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Assembly [2007]


RRP: £17.99
Our Price: £3.90 (subject to change)

Heavily over rated.
Review date: 2008-10-16 Rating: 4 out of 10

I'm afraid my review for this item is incomplete because to be honest after 30 minutes I was totally ditracted. I found myself unable to concentrate or immerse myself in the film. The acting was wooden and the story seemed unable to follow a theme. Perhaps not one for the casual film buff but maybe one for the afficiado instead.

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Reviews


A strange war film
Review date: 2008-10-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

A strange war movie for the theme: Red China versus Nationalist China battles in late '40 after WWII (for the european eye is yet difficult see differences between the two army's soldiers in battlescenes).
A strange war movie for the plot: a first time of blood and guts with same well done action scenes (and same errors in equipment, guns and horrible "Sherman/Pershing" tanks)and a 47 man company (like 47 ronin ?) betrayed and sacrified. A second time of remembrance and respect for the fallen brothers in arms.
A good film if you like a strange movie.

Brilliant - China's Saving Private Ryan
Review date: 2008-10-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film tells the story of a Chinese Communist division, which found itself completely out numbered and surrounded by Chinese Nationalists during the the Chinese civil war. The commanding officer of the Communist's, Captain Gu , is told that his men can only retreat if he hears the bugle "assembly" call in the distance. During the battle, Gu's men tell him they think they have heard the assembly call. However, Gu did not, and thus orders them to stay and fight. As a result, everyone is killed, except Gu, who is recovered barely alive from the battle field after the eventual Communist counter attack.

Following the end of the Chinese civil war, the Communists win, but unable to find the bodies of Gu's men, the division is listed as "missing". This means that their families are not entitled to the generous financial compensation they deserve. Gu swears to prove his men really did fight to the last men, and thus get the recognition they deserve.

The battle scenes are heart stopping, and there is everything for the war film fan. From close quarter urban fighting to fighting a desperate defensive action, the film has it all. One feature of note is the battle gore, which even by the standards of war films is strong. We see limbs flying off, and soldiers bursting as they are hit by artillery shells. Nothing is left to the imagination! In places, it makes the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan look tame.

All in all, this film is definitely one of the best war films I have ever seen. Some viewers may not like the subtitles (the film is entirely in Mandarin) but other than that, it is one every war film will enjoy.

Poetry - be patient with this film
Review date: 2008-09-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

I'm not going to go over the plot of this movie again, it's been reviewed in much detail already. But I was surprised & slightly affected by this movie.

The first half portrays some graphic action sequences; similar to something you've likely seen in Band of Brothers perhaps. Battle sequences are well orchestrated and very cinematic, however, maybe a little less polished than their American equivalents (likely filmed with a tenth the budget).

About half-way through the movie, the tone & pace totally change. It took me a while what this portion of the movie was actually about...... but stick with it and by the ending, you'll consider this portion of the film pure poetry.

This film isn't about the act of war, it's not about the main character finding his lost brothers. This movie is about how an old veteran copes with the fact that his brothers haven't been laid to rest; they are declared just "missing". A beautiful performance by the main actor really portrays his psychological strains and feelings.

The scenery and the way the war(s) were shown from the Chinese side was very interesting... especially Korea. Of course, the scenery and direction was amazing throughout. Sure there are a few convenient plot moments, but it's not about how they were found, just that they were, and his reaction to it.

All-in-all a HIGHLY recommended watch. Just don't expect a combination of Platoon and CSI.


Not a "Nazi" or a "Jap" in sight
Review date: 2008-09-22 Rating: 8 out of 10

At first I thought that this film was going to be a long Chinese propaganda exercise. The film opens with a sequence in which the main character leads his socialist troops in the storming of a town held by nationalist defenders. The socialists are depicted as being extremely brave and resourceful, while the nationalists are pretty stupid and cowardly. During the fighting the political officer is blown apart, resulting in what appears to western eyes as a seriously over the top reaction of shouting, crying and general arm waving. Welcome to the new republic anyone?

But thankfully things calm down from then on and the rest of the film slides gracefully onto the rails towards fairly standard war film destinations. In fact, the film does do some, rather cautious I feel, finger pointing towards the body politic regarding the way the soldiers and their families were treated once power had changed hands. In fact, the story's theme is that of sacrifice and its acknowledgement; with the lead character as the tortured sole survivor of a regiment that is wiped out during a rear-guard operation. They are then "forgotten" during a reorganisation of the armies, leaving all the members of the regiment listed as MIA. Gu, the regiment's captain, believes that it should be known that his men laid down their lives for their country and tries vainly to gain them the recognition they deserve.

Of course, this is pretty standard fair as far as war scenarios go, but it is deftly handled. In dealing with a conflict almost wholly unfamiliar to us here in the West, steeped in a culture almost equally obscure, Assembly comes over as something fresh and new. Combined with some pretty impressive and tense battles this film does its job very well and it was a lot more enjoyable than I thought a Chinese film would be.

However, for those of you who prefer to just look at the pictures rather than read, I should point out that only a Chinese language track is present on the disc and at times the characters talk very quickly. What with the slightly iffy phrases the, evidently Chinese, subtitle writers have come up with, the unfamiliar social references and the speed of delivery of some important pieces of information, I was happy to see this film on DVD first, with the ability to rewind coming in very handy. But personally I think that watching a dubbed version would remove the sense of dislocation that makes this film appear better than it actually is.

Assembly is not a great or a terribly original film, but it IS a good film, made that little bit better because of its origins. Well worth a watch if you like war/action films or if you want to practice your Chinese.

***1/2

Product Details/Specifications


Director(s):

Recording label: Metrodome Distribution
Manufacturer: Metrodome Distribution
EAN: 5055002553769
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-05-05
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 124 minutes
Language: Chinese (Unknown)

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