14 Blades (2010)
Live by your own laws.
- As in most 'historical' kung fu flicks, costume design is awesome.
- Well choreographed fights.
- Solid honor-bound plot.
- The 14 blades weapon storage and usage makes me think a little bit of Attack on Titan - but really has nothing to do with it.
- Focus lies mainly on one character, but subplots also pop in and other characters take mainstage for a little while without ever feeling too clogged up and unfollowable.
- Some of the CG effects aren't the best - passable, yes, but not exactly the best either.
- Some of the slow-mo 'slowdown' parts are real janky, as though it was added after the fact. Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for other slow-mo scenes being fluid and nice.
- Romance subplot is kinda not great. Not going to convince any romance-oriented folks, let alone impress them.
- Starts to feel long at some parts - may be caused by going in for some martial arts action mentality, and getting some slower bonding-moments.
- Subtitles, for those who don't like to read.
Opinion
As always, one of my favorite parts of these movies is the costume designs - anything from pirate-like to generic historical chinese up to Van Helsing meets Attack on Titan. The acting (mostly form body language, since I don't understand anything beyond english) is pretty competent and the action is solidly choreographed. Those wanting a kung fu flick will thoroughly enjoy the action scenes, those wanting a historical (regardless of how true/real) story should enjoy the plot line, and overall worth watching/renting once for those that enjoy films of the type.