The Taking of Tiger Mountain (2014)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2014
	Director: Tsui Hark (Once Upon a Time in China, Detective Dee)
	Actors: Hanyu Zhang, Kenny Lin, Liya Tong
	Country: CN
	Genre: War, Drama, Action
	Conditions of visioning: 02.05.2015, Teatro Nuovo, 2D, FEFF2015
Synopsis: 1946. A contingent of the People Liberation Army enters in conflict with an army of bandits that took over the ammunition reserve on top of Tiger Mountain.
Review: I have been knowing the name of the director Tsui Hark for a while but I think I have seen only Black Mask 2 (over-the-top masked hero) and the atrocious The Blade from him, still missing his more known Once Upon a Time in China, Seven Swords and the critically acclaimed Detective Dee. The man is known for his efficiency (delivery two big budget movies per year) and generosity: long movies, epic stories, lots of action and special effects. Does this pay off? In China maybe, but as part of a Western audience I find that the story is confused when trying to show too much, the reactions of the characters unrealistic and the special effects look too cheap (must you show bullet wounds in CGI instead of practical effects?). A bit like an Asylum production (Sharknado, DinoCroc vs. Supergator) but with more budget. The Taking of Tiger Mountain (shot in 3D but that I saw in 2D) is in the same line. The story is too complicated and the characters spend the first hour of the movie explaining and repeating their motivation over and over, however not filling in the most basic plot holes. I was however surprised by some good-looking hard-to-do (and a bit over-done) digital effects, like a full CGI tiger and hawk. I didn't feel involved at all in the story, even when we see some bravery display, or people fighting to save a child or a village, or some heroes dying. All flat. The music doesn't help as it often doesn't fit the action and/or is too present. The story is also uselessly linked to present times during the opening and closing scenes. The worst is maybe that the director couldn't choose between two endings: one realistic but boring, the other very exciting but totally exaggerated and out-of topic (involving the plane that can be seen on some movie posters) and in the end he shows both, one as the real story and the other as a fantasy one. After 2h20 I was glad when the brain smashing was over.
Rating: 2 /10