We Will Fight the Good Fight

"We will fight the good fight"
Red Cliff II – directed by John Woo
Reviewed by Ernest M. Whiteman III

WARNING: SPOILERS!

Everyone reading this right now knows my love for the historical romance called "Three Kingdoms" by Luo Guanzhong. But it had been my interest piqued by John Woo’s making a film based on the decisive battle of the book that got me to read the book, or books, to begin with.

Opening with a judicious and quick summary of part one the movie quickly jumps into the action with a game of Cuju (kickball or soccer) and we find that Sun Quan's sister Sun Shang Xiang (The adorable Wei Zhao) has been in Cao’s camp spying for the undermanned Han-Wu Alliance. She gets a great storyline when she befriends a northern Wei soldier. Meanwhile, disease and sickness has taken a toll on the Northern Wei and Cao Cao comes across a nefarious tactic that leads to the breaking of the Alliance.

While Liu Bei and his compatriots leave, Kongming stays behind to assist Zhou Yu in coming up with a strategy to oppose the vastly larger Wei fleet amassed at Red Cliff. But it is the bond of friendship and brotherhood in war, a common Woo theme that helps the smaller army overcome. People who know Chinese history already know the outcome of this pivotal battle. Filled with a spectacular final battle that occupies nearly the last hour of the film, great characterizations of the famous historical figures, and a surprising touch with the role of the women in the film.

Woo had come under fire for the characterizations of women in his prior films, but here, the two main women, though opposites in demeanor, one being elegant and soft, while the other hardy and tomboyish, both show surprising strength, integrity, and heroism that fits with their characters and makes it a pleasure to watch their story arcs unfold.

What I liked most about it is that a lot of the little details of Part One that seemed extraneous and out of place actually have a pay off in Part Two: Zhou Yu’s forgery skills, Kongmong’s farming knowledge, Sun Shang Xiang’s need to do something for her kingdom, her brave nature, and her need to be acknowledged by her brother Sun Quan. (even her knowledge of acupressure comes in handy), Zhou Yu’s wife, Xiao Qiao’s tea making skill, her beauty, her own determination.

Even the colt born in Part I, comes to symbolize first, the Shu/Wu alliance, a difficult birthing, and pays off by symbolizing a unified country at film’s end. How could Kongming not be talking about China in those last lines? And those doves, those infernal doves have come to use. Here is where Woo shows his grasp of film making as I do not know of any other director, no matter how well a writer-director they are promoted to be, can have the little details pay off in the latter half of their movies. Woo is back in the zone with this one.

Still, the only characters I wish had an emotional pay off were Liu Bei and his Other Brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. While their prowess in battle is shown, it is never in doubt. In fact, I wish Liu Bei had a scene where he admonishes his brothers for doubting him. But, all in all, I love their characterizations in the films. These three men are the primary focus of the Three Kingdoms novel and I am pleased at seeing them come to life on screen, because this movie is not based of the Three Kingdoms novel, and I can accept that.

Woo made it about the brotherhood borne of war and the need for unity among a disparate people, of the Davids overcoming the Goliaths. Woo took the history and the book and in essence, made a John Woo film. Only John Woo could have gotten away with it.

My favorite shot of the movie comes at the end, when Kongming appears wearing his now-famous garments of Prime Minister that everyone in China and fans of the book and images of Kongming are so familiar with. (see below) The battle of Red Cliff has set Zhuge Liang on his path to becoming Military Leader and Prime Minister for Liu Bei’s Han-Shu Kingdom. Sweet. This story is far from over. But the movie Red Cliff is.

All in all, though, it is an exceptional movie that I continue to play, over and over on my DVD player. John Woo has returned to his roots in a big way here and we are the beneficiaries of a master returned to form.

Highest recommendation

© 2009 Ernest M. Whiteman III