Mirror Lake, Barely a Ripple

GameStop, Inc.

by Donavin Sulser

Gaming Editor

The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake is a film out of Hong Kong that follows the history of early 20th century female revolutionary Qiu Jin played by Huang Yi and her journey of women’s rights and freedom from foreign colonialists. The movie begins with a montage of battle scenes reminiscent of the Hong Kong martial arts high flying wire acts.

From the beginning we see the main heroine Qiu Jin captured by the Chinese government and put on trial for her connections with the revolutionary movement, setting up a series of flash backs on her life, leading Qiu Jin to become a revolutionary.

Director, Herman Yau ,a veteran of Hong Kong cinema, shows the movie in the typical, over the top martial arts action sequences with tables splintered by the crack of a sword and the aerial acrobatics that only rivals Cirque Du Soleil. Thankfully, Yau does not destroy the docudrama by entering the realm fantasy. The audience gets a sense of realism in the event of this biographical film of one of China’s pivotal points in history.

Yau uses the Hengdain World Studios to the fullest extent, with lavish sets and authentic period design placing the viewers in in the middle the China’s revolution. He amazingly recycled sets that have been seen in previous films and lightly decorates them in a way as to not be a cheap copy, giving the film its own identity and fluidity.

Yi’s performance as the historical poet and revolutionary Qui Jin works perfectly for the film as she progress though time. Huang Yi shows Qui Jin as a credible person in search for answers, questioning the status of a woman’s place in society and their role in government. Qui Jin deals with many of the ancient Chinese customs such as foot binding, a deformation of her feet, keeping them petite, which was thought to be more attractive in China.

Qui Jin could be thought of as the Joan of Arc of China with her counter culture ways and what then would be considered madness. Yi’s performance is breathtaking as she performs fight sequences with ferocity and range yet settles to a very tranquil and unassuming woman.

Huang Yi as Qiu Jin

The film does have a few flaws to the western eye but what would be considered normal or common place in Hong Kong cinema. The supporting cast are poorly introduced, without having a fully developed back story; dispersed just as quickly as they came on screen or sporadically appearing for one-liners – desiring more of the supporting actors to get a bigger sense of the revolution. What we get is Qui Jin’s point of view but only at a minimum, China’s political climate is never fully examined.

This movie shows the strong points of Chinese cinema but not giving its best and going beyond the boundaries of its confined thinking. While western viewers will love the action sequences they will be lost with the historical significance if they are not attuned to Chinese history. This film still get 3.5 out of 5 as it is an well done picture but not really giving us anything overly exciting to cause after movie discussion.

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse – SID SPEAKS!

"We Demons! Let's go CRUNK on this punk-ass world!"

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...