[Trailer removed at producers request. A proper version will be arriving in August.]
When the production of Peter Chan-produced martial arts epic Bodyguards and Assassins was announced I was more than pleased with what I was hearing - huge standing set being created, massive cast of stars anchored by Donnie Yen, etc - but had one major misgiving. They only began shooting this thing in May and were aiming for a December release. That might be a bit too fast, I though at the time and, alas, I'm feeling like the just released trailer pretty much bears that out. I really hope they cut this thing using unfinished footage - which does happen from time to time - because this just does not look nearly good enough. You'll find it below the break.
The production started in mid April actually so it's been quite some time now. They are still shooting and might wrap up next month or so.
As for the teaser, I disagree. I think it's good enough to let us know the overall premise.
I thought the footage itself looked okay. Not earth-shaking, certainly, but not bad either. The music, on the other hand, is a different (and entirely unacceptable) story. I suspect that this is just a teaser banking on the names of the stars rather than an actual trailer.
Looks like solid drama, the kind maybe early 80s TVB did before all the new wave elements kicked in for period dramas (or later stuff like kaneshiro in Hero 1997:P) But it sure could use some stephen chow:P
the movie either looks rubbish or the trailer wasn't just convincing:/
Well maybe there's too much character to introduce compared to a storyline that make each character valuable. Overall the music is great, i like it.
It doesn't look too good but I doubt that this is an "official trailer". They're still using the soundtrack that Peter Ho Sun Chan used in The Warlords and the other trailers featuring the production of the set.
Interesting - lots of bombastic action-orientated music but with no actual action onscreen. Personally I think the production values look on a par with Ip Man.
It's pretty amazing how powerful sound can alter the overall feel of a production. For instance a movie that uses mediocre mics resulting in sound filled with ambient room noise which is just left in and they do not loop in higher quality audio, gives the production, no matter how lavish, a feel of cheapness.
I have a feeling that music library soundtrack is undermining the teaser pretty badly.
Not a bad teaser, obviously waiting for a full trailer with something more juicy.
Great music, it's rather an introduction into character i think.
I mean, it should be an "martial arts epic", but without action?
It simply can not be.
Anyone know the music title used in that trailer??