Today’s quick review: House of Flying Daggers. In ninth-century China, Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), a flirtatious police officer, is sent undercover by his captain Leo (Andy Lau) to infiltrate the House of Flying Daggers, a secretive rebel group. Jin’s mission is to escort Mei (Ziyi Zhang), a blind dancing girl believed to be one of the rebels, to the group’s new leader. But he finds his loyalty put to the test when Mei captures his heart.
House of Flying Daggers is a martial arts romantic drama set near the end of China’s Tang dynasty. The movie features expertly choreographed martial arts action, a dramatic plot, and a tragic tone. On the romantic side, the story plays on the tension between Jin’s duty and his growing affection for Mei. For drama, the movie has plenty to work with: the elusive House, Jin’s undercover mission, and Leo’s attempts to keep the situation under control.
House of Flying Daggers shows skilled craftsmanship throughout. The plot is tense and chock full of surprises; from its simple premise springs a complicated web of intrigue and betrayal. The martial arts are a mixture of grounded fighting and larger-than-life wire stunts. The fights are engrossing and distributed well throughout the movie. The cherry on top is thoughtful direction that savors the movie’s twists and moments of beauty.
The movie does have a particular style that not everyone will appreciate. As effective as they are, the plot twists are somewhat melodramatic. The action is just fanciful enough that it might not appeal to martial arts purists, while the dramatic story and tragic tone may sour the experience for viewers just in it for the action. However, these issues come down to taste and don’t keep House of Flying Daggers from achieving what it wants to.
Try House of Flying Daggers if you’re looking for a more serious action movie. It’s a well-balanced and finely crafted movie that is worth a watch for anyone with compatible tastes. Skip it if you’re looking for pure action. For a historical martial arts movie in a similar vein, check out Hero or Little Big Soldier. For a modern crime drama with a similarly compelling plot, check out Infernal Affairs.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for impressive action, a tight plot, and effective drama.