Review of The Emperor and the Assassin

Principally the movie is interesting to see. Nevertheless it was a bit too long (163 minutes). Although it was sometimes important to show the historical, psychological and personal backgrounds of the protagonists it might have been better if it were shorter. The acting of all actors was very good convincing. Like many other Chinese movies huge palaces and plains covered with Hundreds of soldiers have been shown. It is as well a quite interesting photography as usual in the movies of Chen Kaige. Anyhow I must say that I was a bit disappointed. As I read in an article they said that frequently Chinese directors make films of the past trying to criticize the present without irritating the censors in their country. In this movie I could not find any relation to the present of China. Perhaps because I am not Chinese! That is why the movie was simply a historical one telling the story of a brutal king who united China to the first time under his flag. It might be good for the common knowledge but it is not that quite interesting for the fantasy! Therefore I can see it was not big artistic pleasure for me.