Red Cliff II is a highly satisfying conclusion to John Woo’s two-part, epic retelling of the Battle of Red Cliffs. It’s a massive, sweeping melodrama full of style and cinematic bravado. This is the kind of movie-making that drew westerners to Woo’s films the late ’80s and early ‘90s; so it’s a real joy to see Woo come out from the other side of the Hollywood experience with the ability to create something of this scale and undeniable power. I gave up on him at least a decade ago, counting him lost to the Hollywood machine. I’ve rarely been so happy to be wrong about a filmmaker. I was one of those people that was obsessed with Woo’s work in the early/mid 90s so it’s like a weird cinematic homecoming to be able to feel like a fan of his again.
One of the best things about this film is its focus. It deals almost entirely with the build-up and execution of the battle. Taking at least one half of the film for the final battle plan (and related intrigues) and another half hour of pure mayhem Woo gives this pivotal event the full respect it deserves. The results are the kind of rewind-worthy cinema he used to produce with regularity before he started working the Hollywood beat.
As an aside, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy or Godfather I and II, watching both entries in the Red Cliff series back to back would be an arduous, but ultimately rewarding experience. The long, steady arc of these films demands to be experienced over the course of a full day with the attendant eye for detail and continuity that’s clearly going to be lacking over the year (or more) that many people went between the two entries. I’m looking for an excuse to do just that. Maybe one day when I’m taking the Acela?
Well acted, beautifully shot and featuring a stellar cast, there’s not much I don’t like about this film (or the pair, for that matter.) Maybe after the glow wears off I’ll find something negative, but for now I’m just going to demand you check these films out as soon as possible.
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