Ye yan (Legend of the Black Scorpion) (The Banquet) poster & wallpaper
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Ziyi Zhang, You Ge, Daniel Wu, Xiaoming Huang, Xun Zhou ... see more see more... , Ma Jingwu , Jingwu Ma

A World Without Thieves director Feng Xiaogang shifts his focus from modern-day con artists to tenth century intrigue with this tale of internal turmoil in the age of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms s... read more read more...tarring Zhang Ziyi, Daniel Wu, and Ge You. Her empire on the verge of a massive revolution as storms begin to brew both within the royal court as well as in the outlying kingdoms, the entrancing Empress Wan (Zhang) gazes upon her stepson, Prince Wu Luan (Wu), with the eyes of a forbidden lover rather than a caring mother. When the emperor dies an unexpected death and his younger brother Li (Ge) ascends to the throne, Empress Wan marries the newly appointed sovereign as a means of both protecting her beloved Wu Luan and cementing her position within the royal court. When assassins dispatched by Emperor Li fail in their attempt to silence Wu Luan and his majesty subsequently announces a lavish banquet, Empress Wan and Wu Luan realize that the time has finally come for them to take action against the murderous despot. The film demonstrates tremendous influence by Shakespearean plays, specifically Hamlet and Macbeth. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

6,553 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 9 min.

Directed by: Xiaogang Feng

Release Date: August 30, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Stats: 694 reviews

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Feng Xiao-Gang Ge You as The Emperor official film still official film still Ye Yan Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Zhou Xun as Qing Nu Zhou Xun as Qing Nu Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Huang Xiaoming as the Marshall's son Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wan Daniel Wu as the Crown Prince Wu Luan Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wan Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wan Zhou Xun as Qing Nu Ye yan (Legend of the Black Scorpion) (The Banquet) Ye Yan Poster
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Flixster Reviews (694)

  • garyX
    November 10, 2010
    garyX
    The crown prince of a 10th century Chinese kingdom is summoned back to court when his father is assassinated and usurped by his uncle. Yet another Crouching Tiger wannabe starring the ubiquitous Zhang Ziyi, The Banquet is in fact a loose adaptation of Hamlet. I must admit to fear... read moreing the worst for the opening half of this film as it seemed to contain many of the same mistakes the very similar Curse Of The Golden Flower made in that it seemed to concentrate far more on overblown and superfluous set pieces and elaborate costumes than its plot and characters. Fortunately once the prince reaches the palace the story gets a kick start and the schemes and machinations of the various factions make for a much more interesting watch. It was nice to see Zhang Ziyi in a meatier role than the innocent porcelain doll she always seems to play and the supporting cast bring presence to their roles although it is often difficult to connect with any of them on an emotional level. It looks glorious, which is pretty much par for the course for this kind of thing and despite some pacing issues with the first half is a pretty decent stab at Oriental Shakespearian tragedy. Much better than the aforementioned Golden Flower, but obviously not in the same league as Kurosawa's forays into Bard territory.
  • skactopus
    June 11, 2009
    skactopus
    Xiaogang Feng creates a loose adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet known as The Banquet.

    The story involves deceit, betrayal, and all the other good stuff in the royal court. It does have a play-like feel to it with a run time of 2 hours and 10 minutes and

    ... read morea pace that is quite slow. Yes, the film does drag at times, however the cinematography, costuming, settings, and acting save this film from total boredom. Besides, the final 30 minutes, which is the banquet scene, is highly intriguing. Hence, The Banquet.

    The action is minimal, and like mostly everything else in this film, very dramatic. Most of the shots are in slow motion and the orchestra type music tones down the bloody encounters. One of the sequences is more of a dance than a fight too. The martial arts choreography is there and it is a shame that a good portion of it isn't seen in real time speed.

    The acting is good, albeit seemingly unemotional at times. Zhang Ziyi keeps the viewer at bay as she keeps switching sides with her actions. Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun, and Ge You round out the rest of the major cast.

    The Banquet is not the most entertaining of films, as it is mostly for people that enjoy theatrical arts. It is worth a check out if time allows.
  • bbcfloridabound
    March 30, 2008
    bbcfloridabound
    Outstanding Movie, A Romeo & Jullet / Hamlet Story in Asian Theme, love the way people just float thur the air when fighting, much better then the ole school Kung Fu Movies (trash Can Lids). Rent or Buy you will not be sorry.
  • Gx7
    November 4, 2007
    Gx7
    This movie is one hell of a masterpiece! Anyone who has a passion for theater arts would surely love this!
    Note: Get a copy with proper subtitles!!
  • kenstachnik
    July 20, 2007
    kenstachnik
    Very pretty...very indulgent...very whatever...
  • aliyanto
    April 3, 2007
    aliyanto
    You can't have everything you wish because you will loose everything if you keep forcing it!
  • Fascade518
    October 30, 2008
    Fascade518
    If you enjoyed movies like:"Curse of the Golden Flower", "Crouching Tiger : Hidden Dragon", you will be ready for this tale based upon the Japanese version of a Shakespearean type of tale. See this for the cinematography as well as the choreography, both were surreal!
  • donnarenee2006
    March 29, 2009
    donnarenee2006
    What a dramatic story! Very beautiful and choreographed movie. I loved the action sequences and stunning scenery. A love story with a tragic ending, it will captivate you. :) Awesome movie.
  • jonnycrumley
    July 23, 2008
    jonnycrumley
    No kung-fu fighting this time from Ziyi Zhang. But theirs still plenty of action and some beautiful cinematography.
  • ileo
    May 3, 2008
    ileo
    An intriguing movie. Zhang Ziyi's most impressive performance ever.
    A must-see!

View All Ye yan (Legend of the Black Scorpion) (The Banquet) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Kirk Honeycutt
September 13, 2006
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

...mesmerizing but often empty...

Derek Elley
September 4, 2006
Derek Elley, Variety

Visually opulent but stately and stygian. Full Review

Saxon Bullock
April 11, 2008
Saxon Bullock, Film4

A production that's both amazing to look at and hard to enjoy, The Banquet contains plenty of visual pleasures, but ties its gloomy story in too many knots to be truly entertaining. Full Review

Rob Daniel
April 11, 2008
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies

Equivalent to attending a massive feast only to discover the main course is missing, The Banquet is frequently stunning, beautifully shot, but ultimately undernourishing. Full Review

Wally Hammond
April 11, 2008
Wally Hammond, Time Out

This dazzlingly designed, mega-budget, period costumer offers further proof of Feng's increasing versatility, expansive vision and bravura technique. Full Review

Urban Cinefile Critics
November 30, 2007
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

For all its visual splendour, The Banquet has none of the pathos or originality of Crouching Tiger, nor does it endear us to its characters through its 140 minute running time Full Review

Graham Killeen
October 4, 2007
Graham Killeen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

This may be one of the year's better films, and some of the rawest Shakespeare you'll ever see. Full Review

Matthew Turner
April 10, 2008
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

Click to read the article Full Review

Cath Clarke
October 18, 2008
Cath Clarke, Guardian [UK]

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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