R E V I E W

The Legend of Zu

China Star | 2001 | 103 minutes
Directed by Tsui Hark
Written by Tsui Hark and Lee Man Choi

With Ekin Cheng, Louis Koo, Cecilia Cheung, Kelly Lin

B A C K G R O U N D
director, in cinemas, recent and related films

The film's budget was reportedly HK $90 million, three times the average budget for a local film, and the special effects reportedly cost HK $40 million. Six different companies (four from the United States, two from Hong Kong) were engaged to create the special effects; the opening sequence took six weeks to complete.

It opened in Hong Kong cinemas in August 2001 and was generally considered a box office disappointment.

M O V I E

plot
Good battles evil in the magical mountains of Zu.

performances
I would say something about the performances, but most of the actors were swaddled in computerized clothing with only their faces sticking out. I've heard that filmmaking can be very boring for the actors, and most of the ones here look like they're calculating their taxes, or planning their evening's entertainment.

production
Tsui Hark must be on drugs. How else to explain The Legend of Zu?

Nearly every frame overflows with computer-generated special effects that look loony, spectacular, and born of a mind freed from the constraints of the ordinary world. Comparisons have been made to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, but the visions of those two are prosaic, ordinary, flatly Middle American, as boring as driving across Kansas at night, when set in relief against the sensory deprivation visions that Tsui Hark plasters on the screen.

Plaster may be a good description, in fact. Swirling colors and magical creatures are hurled at the screen with the fury of a crying baby. The story makes so little sense that it renders attempts at comprehension meaningless. Instead, marvel at the level of imagination offered up on an altar dedicated to the worship of a purely visual god. It's almost like a laser light show — very pretty, and a lot of work went into it, but you can fall asleep for a while and not really feel like you miss anything. Or, imagine a fireworks display that lasts for 103 minutes, and you have a rough approximation.

Ricky Ho composed the music, William Fung Kwun-Man designed the costumes, and three cinematographers were credited (Poon Hang-Sang, Herman Yau Lai To, William Yim Wai Lun).

rating
Category IIB for extreme weirdness.

D V D

look
The letterboxed (approximately 1.85:1) presentation looks superb. The black levels are quite deep, and the colors are rich and saturated. The source print appears clean with few imperfections noted.

sound
The DTS and DD 5.1 Cantonese tracks sound mightly impressive indeed. The surround channels are used aggressively and the LFE track provides plenty of deep bass punch. Also included is a DD 5.1 Mandarin track.

subtitles
The English subtitles are disappointing. The biggest problem is that they simply disappear at times, leaving the viewer in further confusion about the complex plot. They are white and removable. While the font makes them easy to read, only the most basic translation is provided, making it even more difficult to follow what is being said. Also included are simplified and traditional Chinese subtitles

features
Twelve chapters can be selected from a three-page video capture "scene access" menu. "Film Data" contains a synopsis, characters, cast and crew, the original theatrical trailer, "Making of", and production notes. Click "New Release" to find trailers for Born Wild and Love on a Diet.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
buy, rent, or pass?

Rent. You must decide this one on your own. Some will love it for the very same reasons that others (such as myself) do not care for it.

(Reviewed 12/18/01)

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