The film “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame 2010” is a Chinese action mystery film set in ancient China. Detective Dee, an exiled detective, is called back to solve a mysterious case involving spontaneous human combustion. With the help of his allies, Dee uncovers a conspiracy to overthrow the empress and must stop it before it’s too late. The film combines stunning visuals, martial arts action and suspenseful storytelling to create a truly unique experience.
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Review
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is a visually stunning and engaging film that captures the essence of Chinese culture. Directed by Tsui Hark, this movie has everything that one would expect from a historical mystery, right from its intricately woven plot to its spectacular cinematography.
The story revolves around Empress Wu Zetian (played by Carina Lau), who is about to be crowned as the first female emperor in China’s history. However, just days before her coronation, people start spontaneously combusting into flames all across the country. This phenomenon has been named as “the phantom flame,” and it threatens to disrupt the empire’s peace.
Enter Detective Dee (played by Andy Lau), a legendary detective who has been imprisoned for treason years ago by Empress Wu herself. She lets him out of prison so that he can investigate the cause of these mysterious deaths and put an end to them before her coronation takes place.
The storyline is brilliantly crafted with enough twists and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat throughout. The film also possesses a certain grandeur that is characteristic of Chinese cinema, which makes it all the more appealing.
One interesting fact about this movie is that it was partially inspired by true events. In 742 AD, there was indeed an incident where two high-ranking officials spontaneously combusted during Emperor Xuanzong’s reign. Although there are no records of people combusting like this on such a large scale as shown in the film, this adds a layer of authenticity to the plot.
The cast does an impeccable job bringing their characters to life. Andy Lau’s portrayal of Detective Dee is both charismatic and intelligent, while Carina Lau shines as Empress Wu Zetian with her strong presence on screen. It’s worth noting that this movie won Best Actress at Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Horse Awards for Carina Lau’s performance.
The film also boasts some incredible visual effects that make the scenes come alive in front of your eyes. The scenes where people combust are particularly well executed, with the fire effects being as realistic as possible. The score complements the visuals beautifully and is equally mesmerizing.
As far as popularity goes, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame was a commercial success in China, grossing over 500 million yuan (USD 77 million) at the box office. It also received positive reviews from critics and won numerous awards at international film festivals.
The film was shot on location in various parts of China, including Hengdian World Studios, which is one of the largest movie studios in Asia. The set design and costumes are authentic to the Tang Dynasty era, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the film’s overall presentation.
In terms of evaluation, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is definitely one of Tsui Hark’s best works to date. It’s a movie that’s not just entertaining but also informative about Chinese history and culture. The fact that it has won multiple awards speaks volumes about its quality.
There are some minor criticisms, though. Some critics have pointed out that some scenes are too confusing, which may leave viewers scratching their heads. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall viewing experience.
In conclusion, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is a must-watch for anyone who loves historical dramas or mysteries. With its engaging plotline, fantastic cast performances, stunning visuals, and authentic representation of Chinese culture during the Tang Dynasty era – this is a movie that will leave you wanting more.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 123
- Release : 2010-09-18
- Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery
- Cast : Andy Lau as Detective Dee, Li Bingbing as Shangguan Wan’er, Deng Chao as Pei Donglai, Tony Leung Ka-fai as Shatuo, Carina Lau as Empress Wu Zetian
- Crew : Tsui Hark as Director, Tsui Hark as Producer, Kuo-Fu Chen as Writer, Sammo Hung as Action Director, Peter Kam Pau-Tat as Music
- Popularity 16.923
- Budget : $13,000,000
- Revenue : $51,723,285
- Company : Huayi Brothers Pictures, Film Workshop
- Summary : When the future empress Wu Zetian’s two courtiers die in a mysterious fire, she gets Di Renjie, a former detective and rebel, released from prison to solve the mystery of the fire.
- Tagline : The Fate of an Empire Is in His Hands.
