Metrodome UK DVD Synopsis: Combining momentous battle scenes with stunning combat choreography and a stirring story of the fight for freedom, PAINTED SKIN is a searingly powerful martial arts epic already being hailed as a modern classic. In the turbulent days between the Qin and Han Dynasties a dark, tyrannical presence rules the land, sea and air of a once beautiful realm. As the evil forces press further into the lives of the people it falls to an ex-general (Donnie Yen – Ip Man, Hero, Blade 2) to reclaim the mantle of battle and begin a bloodthirsty war that will decide the fate of the world. Facing the mightiest foe ever the have walked the earth he must test his strength, courage and honour in one of the greatest battles ever fought by man. (118 Mins)

​

Views: Produced and directed by Gordon Chan, this 21st-century adaptation of the famed Painted Skin story, albeit with a much different take than those which came before. While it may have received mixed reviews upon release, I actually like this take of the story – which proves to be a hell of a lot more interesting and exciting than the 1993 King Hu directed version! After they invade the camp of some barbarians, general Wang Sheng rescues Xiao Wei – an orphaned young woman who instantly catches his eye. But once they return home, Wang Sheng's wife – Pei Rong – starts to suspect that Xiao Wei may be a demon, and soon finds herself right when she learns that she is actually a fox spirit, as well as the competition for her husbands love. Pei Rong sets out to find help from ex-general Pang Yong – Wang's old boss and rival for Pei Rong's love. Together, with an amateur ghostbuster by his side, the team set out to catch Xiao Wei and her demon servant to stop the killings in the town, all in the name of love!

​

Although he has been in the business for a good few decades now, Gordon Chan has always been a hit-and-miss kind of director for me. The man has been behind some great films such as Fight Back To School 1 & 2 (1991/92), King Of Beggars (1992), Thunderbolt (1995), Fist Of Legend (1994), Beast Cops (1998), 2000 A.D. (2000), and the underrated comic-book trilogy, The Four (2012) - he has still made plenty of films that didn't really do it for me. And while his Painted Skin may not be perfect, it still proves to be quite an entertaining piece overall. Beautifully shot by DOP Arthur Wong, the visuals help keep the film above average with some great shots over the course of its (almost) 2-hour running time. While he has played many roles in the Hong Kong film world over the years, as an actor, producer, and even as the director of a few flicks including In The Line Of Duty 3: Force of the Dragon (1988), Wong has been behind the lens of many classic titles such as Eastern Condors (1987), Miracles (1989), Armour of God 2: Operation Condor (1991), Moon Warriors (1992), The Warlords (2007), Chan's very own 2000 A.D. (2000) - and the sequel to this, Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection in 2012. In fact, well over 100 movies from the late 1970s! Arthur is joined by Ally Wong, an actor and cinematographer who has also directed over 20 movies himself (many low budget), as well as working behind the lens of many great titles such as Donnie Yen's Legend Of The Wolf (1997) and Ballistic Kiss (1998), Dreaming The Reality (1991), Angel Terminators 2 (1993), Avenging Quartet (1993), Happy Together (1997), and many more. The beautiful score is handled by first-time composer Fujiwara Ikuro who has only since worked on Gordon Chan's Mural, and The Lost Bladesman with Donnie Yen – both in 2011.

​

While the action is a bit more frequent than King Hu's film of the same name, it still probably doesn't happen enough for Donnie Yen fans or those who are hoping for a kung-fu epic. The great Stephen Tung Wai is the man behind the choreography, but this time delivers some seemingly average action scenes that, while not terrible by any means, just don't ever get too exciting for the skills of the cast involved. Although the amazing Donnie Yen has been splashed all over the artwork and is the big name of the film, I'd say its actually Chen Kun who leads the way in Painted Skin. Of course, he returns for the sequel as a different character altogether but here, the underrated Chen does a great job as general Wang Sheng - the man caught between two beautiful women. Donnie gets to loosen up somewhat as Pang Yong, starting off as the stern kick-ass general before returning to town as a carefree warrior with both leading men get to take part in the action of course, which is always a treat to watch, with their main competitor being a lizard spirit played by Qi Yu Wu in only his third role. Qi would follow this by starring alongside Donnie once again in the awesome Daniel Lee film, 14 Blades (2010). While she would have had a busy year starring in the brilliant Red Cliff 1 & 2 (2009) for John Woo, Vicki Zhao Wei found time to star in Painted Skin as Pei Rong, general Wang's wife. I'm a huge fan of Zhao Wei and think she's an amazing actress, so it was great to see her come back again for Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection (2012) as well as also star alongside Donnie Yen once again in 14 Blades soon after. Zhou Xun is just as fantastic as the fox spirit Xiao Wei, devourer of men's hearts and the woman who comes between general Wang and his wife. This was the first film I had ever seen Zhou Xun in before catching her in the brilliant True Legend (2010), Confucius (2010), Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate (2011), The Great Magician (2012), and once again in the sequel to this. And last, but not least, the great Betty Sun Li stars as demon slayer Xia Bing in what would only be her 3rd role after Brother Tree and Jet Li's Fearless (2006). Betty would go on to star alongside Yen once again in the aforementioned (and underrated) film, The Lost Bladesman and work for Chan once again in Mural...

​

Overall: Beautifully filmed and well-acted, Gordon Chan's Painted Skin is a decent romantic drama with enough supernatural action to keep things moving!