Woo-ing audiences with Red Cliff

Many fans of Asian cinema may be familiar with the name John Woo. To a lesser extent the mainstream probably is more familiar with his films: Face/Off, Hard Target, Broken Arrow, Mission Impossible 2, and Paycheck. As can be seen by his run of American movies, he is a bit hit am miss.

But that is not really Woo’s fault. He is a Hong Kong director. Which means that he is used to low-budgets, complete control, large amounts of violence and action in the movie, and the time to make it his way (generally). Hard Target failed after the studio stepped in and re-edited his version. Broken Arrow suffered studio intervention as well. And Paycheck – well what can you do with Ben Affleck?

Given the problems he has faced it is no surprise that it’s been 6 years since Woo has had a film hit America. Not that he hasn’t made films. They are just huge hits in Asia. Where he can work his magic, like in The Killers.

The fiulm that’s coming to America? Red Cliffs.



The english sub-title trailer does not do justice to the ability of John Woo to tell a complex story, with thought and action combined.

I see this film as being much like Jet Li’s Hero. A great film that few in America have had the chance to see. A film that has been a mega-hit blockbuster in all of Asia. A film that is worth seeing, yes even with sub-titles.

Perhaps Quentin Tarrantino said it best

“I suppose Woo can direct action scenes. Sure, and I suppose Michelangelo can paint ceilings!”

It’s unknown how many theaters Red Cliffs will be released to in America. So far there will only one part of this 2 part film hitting our shores. But, I have no doubt that this will be a far better film than the tawdry revisioned remake of Land of the Lost (the trailers already make me wish I was seeing the television series instead), or yet another sequel/prequel of a film (though ther Terminator Salvation might just prove to be worth the money and time).

My thought is, take a chance. You may just wind up enjoying yourself – even if you don’t understand a word that is said.

**Oh, and keep an eye out for a few very differnt films from Woo in the near future. They might include: Mighty Mouse (yes even he is into cartoon conversion movies - hopefully better than Underdog), a remake of Papillon (which would be very interesting to see from his point of view), and Rainbow Six (Yes, another video game made into a movie - though this one has the action that fits perfect with Woo).