Set in China in the late 190s and 200s, warlord Cao Cao defeats many rival warlords to gain supremacy in northern China and set himself up to replace the emperor while young lovers Lingju and Mu Shun are trained by his enemies to assassinate him. - (Baker & Taylor)
In the year 198 BC, Cao Cao (CHOW YUN FAT), Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, ventured to the east and defeated China's greatest warrior Lu Bu, terrifying every ambitious warlord across the country. Several years later, after taking the Han Emperor under his wing, Cao crowns himself King of Wei. He built a magnificent Bronze Sparrow Island to symbolize his power and rumors spread that he would replace the Emperor. Meanwhile, young lovers Mu Shun (TAMAKI HIROSHI) and Ling Ju (CRYSTAL LIU YI FEI) are taken from a prison camp to a hidden tomb, where they spend five cruel years together, training as assassins for a secret mission. In the year 220 BC astronomical signs predict dramatic change. As a result, Cao's son Cao Pi (QIU XIN ZHI) and Cao's followers urge Cao to become the new Emperor - but unknown and opposing forces plot against him. - (Well Go USA Inc)
Video Librarian Reviews
Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun-fat is a formidable presence as legendary Chinese warlord Cao Cao (pronounced "So-So"), the powerful Prime Minister of the Han dynasty. In the year 198 B.C., Cao defeated China's greatest warrior, maximizing his power by turning the incompetent emperor, Xian (Alec Su), into a puppet leader while he ruled behind the scenes. Over the next two decades, Xian trained kidnapped children to become warriors and assassins, including young lovers Mu Shun (Hiroshi Tamaki) and Ling Ju (Crystal Liu Yifei), who spend five years in a prison camp preparing for a secret mission to assassinate Cao Cao. While an astronomical symbol predicts imminent change in dynasties, Cao finds himself in the midst of a power struggle between Xian and Cao's own ambitious son, Cao Pi (Qiu Xin Zhi), who sets his sights on the throne. As the myriad subterfuges unfold, The Assassins becomes somewhat bogged down with an overabundance of peripheral characters and complicated scheming. Yet the film is also a sumptuous visual feast, boasting impressive sets and sterling production values, as well as some well-written dramatic scenes (allowing Chow to shine) and exciting bursts of action. Likely to appeal to fans of other recent Hong Kong historical epics depicting the "Three Kingdoms" era, such as John Woo's epic Red Cliff, this is recommended. (J. Shannon)Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2011.