[yasr_overall_rating]
Set in ancient China, the film stars Michelle Yeoh as a skilled assassin who is on a mission to return the remains of a mystical Buddhist monk to their resting place.
I have always been a big fan of Michelle Yeoh’s, going back to her appearance in Jackie Chan’s 1992 “Supercop,” her turn as a Chinese agent next to Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in the decent “Tomorrow Never Dies,” and right up to her amazing performance in 2000’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” for which she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress. She is that rare actress that has crossed over from Asian cinema to the West, and back again. She can instantly go from being tough and dangerous, to compassionate and merciful in the blink of an eye, her chameleon abilities serving her well.
In “Reign Of Assassins,” Drizzle (Kelly Lin) is part of the Dark Stone gang, ferocious deadly assassins who kill all that stand in their way. When it comes to light that half of the remains of a legendary Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhi have been uncovered, and that in its entirety, it possesses mystical powers, including passing on the knowledge of all the martial arts the world has to offer to the one who discovers it, the gang head out, determined to become even more unstoppable. When they reach their intended destination, they must fight the owner of the remains and his men but during the battle, Drizzle makes off with the cadaver and disappears into the night. Burdened with sorrow and guilt for the life she has lived, she visits a famous surgeon who modifies her facial appearance whereby she assumes the identity of Zeng Jing, a simple peasant woman.
Time goes by and she meets Ah-sheng (Jung Woo-sung), the local town messenger and eventually they fall in love and marry but with her old gang still searching for her and the remains which she has hidden, her past eventually catches up with her. The gang members gradually figure out her new identity and give her an ultimatum: hand over the remains and they will let her live, or die. When she exclaims that she just wants to get on with her new and uncomplicated life, she gives them what they want but they refuse to let her go. It is at this time however, that her seemingly mild-mannered husband Ah-sheng, picks up his sword and when everyone sees the inscription on it, they realize that he is an enemy from their past that they all thought was long dead. Now it is a fight to the death, especially for Ah-sheng and Zeng Jing, who once his identity is revealed, divulges his long-gestating plan to wait for Zeng Jing, formerly Drizzle, so he can exact his revenge on her for the death of his father.
If it weren’t for Michelle Yeoh and the rest of the charismatic cast, “Reign Of Assassins” would simply fall into stereotypical martial arts territory. The fact that John Woo, the maestro of mayhem, co-directed the movie, helps elevate it above the competition and rightly so as Mr. Woo’s visual style of filmmaking, is unparalleled. The film moves along at a brisk rate and never once does it become bogged down with unnecessary exposition and backstory, something Asian martial arts movies have a tendency to do. If you’re looking for exceptional martial arts choreography, exquisite cinematography, and top-notch performances, look no further.
Available on DVD, Digital HD & On Demand Tuesday, November 1st
