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Bichunmoo (2000)

Bichunmoo was one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year 2000. Not only because it was Korea's most expensive feature film production so far, but also because it promised to contain the kind of martial arts sequences long thought to have disappeared from our screens. After many a failed promise on such accounts with recent Hollywood and even Hong Kong productions, the trailer for Bichunmoo left martial arts film fans drooling with anticipation. Things did not die down much after the film's eventual release with it gaining a reputation for being the only film released this year worthy of the hype bestowed upon it.

Ultimately Bichunmoo is a love story, one that without giving away the fine details is bound to leave a tear in the eye of even the most grizzled tough guy action film fan. The film tells a story of failed love and revenge with the two principle characters, Jinha and Sullie, in the centre of it all. Jinha is an orphan brought up by his uncle who has taught him the highly secretive and deadly Bichun swords arts. These are the most coveted martial arts techniques in the land, and many will stop at nothing to learn their secrets. Sullie is the daughter of a great General and his concubine, a fact that will eventually divide and change their lives forever.

Bichunmoo is possibly the first film since Once Upon a Time in china and its ilk to marry totally over the top martial arts sequences with a fantastic storyline. While Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fell slightly flat with its love story, Bichunmoo on the other hand succeeds on a level not seen before in such a genre film. The acting by all concerned is absolutely top of the mark and cannot fail to draw you into the characters various plights. Make no mistake that if you wish to show anyone how a martial arts film can grab you emotionally this is the film to demonstrate it.

The cinematography and set design set the mood perfectly. Vivid colours, framing and editing will make you think you are watching an anime cartoon at times. An extremely emotional musical score backs up the superb acting and visuals. While this particular aspect does not have the production value of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, using synthesised instrumentation as opposed to the great Tan Dun and his cello, it still manages to help bring out the emotion of the acting. Likewise during certain action sequences the music really pumps out and gets you in the mood for the many fights throughout the film. The sound throughout in fact is top notch and if you have a Dolby Digital or a DTS sound system, it will certainly give the speakers and the subwoofer a good work out.

If I was forced to name one drawback to the film it would be that although the fight sequences are very good, they are also quite short. Many of them being over pretty much before they have started. Jinha's assassination attempt on Sullie's father is a good example of this. Although the sequence is extremely cool it leaves one expecting far more. Further, the end confrontation for example is very much like something out of Storm Riders and will leave many disappointed. That said there are many fights throughout the film that and for the most part they are extremely entertaining, a fight on a beach with a fan being one good example. These sequences are very much faster in editing and shooting style than even this fan is used to, but very effective none the less, and certainly a great antidote to the so called fight sequences we have been putting up with for the last six years or so.

What I find a bit unfair is the fact that many reviewers put Bichunmoo into the same category as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The onyl thing these two movies have in common, is that they both deal with swordsfights and love. Apart from that there are so many differences. The cinematography and the music alone make this a totally different film. Wires are used, but not to such an extent as Crouching Tiger has them used. While you have sword fighters flying around in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Bichunmoo only portrays Jinha's warriors to do so in two scenes. Apart from that, no character is able to fly and wires are only used to viualise the high impact of a kick, by having bodies fly a few metres away from it.

Bichunmoo is a must-have for any fan of Wu Xia-films and for those who have desperately been looking for a decent martial arts-film, that does not only deal with accurately choreographed fights, but also deals with the story of a love that is unfortunate and getting furious the further the story evolves. Please be sure to have watched that film.

The best version out there is definitely the Premier Asia release. Please visit my Hong Kong Legends-website to read a review of this great DVD release.

Written on April 24th 2003

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