Legend of the Black Scorpion | 
| Director: Feng Xiaogang
Actors: Ma Jingwu, Ge You, Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun, Zhang Ziyi
Studio: Dragon Dynasty
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $3.59
You Save: $16.36 (82%)
New (48) Used (23) from $3.59
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 10515
Format: Color, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Mandarin Chinese (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 126 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: 80991
UPC: 796019809917
EAN: 0796019809917
ASIN: B00104AYGK
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
(Action) A cross between Shakespeare s Hamlet and Tarantino s Kill Bill scheming royals and other officials attempt to consolidate power in a empire in chaos. Packed with deadly plots sweeping camerawork and elaborate fight choreography. System Requirements:Run Time: 126 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/CRIME UPC: 796019809917 Manufacturer No: 80991
Amazon.com
Tackling William Shakespeare's Hamlet, director Xiaogang Feng presents a unique take on the bard's famous play with the action drama Legend of the Black Scorpion, which is beautifully filmed and well acted. Ziyi Zhang stars as Empress Wan, a conniving woman whose beauty is equaled by her taste for power. She lustfully longs for her stepson Wu Lan (Daniel Wu). But when the Emperor dies, it is Wu Lan's younger brother who ascends to the throne, setting off a chain of events that are tragic. Though the story is familiar, the presentation is anything but; just as Hamlet captivated readers with its tale of lust, greed, and betrayal, Legend of the Black Scorpion draws viewers in with a story that is both fascinating and repulsive, but shot so beautifully that the eyes are drawn to the screen. Legendary fight choreographer Woo-ping Yuen (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Matrix trilogy) orchestrates some beautifully fierce aerial battles that while no longer novel are still thrilling to watch. We are used to seeing Zhang in the wide-eyed ingenue roles. As the cold-hearted matriarch, she more than proves her abilities as an actress who is ready to move onto meatier roles that aren't driven by her beauty. --Jae-Ha Kim
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 Sometimes aesthetics are enough May 30, 2009
Scott Baboyian (Washington, DC)
There's no point in rehashing the premise/actors/other details of this film, as other reviewers are hitting it. I'll simply make my arguments.
I agree that this film, for all its depiction of treachery and pathos, is cold and cerebral. I agree that the action is also depicted on a very cerebral level: it is so stylized that it is robbed of its intensity--certainly robbed of the visceral aspect that would appeal to those who are looking for an action movie. So I certainly advise against it for those looking for a great martial arts film. Check out "Tai Chi Master" or "Fong Sai Yuk" for that!
What is left after the emotional attachments and thrill of combat are removed? A purely aesthetic masterpiece. This is truly an "art" film: sight and sound combine in moving paintings, symbols, and stylized archetypes.
You will not be drawn in by the story and the characters. You will be drawn in by the crystalline imagery and sound that form an alternate universe in which everything is perfect form, hypnotic motion. Beautiful images are frozen in space and time, haunting music and movement and color supersede all other concerns.
We know Hamlet. We know this story. We know these characters. Here story and character are cyphers. In this film the source Hamlet simply functions as a framework to hang a filmed aesthetic, a transformation of the world into stylized form. Is it enough? Is this all that is necessary to make a great film? Yes. If you are sensitive to it, you will be stunned and enthralled. If you are not, you will be bored.
An interesting take on Hamlet.... May 28, 2009
Ophelia (USA)
This movie is loosely based on the popular Shakespearean play Hamlet, but it's definitely a nice, refreshing twist. I adore Ziyi Zang in all her movies but in this one she actually plays a character I find myself disliking. But it suits the movie well, overall I'm pleased and plan on re-watching it. I will say however that unlike Hamlet, this movie does not have a nicely resolved ending. In fact, there may be many who might either be disappointed or confused by it. I still highly recommend this to fans of foreign films as a must-watch because it's beautifully and artfully filmed, the acting is wonderful, and the cast does an amazing job even if at times they seem stiff.
 House of Flying Daggers "lite" May 25, 2009
L. Cooper (Emerald Coast)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Legend of the Black Scorpion is more about stunning visuals then depth of plot...It has some of the effects/look of "Crouching Tiger" and more of the look of "Flying Daggers" even copying many of the sound effects from that great film,.. but it does not have the ability to express the sentiment or effect the emotions of the viewer similarily regarding ither of those excellent films....I would say its very "pretty", and stylized, but, it certainly is not a great film....but rather a fine looking film...Zhang is always eye candy and does not disappoint in this one, tho she is starting to show her miles and there is a tendency in this film to overexpose her a bit which is probably a result of not having a lot of story for the screen....Overall, the film has some entertaining moments.....id rate it average + for this "type".
Wasnt really worth my money May 15, 2009
T. Perry (NC)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I won't go into great detail because other reviewers have given in great detail the plot and story.
They should totally erase"spectacular fight scenes" from the case.The fight scenes are few and not attention grabbing.Think more "House of flying daggers" and less "crouching Tiger."
As with other films in this genre,the actors are regal,the scenes are beautiful to behold.
The story was a tad hard to follow and it just didn't hold my attention.
When I saw this movie on the shelf I was excited to watch.Im not a hard core Kung fu exthusiest or chinese film guru,but I thoroughly enjoyed the movies mentioned above in addition to good titles like Hero,fearless,fobidden Kingdom etc. and was looking for a movie with the same appeal.
I wouldnt buy it or watch again but others may enjoy.
A beautiful film that stands on its own April 10, 2009
Mischa Li (Palo Alto, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Visually stunning. Impeccable sets, costumes and makeup and wonderfully shot.
While this movie has been labeled as "wuxia" and many viewers seem to have watched it "for the fight scenes," it's not about the fight scenes at all (and there aren't many of them). Actually, a few of them were completely unnecessary and disrupted the flow of the movie (despite how pretty and ballet-like they are). The director probably tacked them on to sell it as a martial arts movie and attract more audiences in the west. So if you're watching the movie for fight scenes, you'll be disappointed.
The Banquet is an interesting mix of western and eastern elements. While the backbone of the plot is undeniably Hamlet/Macbeth, the different parts of the overall story were definitely nothing new in Chinese history. The only tidbit that was blatantly Shakespearean was the performance of "Hamlet's" play portraying his father's murder before the court. The director did emphasize the theatrical quality of the film by employing slow, stilted, somewhat affected speech cadences. Hence some may complain about the under-emoting, which is an effect of trying to establish "a play within a movie."
My gripe with the movie is that certain scenes seemed very out-of-place and contrived. There are also moments when the characters would change moods and behavior quite suddenly.
What I thought was great about this movie (aside from the visuals) was the dialogue. Since the emoting was toned down quite a bit, sometimes you can only glean what the characters really think from the words they are using. The subtle insinuations and suggestions between the Empress and the new Emperor were especially delicious. However, during some of the odd scenes mentioned above, the characters can utter some ridiculously trite sayings.
The film has a good score, and the main theme (the song that the prince brings back with him) is haunting. The thoroughly modern end theme, however, seems a little anachronistic.
Another note about the ending (no spoilers): there's a reason why the director decided to end it the way he did. The people who find it unsatisfying probably don't get the message he's trying to send.
Overall a truly great film. Very beautiful and great lines. Plus Zhang Ziyi and Ge You are spot on in their roles. Be prepared for a long play on film. Do not watch it if you're only interested in martial arts, but stay if you're into political intrigue and soul-twisting effects of desire.
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