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Screened at Golden Shadows on 23
September 2001, Not since Ronny Yu's The Bride with White Hair has there been a more sumptuous Hong Kong fantasy adventure film. Storm Riders is a wild, escapist flight into a mythical landscape of warring clans, death defying heroes and yin yang magic. Quality cinematographer (As Tears Go By, Wicked City) turned journeyman director (Young and Dangerous series) Andrew Lau seems to have found his creative niche in the fantasy genre. With Storm Riders, he wisely eschews the gore of Bride in favour of dazzling special effects. Veteran Japanese actor Sonny Chiba (The Streetfighter) is well cast as the central character, Conqueror, a despotic warlord who yearns for eternal life and to be the best swordsman in the world - y'know the little every day things. Early on in the movie, he ignores the premonitions of his shaman, which eventually leads to his storm riding disciples Cloud (Aaron Kwok Fu-Shing) and Wind (Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin) turning against him. Kwok's smouldering good looks and tortured persona creates a screen charisma not felt since the glory days of superstar Chow Yun-Fat. Also along for the ride is the spunky Shu Qi (City of Glass) as the rebellious daughter of a herbalist. Long time HK buffs will get a big kick out of seeing Canto hard man Roy Cheung (best known as the sadistic guard from Prison on Fire) as a buddhist monk who faces down adversity with meditation. The sound and computer enhanced visuals are often state-of-the-art, and highlighted by the amazing "saint of the sword" battle. There is also a graphic arm transplant that is done in such a cheeky manner that you can easily miss the inherent humour of this scene, which subtly spoofs martial arts mythology. Storm Riders is big screen entertainment, which to fully appreciate this cinematic magic - deserves to be seen on the silver screen. - JOHN SNADDEN (published in Reel Wild Cinema #6) Storm Riders creates a unique world somewhere between manga and cinema. - VARIETY Like a larger-than-life video game, this grand new take on sword and sorcery features two of the biggest Hong Kong stars today, Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok. - THE AGE |
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