Saving General Yang
Director: Ronnie Yu
Year: 2013
Rating: 6.5
In these times
of China Rising, it is interesting to see how they allow their past to be
portrayed in their Mainland films like this one (though with some HK talent
within). Very patriotically even though in theory a Communist Party should
not be thrilled with defending royalty. But that is besides the point these
days - it doesn't matter which Dynasty it is - Song, Han or the Shang - they
are a stand-in for China of today. And this film reaches back to the legendary
Yang Clan which has been portrayed in all sorts of medium - books, plays
and a number of films - a few of them quite famous - The 14 Amazons and The
Eight Diagram Pole Fighter from the Shaw Brothers and Legendary Amazons from
2011. Interestingly, the Amazon films depicted the Yang women while this
one and Eight Diagram are about the male generals. This is a nudge for me
to finally see those films which have been on my radar for years.
The Yang Clan was historically a real family
that protected the country, the Emperor and sacrificed themselves in doing
so. They lived during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) and fought against the
Khitan empire who were from Mongolia and primarily nomads who raided China
constantly. The Yang's exploits became legendary and no doubt constantly
embellished upon.
The film is directed by Ronnie Yu who has
made a few masterpieces - The Bride with White Hair, The Phantom Lovers and
Fearless - and this should have been one. It has all the ingredients to have
been a great film - great action choreography from Stephen Tung wai, who
is one of the best, stunning rugged locations, beautiful interior sets all
lensed in grand style and a story of heroism, patriotism (admittedly not
mine), sacrifice and family. What more do you want to pull at your heartstrings
and give you a thrill? Well, Yu sort of forgot the human element. Where there
should have been emotional resonance there was none. All the characters but
General Yang Ye, the patriarch of the family, are cardboard characters, undistinguishable
from one another. And though Yu uses some familiar faces - Ekin Cheng as
the eldest son, Adam Cheng as Yang Ye and Leung Kar-yan as the general of
the supposed allies - many of the slots were given to pop stars - and they
act like pop stars - not that Ekin shows even an ounce of personality but
I am used to that. You just don't really care about them but the action is
plentiful, all different types, very masculine, some huge set pieces, some
one on one - spectacular at times and very much worth the visit.
Briefly, the Khitan are invading again
with about 50,00 men and the Emperor assigns the defense of the Kingdom to
two clans - one being the Yangs. They are betrayed and have to fight for
their lives against a much larger force. Yang Ye and his seven sons try and
fight their way back home. Clearly, not all are going to make it. Great potential
drama - but Yu spends zero time differentiating the brothers or giving them
any background or personality. Too bad. It had everything else. This film
was made six years ago - but for whatever reason Yu has not directed anything
since - not that he was ever prolific like many HK directors were - only
21 films in 40 years. Bride with Chucky is still a fave of mine.
