Banquet, The (2006)
Stars
Ziyi Zhang, You Ge, Daniel Wu
Director
Xiaogang Feng
An adaptation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" the film is set in 907AD with the Chinese empire in chaos. The imperial family is in civil war, with infighting rife throughout.
Prince Wu Luan (Daniel Wu) is in love with Little Wan (Ziyi Zhang), but his father take her as his empress. Wu Luan then goes into exile. While away, Wu Luan's father is murdered by his Uncle, who then also takes Little Wan as his bride.
Wu Luan returns, setting up a final showdown with his Uncle, with power and Little Wan at stake.
Martial Arts Styles Used
Kung Fu
Weapons Used
Chinese Sword, Chinese Broadsword
A Chinese martial arts version of Hamlet sounds great on paper, but in reality this film falls flat and will struggle to engage you.
Some of slower scenes are quite beautiful, but overall the fight sequences lack any real quality or pace that is expected of a film starring Ziyi Zhang and Daniel Wu.
