Advantages: Best in the genre - along with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Disadvantages: Not enough about the history on the corrupt Tang dynasty/government

...I almost expected to be disappointed - after reading one bad review (of Hero). And have to say that I was blown away by the cinematography of the House of flying daggers. By the three main actors and the storyline. It is a very romantic film, which might be unexpected, as it is Kung Fu genre mainly. And yes, it is great to see a female character with much physical and emotional strength - Ziyi Zhang as an actress is incredibly gifted, an apparant acrobat, or hypermobile to the endth degree (she is a professionally trained dancer), incredibly beautiful and a great artist. I am sure some will remember her from "Hidden Tiger, Flying Dragon". This film directed by Zhang Yimou has been nominated for an Oscar - I hope it wins, it does deserve to. It has won a Golden Rooster award for best Art Direction already, and is nominated for more... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: beautiful scenery, great action sequences
Disadvantages: less than engaging acting, been there, done that

...Following that less than admirable holloywood tradition. Zhang Yimou, director, has delivered a lesser, reproduction of his hit hero. Martial Arts films, traditionally failed at the box office until the success of such films as crouching tiger hidden dragon, and Zhang Yimou’s Hero, so it was only a matter of when the next one would come out. The House Of Flying Daggers is an intriguing, exciting look at martial arts and the swordplay is thrilling. The handsome stars, traditional costumes, stunning action sequences and beautiful scenery are captivating; however this subtitled adventure has to many exasperating clichés, for example, the seemingly invincible stars of the movie who don’t die when logically they should, which is a shame, as it detracts from some of the fight scenes and becomes a bit of a shambles... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Zhang Yimou's direction, beautiful cinematography & fight choreography, some twists
Disadvantages: Old story, uneven synthesis, some lacking of originality

...Zhang Yimou seems determined to make the newly-revitalised Chinese swordplay genre just that little bit more complicated: part Crouching Tiger, part Tarantino, and part promotional video for rural China. The scene: an ancient dynasty is almost over, the Emperor is incompetent, the government corrupt. Out of the chaos rises the House, an organisation determined to subvert imperial authority. Enter captains Leo and Jin, to whom the task of destroying the Flying Daggers has been given. Things become complicated when blind dancer Mei turns out to be a dangerous fighter and member of the Daggers, at which point Jin is sent undercover. Cue fantastic displays of kung fu skills, the requisite "running on trees" moment, and some supremely powerful flying daggers. Following Hero's vivid colours and panoramic sweeps, Zhao Xiaoding... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Looks a bit mad
Disadvantages: Doesn't work

...for some fresh air! It was for this reason, I think, that mum decided to keep nan's present, and see if the Fly Catcher would help us rid our house of these little monsters. I must admit, it did look a bit cheap and nasty, sitting there in our conservatory. It looks like a child's toy, with its great big yellow jaws, wide open and ready and waiting for the flies to drop by. It sits in a little black plastic pot and it has four ghastly green plastic leaves to stabilise it and help it stand upright. There were no instructions in the box when nan had bought it, so we had to make do with the abridged version on the back of the box it came in. Mum soaked the little brown square sponge it came with in water and then mixed this with what she called the "fly food" (or bait) and stuffed this in the Fly Catcher's mouth …. and waited. Nothing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great Acting, Original Plot and Fantastic Martial Arts.
Disadvantages: Language in Mandarin, Subtitles needed.

...The year is 859AD and China’s corrupt government is locked in battle with rebel armies that are forming in protest. The largest and most prestigious of these armies is the 'House of Flying Daggers', which is growing ever more powerful under a myste