Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (2008)

I presume most of us knew already about the story around the Three Kingdoms era, but this movie gives us a different view in that time. Be warned though as this review may contain spoilers.

The story begins when the army of Liu Bei were recruiting new soldiers. Zhao Zilong (Zhao Yun in the Dynasty Warriors series) decided to enroll in the recruitment, and he met Luo Pingan, the recruitment officer, of whom he would be brothers with. His brotherhood with Pingan was based on the fact that they were from Changshan. After meeting with Zhuge Liang, who devised a night raid plan to a certain fort (I forgot the name, sorry), both Zilong and Pingan were getting closer because Zilong saved Pingan and chose not to tell anyone about it.

However in the evacuation of Liu Bei’s army to Yellowbird Peak, Pingan who guarded the family of Liu Bei failed and the family fell into Cao Cao’s army. When Pingan reported his failure, Zhang Fei were enraged and almost attacked Pingan, but was blocked by Zilong. Thus the famous battle between Zhang Fei and Guan Yu against Zilong in front of Liu Bei began. After Liu Bei stopped the fight, he assigned Zilong to find and bring the family back. When he reached the wagon, all he could find was Liu Bei’s son, still a baby at the time. He decided to carry the baby (in his armor) and fought battle against many enemy reinforcements (with a very Dynasty Warrior style of fighting), known famously as the Battle of Changban. At the end he confronted Cao Cao and managed to steal his sword and then went away. This event made him a hero in his hometown of Changshan.

After his success, he continued to rise up in ranks until he achieved the title of one of the Five Tiger Generals. At that time, the Kingdom of Shu (Liu Bei’s kingdom) was already established and the expansion of the kingdom had just about to begin. Sadly, four of Five Tiger Generals lost one by one in the move and so does Liu Bei. All that remains was Zilong and the Prime Minister Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang decided to continue the expansion, at Liu Bei’s deathbed wish, and thus giving the responsibility to the sons of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Zilong persisted that he must be included in the mission as well. Before starting the mission, Pingan requested Zilong to take him in his last mission.

At Zhuge Liang’s instruction, the group splitted into two, and somehow Zilong’s army were forced back by Cao Cao’s army, now led by Cao Ying, Cao Cao’s granddaughter, to Yellowbird Peak. Unaware that there was a traitor in the army, Zilong fought back Cao Ying’s army, in both physical battle and mind battle. Despite of his age, he was still sharp and well trained. After he knew that the other group failed the mission, he struggled on the peak’s fort. He had no armies left, and it was only him and Pingan. Pingan later confessed that he betrayed him because he wanted all the glory that Zilong achieved. At any rate, Zilong still forgave him and still accepted him as his brother. Zilong then went to face Cao Ying’s army alone with the sound of war cry made by Pingan.

I must say that the movie was great and it left me stunned after I watched it. For fans of Three Kingdoms or Dynasty Warriors, it is a movie you cannot miss. You get to see the famous Red Hare (even though it was not mentioned at all, but I presume you all know that when Zilong was rescuing Liu Bei’s son, he was riding the Red Hare), and most of the characters in Shu army. Well, if you’re not a fan, it wouldn’t hurt to watch it because it’s a great movie. I’d give 8 out of 10 for it.

Today is the Ascension Day, so it’s a holiday. It’s also the international Labor’s Day. I personally just stayed at home today, trying to find a concept for my second project in Multimedia. What about you? See you in the next post!

jovee~

PS:
Zhao Zilong died of natural cause (ageing) rather than killed in battle as in the movie.