An Empress and the Warriors (2008)
An Empress and the Warriors (2008) 4/10
Empress and the Warriors makes a critical mistake in casting Kelly Lin in the lead role. A bland, unremarkable actress, her performance in past films has often been unimpressive, often playing the obligatory flower vase role. Why the director chose to cast her as the main character in a role better suited to the likes of Zhang Ziyi or Zhou Xun eludes me. This flaw is magnified by a lacklustre script and absolutely no chemistry between the leads. Leon Lai and Donnie Yen fare better, but only slightly. Leon has made far better films and he seems to be slumming here, while Yen’s pugilistic skills is probably the only saving grace of the film. Overall, the film is a weak entry and even fans of Donnie Yen should stay away.
