The Warlords (Review)

Been a while snce I have seen a so-called “serious” movie and been able to recommend it as worth watching without disclaimers or reservations.

Finally The Warlords is here. While it is not an all-time classic it finally blends the right amount of serious info, historical accuracy, quality acting and plotlines in with some wothwhile action scenes.

The Warlords starts off with a battle more bloody, graphic and realistic than any Kingdom of Heaven, Alexander, Gladiator, even the LOTR films. In fact anything since Braveheart, Jet Li is the only survivor of the carnage, and he looks a lot worse for wear.

We find his name is Pang, and he comes across a kindly stranger and tells his story, he was a member of the army built to put down the rebel forces, only at the time most needed the “parent” army called the Ho army, sold them out and decided not to fight, leaving them to be slaughtered.

As a result a disillusioned Pang has deserted the army once and for all.

After he recovers Pang is in town looking for food when a rebel named Wu-Yang tries to steal his army issued boots, after Pang (of course) rolls him, the guy says “tag along with me and I’ll introduce you to my boss, he’ll love ya.” In subtitles at least.

Once Pang meets the boss named Er-Hu, he is told “We don’t need you thanks, but stay the night, party with us and you can leave in the morning.” But over that one night two things happen: Pang finds out that Er-Hu’s missus Lian actually shares an intimate past with him, and the rebels are attacked by the Ho army.

After the attack Pang urges Er-Hu to join the army for protection, food and safety, as rebels and thieves are the lowest form of life to the public, and their deaths would be welcomed by society. Before agreeing to sign up, Er-Hu and Wu-Yang demand that Pang take a brotherhood oath, they must protect one another at any cost, and any brother that does not or harms another brother is to be killed.

He agrees and they enter the army, starting by attacking the Ho’s as a sign of loyalty. This initial success leads the army leaders to bestow greater power and responsibility to Pang and friends, and they form a unit to take on a Ho-held city stronghold. This leads to the centrepiece of the film, a major battle that develops and unfolds in dramatic and effective fashion, while also showing the bond building between the three “brothers”.

Once Pang delivers the good news to his superiors, he is given greater responsibility, and his true aspirations become more clear.

Over time Pang gets harder, Wu-Yang grows up and realises that War is heck, and Er-Hu rethinks the sheer scope of the situation, and all the while Lian is caught in the middle.

What ensues is a running 5 year battle between the Pang lead forces and the Ho army, with minimal assistance from Pang’s leaders. The Ho’s actively resist their advances, while the leaders, wary of Pang’s growing power and influence, plan his downfall for fear that he may soon turn on them.

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So in true Major League fashion, Pand decides “Fuck it, let’s just win the whole fuckin’ thing!”

This is a historical drama that you can watch without fear that you might learn something (though you might), it is entertaining, has great fight scenes, solid acting and moves along at a pace that allows you to remain interested without just treading water between fight scenes.

Jet Li proves that he is a commanding presence, and although I didn’t remember the names the guys who play Wu-Yang and Er-Hu are both good too. There is one particular scene in which tension runs high, which ultimately creates a rift in the brotherhood and may cause you to seriously consider which side you would align with.

Final Rating – 7.5 / 10. Ignore the subtitles, this is better than most in the genre, and the (admittedly CGI assisted) fight scenes are huge in scope and in realism.

About OGR

While I try to throw a joke or two into proceedings when I can all of the opinions presented in my reviews are genuine. I don't expect that all will agree with my thoughts at all times nor would it be any fun if you did, so don't be shy in telling me where you think I went wrong... and hopefully if you think I got it right for once. Don't be shy, half the fun is in the conversation after the movie.
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