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Butterfly and Sword

Butterfly and Sword

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: ...
Review: Although it features a combination of entertaining violence (although the action scenes are over-edited and uninspired camera angles), brand-name actors, a love triangle, jockeying for position in the martial arts world, and eunich politics, Butterfly and Sword poorly elucidates its plot points and character motives, combining this with lightspeed subtitles and silly editing makes for a generally confusing experience (although it's not difficult to get the gist of the plot or characters, it just feels like you're watching the movie through a thick fog).

I think for fans of HK actioners this might be worth watching for some of the action, but even hardened fans will have trouble ennjoying the rest of the movie. If you're new to the genre and are looking for somethign from the same period, I'd check out something like Iron Monkey, the remake of Dragon Inn, or Swordsman II.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A fantastic movie that only improves with viewing
Review: Believe it or not -- this is a fantasy costume drama which actually has a complex plot, multi-layered meanings and ways of interpreting personal relations, quality dramatic acting (particularly from Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung) and comical scenes AS WELL AS unbelievable visuals and action sequences.

The cinematography is rich, the pacing is quick...There's plenty for the eye to see and for the mind to absorb. In fact, almost too much the first time round; which is why you need to see it at least a second time to really appreciate it. Also, it may help to get a plot synopsis/summary (I would recommend Pete's review off the "Yes Madam" web site) to know what to watch for.

On the other hand, one could just look upon it as eye candy, give up trying to understand what is actually going on (a love square amidst schemes to become master of the martial arts world) and just prepare to be blown away on a purely visual basis...Although that would be only half the experience, it would still be enjoyable enough for many Hong Kong movie fans and fans-to-be (if you crave something very different from American movies, this is it!).

On a cautionary note: The action sequences feature "wire fu". This is NOT Jackie Chan -- not necessarily better or worse but definitely different...and actually way fantastically weirder (After this, "Supercop" is s-o tame!)!!! In fact, it might come closer to "Excalibur"...I KID YOU NOT.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A maniacal wire-fu extravaganza
Review: Butterfly and Sword is a very effective kung fu film set in a fantasy period with heavy reliance on wirework to give the actors absurd supernatural powers. This may be a good or bad thing depending on how you prefer your martial arts movies but I personally can enjoy and appreciate both the more realistic approach (Fist of Legend, Killer Army, ect.) and the frantic wire-ridden madness (Deadful Melody, Iron Monkey). Butterfly and Sword is choreographed by the amazing Ching Siu Tung and I beleive this film to be his best work. The action sequences are so mind-boggling but also so unbeleivably hilarious you will be on the floor in stitches. With stars such as Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen you just can't go wrong and while their acting performances are less than stellar, we all know its the action that counts and this flick delivers in spades. Do yourself a favor and check out this relatively unknown classic. You won't be dissapointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A maniacal wire-fu extravaganza
Review: Butterfly and Sword is a very effective kung fu film set in a fantasy period with heavy reliance on wirework to give the actors absurd supernatural powers. This may be a good or bad thing depending on how you prefer your martial arts movies but I personally can enjoy and appreciate both the more realistic approach (Fist of Legend, Killer Army, ect.) and the frantic wire-ridden madness (Deadful Melody, Iron Monkey). Butterfly and Sword is choreographed by the amazing Ching Siu Tung and I beleive this film to be his best work. The action sequences are so mind-boggling but also so unbeleivably hilarious you will be on the floor in stitches. With stars such as Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen you just can't go wrong and while their acting performances are less than stellar, we all know its the action that counts and this flick delivers in spades. Do yourself a favor and check out this relatively unknown classic. You won't be dissapointed.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Only For Fans of the Genre
Review: Comet, Butterfly, and Sword (also known as Butterfly and Sword) is an interesting movie. It features Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon & Tomorrow Never Dies), Joey Wang (City Hunter), Tony Leung (Hard-Boiled & Gorgeous), and Donnie Yen (Highlander: Endgame & Once Upon a Time in China 2). The acting and direction is well-done, considering the usual Hong Kong action movie. Michelle Yeoh turns in a good performance (but not as good as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), and she manages to look gorgeous and intimidating at the same time. The action is constant and moves at a rapid pace. This movie is definitely not for those with a weak stomach because there is a lot of blood, flying limbs, impailings, and other sorts of gruesome deaths. The martial arts action is sometimes hard to see because of the direction, but that's what makes it look like such a frenzy. There's lots of wirework and other unbelievable stunts like that.

I did not like the movie for a few reasons. This movie is really for people that like these kinds of films. Personally, I tend to like lots of martial arts movies, especially those with Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, etc. I loved the cast, and I thought they did a good job in this movie. However, the action is what got to me. The movie has too much wirework (or wirefu) and blood. If you enjoyed movies like Yuen Woo Ping & Tsui Hark's Iron Monkey, Jet Li & Michelle Yeoh & Yuen Woo Ping's Tai Chi Master (aka Twin Warriors), and Michelle Yeoh & Anita Mui & Maggie Cheung's Heroic Trio, then I think you will enjoy this movie. If you are into those kind of movies, you will love this. However, if you just want to see it because it is martial arts, and this is not your type, then obviously don't get it.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Only For Fans of the Genre
Review: Comet, Butterfly, and Sword (also known as Butterfly and Sword) is an interesting movie. It features Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon & Tomorrow Never Dies), Joey Wang (City Hunter), Tony Leung (Hard-Boiled & Gorgeous), and Donnie Yen (Highlander: Endgame & Once Upon a Time in China 2). The acting and direction is well-done, considering the usual Hong Kong action movie. Michelle Yeoh turns in a good performance (but not as good as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), and she manages to look gorgeous and intimidating at the same time. The action is constant and moves at a rapid pace. This movie is definitely not for those with a weak stomach because there is a lot of blood, flying limbs, impailings, and other sorts of gruesome deaths. The martial arts action is sometimes hard to see because of the direction, but that's what makes it look like such a frenzy. There's lots of wirework and other unbelievable stunts like that.

I did not like the movie for a few reasons. This movie is really for people that like these kinds of films. Personally, I tend to like lots of martial arts movies, especially those with Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, etc. I loved the cast, and I thought they did a good job in this movie. However, the action is what got to me. The movie has too much wirework (or wirefu) and blood. If you enjoyed movies like Yuen Woo Ping & Tsui Hark's Iron Monkey, Jet Li & Michelle Yeoh & Yuen Woo Ping's Tai Chi Master (aka Twin Warriors), and Michelle Yeoh & Anita Mui & Maggie Cheung's Heroic Trio, then I think you will enjoy this movie. If you are into those kind of movies, you will love this. However, if you just want to see it because it is martial arts, and this is not your type, then obviously don't get it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Don't analyze, just watch
Review: Do not try to apply western thinking to Asian movies! They are not done with the same intent or even at times for the same purpose. These movies go deep into culture and you have to go with it to enjoy what goes on. This movie has good action and fantastic plot lines! I searched until I found it. I like wire fu and prefer it to "real" kung fu movies because I like to escape. Butterfly and Sword will take you places you haven't likely been before.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Donnie Yen's best swordsplay
Review: Donnie Yen is the only reason to get this film really. Michelle Yeoh's peformance is that of a bitter jealous "adopted" sister. The movie focuses a lot on romance and drama leaving little room for true action, although it is present.

Donnie plays a drunken loaner, who's hopelessly in love with Michelle Yeoh. Aside from that, there's Tony Leung and his goofy wife. The rest of the cast is pretty cooky. This is a typical early 90s film for those of you familiar with the genre.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Donnie Yen's best swordsplay
Review: Donnie Yen is the only reason to get this film really. Michelle Yeoh's peformance is that of a bitter jealous "adopted" sister. The movie focuses a lot on romance and drama leaving little room for true action, although it is present.

Donnie plays a drunken loaner, who's hopelessly in love with Michelle Yeoh. Aside from that, there's Tony Leung and his goofy wife. The rest of the cast is pretty cooky. This is a typical early 90s film for those of you familiar with the genre.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good fighting scenes. Love story with twists.
Review: Excellent in action, acting, direction, screenplay... I can't remember how many times I have watched it.


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