Seven Assassins has been getting a lot of negativity since its release, but I have watched it a few times now and still find it very entertaining.
Sure, I see the negative things going on there, but this is due to director and star Hung Yan Yan not being a solid director, and his random moments of wire-fu action that seems out of place among the rest...
Apart from that, 7 Assassins is a pretty damn good homage to the 60's and 70's golden generation of Hong Kong cinema.
It's big on sets, big on sweeping action, and most of all, big on cast!
In fact, big is the wrong word. Its huge on cast!
Main cast players are producer and comedian Eric Tsang, Hung Yan Yan, Drunken Master 2 star Felix Wong, Gigi Leung, Max Mok, Michael Wong and more. With extended cameos from legends such as Ti Lung, Jason Pai, Chen Kwan Tai, Mars, Dick Wei, Ken Lo, Simon Yam, Kara Hui, Leung Kar Yan, Fung Hak On, Waise Lee, Lawrence Ng and many, many more.
This reason in itself is worth the price of viewing. It reminds of the little seen but amazing 80's classics, The Raid (Sammo Hung, Andy Lau, Anita Mui) and End Of The Road (Tony Leung, Ng Man Tat, Rosamund Kwan).
The big bad guy of this film, who also starred in End Of The Road,is Ray Lui who really pulls off the nasty, kung fu prince that takes no prisoners.
Seven Assassins may not be perfect. The fights, until the fantastic end battle, are more realistic than well choreographed, and yes, there will be moments of those that the use of wires will make you cringe, but don't let that put you off.
A beautiful movie that deserves a bigger audience and is almost epic in its own right.
