| Product: |
Assembly (DVD) |
| Date: |
28/06/08 (153 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: heart rending, alternate view point, graphic battle scenes
Disadvantages: some may be disuaded because it is Korean
ASSEMBLY- A review by Addy.
BACKGROUND
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If every picture can tell a story then the front cover of Assembly tells of a story that begs, wants, nay....needs to be told. It grows increasingly evident to me that the film Saving Private Ryan as a war film, has set the standard for other future war films to live up to. I have seen films creeping onto sale with frivolous boasts of meeting that standard. Yet it is the film as a whole that is what other films try to either imitate or improve on, but the battle scenes and endeavouring to incorporate the realities of war whilst being safe in the sanctity of your living room. There is a point to all this. You see after being seduced by the picture you start to read "The most impressive war film since Saving Private Ryan" Sunday Times 4 stars. The more quality tabloids stamp their approval such as The Times, The Guardian as well as film magazines. Yet, what also caught my eye was from the team that bought you Brotherhood and I found myself asking the question, what can they do to improve or even equal the magnificent film, Brotherhood? So you may have already deduced that Assembly is a war film but this film is one of those few rare treats that plays out the story from the side of the communists which can be difficult to empathise with when viewed by westerners used to democracy. Assembly also has one further feather in its cap and is the reason why I said that this is a story that needs to be told is that Assembly is based on a true story.
SPECS
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Title: Assembly
Starring: Hu Jun
Director: Feng Xiao Gang
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen
Media Format: DVD - NTSC
Running Time:124 Minutes
Studio: Media Asia Distribution Ltd
Released: May 2008
Audio Spec: DTS ES 6.1/ Dolby Digital 5.1EX
Dialogue: Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English , Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
SYNOPSIS
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The films focus is set on 1930's China, specifically the civil war between The Peoples Liberation Army which were communists, and The Nationalist Army along but as aforementioned the film is told from the communistic viewpoint leaving me needing to be open minded since I find the concept of communism most repugnant. The war lasted from 1927-1950 but the film concentrates on the battle that took place between Xuzhou and Bengdu. From the films beginning it holds no illusion as to the way that it is going to tell the story. Captain Guzidi and his men are thrown headlong into battle within mere minutes of the opening credits, and it is a real eye opener. The soldiers are accompanied by a soldier called political man. The functionality of these men is to inspire fanaticism in the troops and encourage the troops to go that little bit further, it is like having a propaganda machine with you at all times. However, it soon becomes apparent that most of these are zealots pointing guns at each other at the slightest misunderstanding of thinking of another as showing cowardice. The action makes no excuses and is brutal, graphic, and realistic with shaky cameras and horrific explosions that would make Spielberg proud. Limbs get removed, men tossed through the air and blood oozing with others trying to stem the flow of blood to no avail. Even the fanaticism extends to barbarism after enemies surrender and the men are ordered to gun down the POW's. Literally within five minutes the scene is set for the entire first half of the film. So the introductions are out of the way as you get to grips with Capt Guzidi and what's left of his ragtag band. Before long Guzidi is ordered to take his ninth company along with a few extra men forty six altogether, and all the equipment he needs on a mission of extreme importance.
This is what will come to be known as the battle of Xuzhou and Bengdu. The orders are that unless they here the bugle call the assembly they are to keep fighting even if it means to the death of everyone, seriously, this is the levels of extremism we are exposed to. Furthermore this is no joke this really happened. I won't divulge too much about this part of the film but it gets very disturbing in some scenes and is aided by the explicit nature that the film is shown to give realism. Inner conflict and division become part and parcel as the numbers rapidly deplete and death for everyone becomes a stark, cold reality. Men attempt to convince the Captain that the Assembly has been called but he is not having any of it. After being found on the remnants of the field of battle with many wounds Captain Guzidi recovers and thus becomes the tragic heart rending second half of the film.
The Ninth Company are deemed missing in action and has a consequence are dishonoured. This has a huge impact even as far as the treatment of the family of many listed in this manner. To captain Guzidi this is totally unacceptable and he sets out on a new mission but one of the heart where he will stop at nothing to find the bodies and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that "all" of his men died heroes.
A VIEWERS OPINION
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If China was ever under doubt as to whether they can make quality martial arts films I would say that arguably everyone would give a positive response. In the instance of Assembly China has for me and many film critics convinced us that they can make films on all levels and not just give America a run for its money but be on par and in some respects slightly ahead. It is apparent to me that this film wanted to get certain messages across and it succeeds.
EMOTION
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In an abundance! The film expresses emotion in every sense through the horrors of war be it fear, One man is imprisoned and awaiting execution for urinating himself in battle. There is anger, extremism, so many manifestations of emotion that are used as the crux for the soldiers to get through what is clearly a traumatic, terrifying experience. Assembly also has emotion in other ways like in one scene after the war where some miners are using the helmets of fallen soldiers as toilet pots. Upon seeing this, the captain goes into a tirade at them in utter disgust for it is as though the men that wore them and lost their lives counts for nothing. You also see how the lives of the families are impacted and the film ends in a manner that would surely make the eyes water of the most hardened individual.
SPECIAL EFFECTS
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I surmise that I don't need to tell you that the special effects are right up there, and does bear resemblance to Saving Private Ryan inasmuch as that it is extremely realistic, although I believe Assembly to be a touch more graphic in carnage. Yet, for me in some cases the film tries too hard and the shaking of the camera does happen a touch too much. This is not entirely throughout battle scenes though and therefore can be forgiven. Most of the special effects occur in the first half of the film until the pace slows down and concentrates upon the task after the war of redeeming the honour of 09th Company.
SCRIPT, SETS, COSTUMES ETC
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The film is no half hearted attempt and realism is enhanced by having everything working well together, authentic costumes, weapons military vehicles etc. The script is good as far as the subtitles go and naturally is graphic in parts with obscenities and curses which in light of what soldiers endure is likely most apt. I would argue that the film endeavours to be an eye opener and show the not so glorious aspects of war and it does pull it off. The subtitles must be well translated because they do fit very well with the film.
SOUNDTRACK & ACTING
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I know that the stars of the film are seasoned experienced actors and play their roles very well with Assembly being no exception to the rule. It is easy to feed of the emotions of the actors in the film and by the end credits you do feel like you have been on an emotional rollercoaster but that is the purpose so it works. Through solid performances it is easy to empathise with the characters ad be damn glad it is them in these predicaments and not yourself. The film is so powerful and the strengths of the actors just come to the surface. The soundtrack is typically western and would be the type to grace any of the classic westernised war films like Bridge on the River Kwai, and I feel it a shame because in every other sense of the word this film is most certainly Chinese and I feel that formula should have extended to the soundtrack.
WHO WOULD LIKE THIS?
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Most guys, especially fans of films such as Soldiers & Saints or Saving Private Ryan and so on. It is action packed and graphic but very well developed and directed so I feel most men would get some entertainment from it. Fans of foreign cinema should like it and especially those interested in seeing Chinese cinema branching out into new genres. I also think many women would feel compassion but be slightly grossed out by the first half. Yet I think if they hung in there the second half would be where women get their rewards. I would only show this to older children with a good degree of maturity. It is certificated 15 and I would not personally go any younger than this.
Where do I get a copy?
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I bought mine from Asda for £12.78 but it is available from HMV, Play and Amazon and those typical places.
"EVERY SACRIFICE DESERVES TO BE IMMORTALISED"
Thanks to all that read/rate this review, Addy
© June 2008
Summary: true story of a terrible battle, one mans quest to restore the fallen mens honour
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