• Studio: HKFM
  • Release Date: Oct 10, 2008
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Starring: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung
  • Summary: The film is set in five parts, five seasons that are part of the Chinese almanac. The story takes place in the jianghu, the world of the martial arts. Ouyang Feng has lived in the western desert for some years. He left his home in White Camel Mountain when the woman he loved chose to marry his elder brother rather than him. Instead of seeking glory, he ends up as an agent. When people come to him with a wish to eliminate someone who has wronged them, he puts them in touch with a swordsman who can do the job. (Sony Picture Classics) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. 89
    Dreamlike, disjointed, and possessed of a stunningly complex sensual and narrative poetry that may confound audiences not familiar with Chinese director Wong's defining stylistic tropes, Ashes of Time Redux is, simply, one of the most gorgeous films ever made.
  2. "Ashes" is glorious and ultimately wrenching, but it's a tough journey.
  3. Reviewed by: Michelle Orange
    80
    Wittily, earnestly, gorgeously sets up the paradox he has returned to throughout his career--that of romantic memory as both scourge and succor.
  4. Only in its final scenes do the usual WKW themes emerge in full bloom, but purists shouldn't miss it.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 2 out of 3
  1. JeffreyY.
    10
    The best movie from Wong Kar Wai. A highly underrated film and this remake was although I feel unnecessary, it did help give this film a second chance. By no means is this a "martial arts" film like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, or Fearless. It is about unrequited love. It is about life. It is about fear. It is about death. What is life? What is happiness? Sadness? Morever, what are all of these without memory? Is having a good memory good or bad? Is it better to be simple or complicated? What are rules? What should a man's life's purpose be? It is so much and all of these questions, themes, etc weave into the story so well. And to know the backstory behind these characters (fans of Louis Cha's Shooting Eagle or Condor Heroes books), it is an extra plus, but I think this is still a great drama/love story nonetheless. Nothing short of a 10. The cinematography by doyle, the acting from Hong Kong's greatest actors Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, etc.. it marked a turn of an era in Hong Kong film BEFORE all the talent went to hollywood. Amazing amazing soundtrack. Up there with the likes of Braveheart.. so memorable.. dont take my word for it. Go see this movie. I can;t wait for the remastered bluray. Expand
  2. KevinS.
    1
    This film is one of the worst movies I've ever seem. What a waste of time and money. I'm just glad it wasn't longer. I view a lot of movies of all kinds, and keep an open mind, but bad is bad. Expand
  3. JoeyL
    0
    This movie is bad. You know those movies that are so bad, they're actually good? This isn't one of them. This is just bad. Wait, I take that back. It's worse, because it tempts you to keep watching, seducing you with the taunting condescension of "watch me 'cause this is real art... bitch." Sadly it's not art... it's barely f-art. It's so agonizingly slow, confusing and boring that it's like staring at a pretty question mark. I lasted about 50 min before I had to shut it off. I feel like I just held my breath for 2 minutes for putting up with it that long. Expand

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