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Red Cliff
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Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Fengyi Zhang, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu Wai
  • Summary: Red Cliff opens as power hungry Prime Minister-turned-General Cao Cao seeks permission from the Han dynasty Emperor to organize a southward-bound mission designed to crush the two troublesome warlords who stand in his way, Liu Bei and Sun Quan. As the expedition gets underway, Cao Cao's troops rain destruction on Liu Bei's army, forcing him into retreat. Liu Bei's military strategist Zhuge Liang knows that the rebels’ only hope for survival is to form an alliance with rival warlord Sun Quan, and reaches out to Sun Quan’s trusted advisor, war hero Zhou Yu. Vastly outnumbered by Cao Cao’s brutal, fast-approaching army, the warlords band together to mount a heroic campaign – unrivaled in history – that changes the face of China forever. A massive hit in Asia and the most expensive Asian film production of all time, Red Cliff is a breathtaking war epic that marks the triumphant return of John Woo. (Magnolia Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Amy Biancolli
    100
    Anyone who enjoys stylized hyper-violence should be enthralled by this long, sweeping, murderously vivid dramatization of ancient Chinese warfare, circa A.D. 208.
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    90
    The immensity encompasses such variety, subtlety and intimacy that you may find yourself yearning for more.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    60
    Overlong but ambitious, Woo proves he's as good at tactical maneuvers as he is at close-quarters combat.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. LindaC
    10
    Bravo John Woo, cast and crew! War can never be made beautiful, romantic though many government and its leaders try to. However, the experience that human beings can have despite war can be beautiful, romantic; John, cast and crew achieve that in a mesmerizing way.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. TDKinDallas
    6
    Major disappointment after waiting for so long for it to come to Dallas! I still recommend seeing it, but it is really only for people who enjoy HK movies. I was expecting a new type of movie by Woo combining the techniques he learned in the US with his HK style. Another notch up in movie making like when he came to the US. Instead, it is as if he changed to someone else HK style devoid of his usual kinetic energy. There was not one moment in this movie that said "John Woo" has been here to me. For a HK movie it is pretty friggin' incredible and I have to admit that my score, instead of being weighted a little higher because it is a HK movie, is weighted a little lower because of my disappointment in the new Woo. Have a Merry Christmas!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RogerJ
    5
    Over exaggerated martial art. didn't stick to the history as we know from costume to item.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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