“The Storm Warriors’ air-bending test is for the weak
One of the greatest fantasy films out of Hong Kong in the last fifteen years was in 1998 by Andrew Lau blockbuster, The Riders of the storm. Kwok and Ekin Cheng star as clouds and wind, respectively, who become apprentices to a warlord bent powerful domination. Is full to bursting with action and special effects, and although the martial arts and fencing are quite strong the effects are more stupid than impressive. More than a decade after a sequel has finally seen the light of day, and that the complaint itself is no longer applicable.
Warriors of the wind storm and sees Cloud again wage a new battle and if the trailer is any indication not only are the fights and action scenes even more incredible, but special effects have improved substantially. Check it out below for some awesome sword, really artistic shots, and very cool visual effects.
I'm usually not a big fan of that heavy CGI work, but this looks very very sweet. The first movie was just a little too corny for my taste, but the Pang brothers seem to have intensified the drama and intensity with the best visual effects. The film is available on import DVD from Hong Kong, but CineAsia the UK is releasing a final version this month. The DVD is region 2, of course, and therefore require a player region free, but Blu-ray disc will be all-region which means that you can play in the U.S. Blu-ray players. (Special features most likely in SD / PAL format and although you have problems with playback on a Sony PS3.)
The official synopsis CineAsia are here:
Based on a series of successful comic books, "Fung Wan" by the writer, illustrator and editor of Ma Wing Shing, and directed by visionary Pang Brothers (Bangkok Dangerous, The Eye trilogy), The Warriors Storm arrives on DVD and Blu-Ray on 07 2010 full of special features including three short films focusing on the movie's special effects.
Taking its visual cues with innovative style of Zack Snyder adaptation of the graphic novel by Frank Miller, '300 ', this highly anticipated sequel to Andrew Lau's popular 1998 action fantasy epic sees Asian superstars Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok reprise their roles wind and clouds, respectively, two legendary warriors with the power to control the elements. The courage, skill and determination of wind and clouds have helped maintain a balance of peace throughout the empire for many years. But this time the peace is about to come to an end. Lord without God, the warlord evil, has its eyes on all the rulers of China and, in an attempt to usurp the throne, has used a poison specially formulated to subdue the country's leading masters of martial arts including the legendary swordsman with no name. Having absorbed all the powers without name in the process, not the Lord God has reached near invincibility. To avoid this barbaric search to conquer China, the wind attempts to increase his powers by recklessly gives to the dark side stronger in their fight against the mystic arts, but as power increases, which is completely vanquished wrong. Now, Cloud must master an all-powerful, invincible sword style, the struggle to defeat without God and then to the face of his "brother" in a titanic duel with death.
Award winner for Best Visual Effects at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards earlier this year and co-starring some of the biggest names in Hong Kong films, including Nicholas Tse, Charlene Choi, Simon Yam, Yan Tang and Wong Tak-bun, The Storm Warriors is a dazzling display of fantasy action and stunning visual effects and epic battle sequences that are "nothing short of spectacular" (Beyond Hollywood). "
The Warriors beat the Storm DVD (Region 2) and Blu-ray (region free) Film Asia on July 12, 2010. Special features include audio commentary by Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan, 7 making short films including 3 specifically in special effects, a gallery of interview and a trailer gallery. Both discs have subtitles in English and come with Dolby Digital 2.0 and Cantonese 5.1 (DVD) and Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5. 1 (Blu-ray) audio options.
How about the trailer? Does' Kwok-nobble "as a term of endearment?
Storm Warriors trailer
If you are looking for a second 300, this could help, as the directors (the Pang brothers, Bangkok Dangerous) have been very upfront about admitting that employees Snyder look in his movie, is exactly what they were in
Role reversal in Storm Warriors
The snow was rising around the two warriors, as it began its battle to the death. The first jet fighter, a long-haired handsome man with an eye-patch, launched a wave of attacks with the curved sword, like his big opponent, but more muscular armored struggled to defend him with a sword but only black sinister aspect.
Then with a mighty swing of his sword, the long-haired fighter landed a blow to the head of his opponent, and decreased muscular warrior.
But instead of it ending with a final blow, the long-haired warrior threw his gun and ran next to his fellow warrior in apparent concern.
Aaron Kwok (left) and Ekin Cheng face in the set of Storm Warriors in Bangkok. Kwok and Cheng play the lead characters Cloud and wind.
Almost immediately, someone yelled "Cut!" And with the magic of the moment vanished, the majestic scenery of the battle was reduced to an emergency situation with Aaron Kwok on his knees holding his head in pain, while a question Ekin Cheng fussed over him.
Welcome to the set of Storm Warriors, the second film based on the bestselling, full-length comic book series of Hong Kong Fung Wan (Wind and Cloud) of Ma Wing Shing. The movie is being filmed in Bangkok.
It's been 10 years since Cheng and Kwok played the titular characters pinch Fung (Wind) and Bou Keng Wan (Cloud), respectively, in the good response to Andrew Lau directed Storm Riders, who heads the Hong Kong box office with $ HK 41mil back in 1998.
This time, the pair will resume their duties under the direction of Oxide and Danny Pang, the dynamic team behind the franchise of the eyes (as Angelica Lee Sinjie his award for best actress, and spawned two sequels and a remake of Hollywood) , and press Thai thriller Bangkok Dangerous. Twin brothers of Hong Kong origin are based in Thailand.
Aaron Kwok (right) and Ekin Cheng in the locker room like clouds and wind, respectively. Crashes in the next Storm Warriors movie, based on the bestselling comic Fung Wan Hong Kong.
Scheduled for release next year, Storm Warriors is based on one of the arches of the classic and popular story in the comic series - the Battle of death - which has a relentless struggle to end between the two protagonists main.
What is interesting is that this time the story has a complete change of roles of the two characters. When the first movie faced a thoughtful and calm wind against a bad mood, angry hell in the cloud bent on revenge against his master Hong Ba, this time the cloud has to stop wind from the game for the path of no return and become a "demon."
In addition to the expected showdown between the wind and the cloud, the story also includes a new villain, Lord Godless (Simon Yam), and an introduction to one of the villains over the life of the comic - Heart (Nicholas Tse).
According to Danny, who chose to film this particular story arc, because it is one of the highlights of the entire series of cartoons.
"The arc of death battle history is one of the most interesting and popular in Fung Wan. Even comic book fans agree that this part of the series is the best," he said.
"We wanted to be faithful to the comic and show respect for the operator, so that followed the original story as closely as we could. It did not change much, 90% of it is exactly the same."
Concept Art Storm Warriors, with Kenny Hon as Nameless (left) and Charlene Choi as Second Dream (right) and Tiffany Tong as Chu Chu (below).
Inspired by the success of the 2007 Hollywood adaptation of 300 Frank Miller's graphic novel, the Pang brothers have spent 43 years a similar approach with Warriors of the storm, making it the first Hong Kong films, filmed exclusively on the blue screen and custom-set in Bangkok.
"We use a lot of blue screen effects here, like 300. I did not want to shoot with only blue screens all the time, because the result would probably not be very good and would be a waste of money. That's why we have built some of the sets, "said Danny.
In fact, the brothers have built some impressive sets to complement the film special effects, thanks to HK $ 100mil (RM44mil) that Universe Entertainment has invested in the film.
One of the completed sets we take a look at wine with realistic-looking trees, rocks, and even had a small stream bubbling underneath.
Tiffany Tong as Chu Chu.
Oxide, the elder of the twins 15 minutes, stressed that despite all the CGI, the film will be very different from its predecessor also loaded with effects. "Ten years ago, the special effects (Storm Riders) were unprecedented things, but this time, the special effects are much better," he said.
"We decided to make it more realistic-looking, and less like a comic, but instantly knows it's a film made from a comic book just by looking at the bottom."
However, all have been in vain if they had cast the wrong actors to play the titular characters. Luckily for the brothers, that the decision was a year quite simple. After all, Cheng and Kwok had roles in the previous film.
"There was no doubt - it had to be Ekin and Aaron. We were a little worried at first, it might be too old, but surprisingly, his appearance has not changed at all (in the last 10 years)," said Danny.
The truth is that Cheng and Kwok may not be as expensive as a child, they used to be, but it's still hard not to agree that boys are still the best functions, especially when you see them in their costumes.
Although there have been 10 years since the last time was flowing coat of Cloud, Kwok was ecstatic to be back on paper. "Cloud is a very complex, and people will see a more developed version of it here. He is more mature this time, and more" human "too. Do I look like a real human character, not just a comic character," said.
"Ten years ago, the story was mostly about the origin of the characters, with the two blood brothers fighting for the girl, and the fight against Hong Ba.
"This time the characters are completely different. In fact, people from our two characters are reversed. Cloud has to put aside their bad qi (energy) to learn a new sword technique and save pinch Fung who is possessed by demons and becomes in evil. "
Kwok recorded on the film despite knowing how difficult the shoot would be. He also had to strengthen the muscle play Cloud.
"I knew it would be difficult because the costumes are hot, and props are very heavy. I've done this kind of (action) film in years," he said.
"Luckily, lately I've been keeping in shape for my concerts. Even then, I was very thin, so I had to train every day, pumping iron to put more muscle."
long hair extensions and sports rather sinister looking with your eye-patch, Cheng was equally excited to make a movie again Fung Wan.
"I've always liked the character, especially when I was reading the comics. I wanted to do a movie Fung Wan even before Storm Riders was made. I never thought I would be able to do it again 10 years later!" He said, adding I expected to be the villain on this occasion.
Happy to meet with Cheng, Kwok acknowledges that the two have grown and are wiser now.
"We are more passionate about making films now and have put in a lot of hard work too. Our personalities have not changed much in 10 years, and we're still young at heart!" He joked.
While Kwok and Cheng are the only cast members returning from the first movie, Storm Warriors is not short of stars either. Besides Simon Yam as Lord Godless main villain, and Nicholas Tse as the villain side of the heart, Storm Warriors will also feature the duo Charlene Choi Twins as the love interest of the wind, the second dream.
Just arrived from mainland China Tiffany Tong Cloud will play love interest, Chu Chu, a role previously played by Shu Qi.
