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Musa by Darcy Paquet
None of the films released in 2001 has matched the
hype and expectation of Musa, a period epic set in 14th-century
China. The film's plot is based on real history: shortly after the Ming
Dynasty seized power in China, a Ming envoy to Korea was murdered, leading
to soured relations between the two countries. In efforts to mend ties,
Korea sent numerous envoys to China, but most were simply thrown in jail by
the Ming. Musa is the story of a group of envoys sent to China who
are arrested and then sent into exile. Off in the wilderness they manage to
rescue a Ming princess, and they hope that if they can return her to the
Ming safely, their honor and good relations between the two countries will
be restored.
The film features both a well-known director in Kim Sung-soo (Beat)
and a star cast: heartthrob Chung
Woo-sung as a spear-wielding slave, Joo
Jin-mo as the young general, Ahn
Sung-ki as a lower-class fighter, and Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi from Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon as the Ming princess. Zhang was reportedly cast
before Crouching Tiger... premiered at Cannes in 2000, a lucky break
for the makers of the film. Although her role in Musa features none
of the martial-arts stunts for which she has since become famous, her
presence on the cast has raised the international profile of this film
considerably.
Musa is darker in mood than most blockbusters, with
a brutality that leaves little room for romanticism. The director has said
that he tried to present his story in the most realistic way possible. This
can be seen in the film's impressive fight scenes, which leave the viewer
feeling like an unlucky warrior caught amidst the battle. Apart from the
disorienting rush of noise and images, the violence is also startling:
severed limbs and arrows shot through victim's necks drive home the cruelty
of battle.
The story itself is also somewhat unusual for big-budget
films. The movie's characters are not your typical heroes: most have an ugly
streak which flares up under the extreme situations they face. As the story
progresses, power relations among the group are constantly in flux, as the
young general and princess gradually start to lose influence among their
followers.
The film has some flaws, due in part to its vast ambition.
Weak storytelling at the beginning makes it difficult to follow the story or
to feel much sympathy for the characters initially. The acting is mostly
strong but uneven in parts. Fans of Zhang Ziyi, accustomed to seeing her
pound her opponents into submission, may also feel disappointed with the
passive character of the princess, although her performance fits in well
with the themes of the film.
Undisputed, however, is the strength of Musa's
visuals. Shot in 2.35:1 Cinemascope, the film cuts between stunning
landscapes and extreme closeups in a restless, uneven rhythm. Adding to the
cinematic thrill is the film's epic score by Japanese composer Shiro Sagisu.
Those looking for a bit of widescreen, gory spectacle this fall are advised
not to miss this film.
(Trailer: 300k)
Discussions
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