Shadow

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Donald A Still trying to digest what I just watched. Came here to read reviews after the fact and it appears I’m not alone in feeling this was a near masterpiece. Plot, cast, twists, action and the cinematography… the light vs shadow, the subtle sounds to the and acting and moments had me entranced nearly the entire film. This might be the best martial arts film I’ve ever seen. Titling it that honestly feels like a bit of a crime. It’s much more. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/25 Full Review Alec B There is a lot of set-up for the first hour or so but the imagery is always engaging even when it relies on obvious symbolism. Hard not to love those umbrella weapons. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Bluecam68 The techniques for battle in this movie were unlike anything I've seen before. It was captivating. Definitely great visuals. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/24 Full Review Andrei D Some solid fights but kinda dumb Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/06/23 Full Review Jim S VisuLly dull therfore disappointing. Almost completely devoid of color, with exceptions being severely muted. The choice makes no sense since the lighting is shadowless, no pun intended. So, capitalization on the potential virtues of a gray scale for cinema. All falls flat with foreground, mid, and background without dimension. Every exterior is shot in pouring rain to no discernible purpose. The story is uninspiring and the rendering of on screen is painfully slow. Needless repetitios shots to over-tell the action. The hero is conflicted but not heroically so. The acting by the hero and his mentor is overwrought rather quiet and dignified. Nothing to see here; give this one a pass. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This one required another go 'round to grasp more fully what was happening with the dual characters of Commander/Jing, the shifting presences of Madam and Princess, and just much of the first half of the film. This part is largely setup and very slowly paced machinations and dialogue that will set the framework for the second half of the film. "Shadow" is a film built largely on dualism, as the protagonist is two characters played by the same character; one deeply embroiled in the political and military maneuvering of the day, and one a meer commoner 'shadow' of the other. The structure is built around two roughly equal parts, with the first half a complex political drama and the second half a wuxia action movie. I still struggle with the acting in the more period piece, wuxia/xinxia Asian movies. I find find the acting often contrived and over the top, and I believe if Western films had acting of this manner that critics would lay into them for it. Maybe this is too ethnocentric of me, but it's honest; it takes me out of the world of the movie to some degree. The laughing of the king (and Lu Yan), is supposed to show him as a spoiled, egocentric (even sociopathic, maybe) figure who is untouchable, but instead seems forced and fake. But more than anything else, even more than the fantastic action/fight sequences, this is a beautiful film to look at. It was shot in digital color but it's almost all hues of black, white, and gray, with the one glaring exception being human flesh and blood. The sets, costumes, weaponry and natural scenery are all varying shades (or shadows) of black and white, with even the riverbank apparently desaturated. So give this one a second try if it was overly confusing, frustrating, or the first half poorly paced for you. I believe it will be a noticeably improved experience the second time around. 3.8 stars Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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