|
Starring
:
Tony
Leung Chiu Wai
Mok
Siu Chung
Adam
Cheng
Wu
Ma
Shing
Fui On
Jacky
Cheung
Ben
Lam
Lo
Lieh
Sammo
Hung
Kuo
Chui
Action
:
Benz
Kong
Poon
Kin Gwan
Producer
:
John
Shum
Director
:
Terry
Tong
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SEVEN
WARRIORS (1989)
A.K.A.
- 7 Warriors
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
There's
little doubt that Akira Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai' is among
the finest films ever made. Few movies have combined character
development, storyline and gradually increasing tension in
such a sublime way. As this is the case, it's obvious that
producers throughout the years would be very eager to utilise
the framework of the film and therefore countless ones have
borrowed liberally from it. 'Seven Warriors' is a Hong Kong
homage to Kurosawa's work and gathers together a glittering
cast to handle the proceedings.
The
common plot is transported to 1920s China and again
concentrates on a lowly village who rely heavily on their
annual harvest. With the land suffering such poverty and
degradation, the villagers centre their livelihood on this
precarious lifeline. A tribe of bandits decide to target the
innocent villagers though and demand a substantial fee
otherwise they will raze it to the ground. Such a terrifying
threat puts the inhabitants in an impossible position; either
way the very lives of most of them art at risk. It is this
dilemma that persuades them to look for soldiers to defend
their land from the threat and so one of the villagers is sent
out to hire such men. Unfortunately, with so little money,
they are unable to bargain with the soldiers to complete the
task. They do manage to find a few upright defenders who are
willing to take on the assignment as a matter of principle; by
the end of the lengthy recruitment drive, the numbers total
seven, each with a differing standard of ability. As the
eventual confrontation approaches, the warriors and their
employers become close friends and are determined to stop the
bandits' tyranny.
Unsurprisingly,
'Seven Warriors' does not compare to the flawless epic that
inspired it, but it's encouraging to report that this is well
worth watching. A cast of real quality has been assembled for
a well-paced and thoroughly enjoyable remake that makes full
use of the unusual setting (Sammo's cameo is a pleasant
bonus). Thanks to some realistic direction and the creation of
a genuine atmosphere, the period detail and location work is
above average. Those looking for action will be disappointed
though; the brief battles are straight-forward and far removed
from the protracted fights that are usual for Hong Kong films.
The developing tension more than makes up for this weakness so
viewers can rest assured that this never becomes uncomfortable
watching. Another charismatic performance by Tony Leung Chiu
Wai and some pleasing flashes of humour help this achieve a
four star rating and a recommendation.
Rating:
 
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