving up the throne, the slaughter of everyone close to her etc etc). Basically when this movie ended I basically threw away the DVD. The only redeeming quality of this movie is some of the visuals but its not worth the pain of watching the movie, especially the aggrav of the ending.

This is one of those movies that you can tell is trying to be good but ends up being mediocre. There is a love story that is way out of place during a war between the Yan and the Zhao, a love triangle between Donnie Yen, and an ambitious Nephew who will seem to do anything to take over the throne. All of these stories could be well off on their own, but the director doesn't explore either to a satisfaction. Martial arts fans will see a duel between Leon Lai and Donnie Yen, but it feels like it was just placed there just for the sake of having them fight each other. There is good stuff here, but it is rushed and clichéd to the point where it feels like you are buying one of those TV drama DVD sets.

Someone will point out the plot has some flaws, yet it doesn't matter for me to enjoy one of the most exciting two hours in my life! The movie is full of bold imagination, amazing depiction of ancient wars and the great actions of superhero. Donnie Yen in the last scene is just the Mars and there have never been a character in the cinematic history as heroic as him! You will be touched to cry when Leon Lai and Kelly Chen ride the fire balloon to watch such a splendid landscape of beautiful China! The scene that Leon Lai is going to fly with his fire balloon and Kelly Chen hurried to catch up with him, with the accompany of the Orphean strains of the theme song, will become one of the most romantic scenes in Chinese cinematic history! Believe me, take your beloved to watch this movie at weekend and you will love each other more!