In the third century BC, King Ying Zheng (Li Xuejian) is bludgeoning the Chinese empire into shape. Originally a ruthless but well-intentioned man, he gradually tips over the edge into brutality and his disillusioned lover plans an assassinꦑation. But it will only work if she can lure master assassin Jing Ke (Zhang Fengyi) out🐓 of retirement for one last job.
This could have been a snappy 90-minute, chop-socky flick, but Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubin꧃e) has a different agenda. More Shakespearean tragedy than Jackie Chan actioner, it has all the epic stateliness of oper𝓡a - but also much of the distance.
Despi🧸te some bleakly imp♛ressive visuals, it never really comes to life, remaining a feature that's easier to admire than enjoy.
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