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Musa Review Review by virgule solidus
Okay, I just saw MUSA on the Korean Special Edition DVD that Ishmael also has. It's a gorgeous package which is a joy to open and display. Without giving away any plotpoints to spoil it, I would like to make a few analytical observations that are fresh in my mind right now.
First of all, it must be understood that this is a very good film as epic adventures go. Overall, I would categorize the film itself as above average, with some minor technical problems, although those are mainly in the editing and sub-titling department. The scene transitions appear a bit jerky, and a lot has been sacrificed in the name of realism and brevity.
It appears the director has put a lot of effort into this production, and the settings and cinematography are first rate. But there are several story problems, even though as a work of film art, it is very, very good. As has already been mentioned, the sub-titles are terrible, and I must say, I can discern a pattern in the English translation of many Korean translators when they over-use the word 'to'. Pegs them everytime. If there are too many to's in the translation, it's from Korea.
Nitpicking aside, the acting performances are VERY, VERY strong. These are some first rate actors, of which Ziyi is of course, stellar. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of dialog is given her character, and I would have loved to see much more in terms of face time. I can tell you, only Ziyi can take a small part with minor dialog and really make something of it. She is absolutely regal in this film, and if China ever does return to an aristocracy, I can assure you Princess Buyong can show them how its done.
Whoever picks this film up for US distribution is going to have to do two things. Start over on the sub-titles and re-edit the thing. It will be a splendid film to see, even if it is a somewhat dark, dismal, and ultimately somber storyline. That is the director's one great failing, in my opinion. Although the premise of the story is fine and believable, the ending is really depressing. There's some dramatic tension between characters, and the battle scenes are really gross and graphic, but it certainly is not an epic on the scale of CTHD. It is however, far, far better than Zu, for which I am grateful.
The blood and guts factor is off the charts, with more dead bodies than in the LA morgue on a good Saturday night, which makes some of the violence gratuitous and unnecessary. There is no unifying theme however, and it appears to be more of a mixed documentary and reality television show than good medieval storytelling. Some of the character development that takes place is pretty token in affect; leads nowhere and adds nothing to the story. Characters you never heard of suddenly show up in the middle of the film with a grave new role to play. Stuff like that which detracts from the smoothly integrated affect of a GREAT movie telling a FABULOUS story. That is missing, but is partially compensated by the very nice performances of the actors.
Did I mention Ziyi is stellar? Well, if I didn't, let me say she is just awesome in Musa. Your eyes and ears just perk up with every scene she's in. She literally lights up the screen, as her beauty is so compelling, you start backing up the DVD just to get an instant replay of what she just said and how she said it. There are many facial expressions of her in this movie that have NEVER been captured in pictures before.
Those will be posted, I can assure you. I wonder by how much the US version will differ from the original version. That difference will show up in the editing I hope. The sub-titles have to be fixed, big time, as American audiences will lose track of the story. Some of the subs are too wordy, have too many to's in them and make no sense at first blush. There is a bizarre exchange about Confucianism that is totally blown by the poor translation. Luckily, most viewers will simply gloss over the translation errors in Ziyi's scenes. All you got to do is watch her face. That tells the whole damn story right there.
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