User reviews

Wu Ming, internationally known as Hidden Blade, is a Chinese espionage thriller set during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It follows a group of secret agents supporting the Chinese Communist Party while discrediting the collaborative Republic of China regime and slowing down the Empire of Japan in its attempt to control China.

This movie convinces on multiple levels. First of all, this movie presents detailed if obviously opiniated historic and historical events with authentic settings such as accurate clothing, elements of engineering such as cars and trains of that era, fitting locations bringing to life Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai from the thirties to the sixties, popular music of its time and credible espionage techniques. These elements make the movie quite immersive despite the underlying propagandistic tendencies presenting the collaborators as dishonest, the invaders as arrogant and the communists as particularly courageous. The actual truth is obviously a lot less glorious for all parties involved.

Up next, the plot of this film is very clever and requests much attention to be fully understood without being overtly challenging in my book. There are quite a few characters with hidden agendas, several cliffhangers that are being picked up at later moments and a clever use of flashbacks and flashforwards. This intellectual storytelling is a brave but successful attempt at breaking with conventional and predictable scriptwriting to get intellectual and intelligent viewers mentally involved.

Speaking of the characters, all of them have much depth, including the heroines and heroes working under the most difficult circumstances, ambitious collaborators trying to achieve successful careers and the invaders trying to outwit their enemies with complex plans to bring their home country glory and respect. Even though these three groups have widely different perspectives of reality, they are all united by their dedication, intellect and resilience. These elements make the numerous confrontations throughout the movie so authentic, tense and unpredictable.

The intellectual storytelling is at times combined with some moments of action and drama. The former occurs during assassination attempts, car chases or shootouts. The latter take place during deep discussions about family, fate and friendship, intense interrogations leading up to scenes involving torture and murder and the film's numerous twists when the different characters' true intentions are revealed step by step.

Despite its intellectual strength, this movie's most memorable scene aside from the closing scene that answers the last remaining questions in a satisfactory manner is however the lengthy shootout at an apartment complex that showcases how every character involved makes enormous sacrifices to fight for ideals.

This movie isn't without its flaws however. The underlying element of propaganda has already been mentioned before and makes the movie less credible than it actually could have been. Up next, the movie has several lengths in its middle section with long conversations interrupted by at times rather confusing changes in place and time. While the movie's intellectual side is overall a welcome addition, this element is at times overdone and ends up harming the film's overall flow. Most viewers will get used to this unusual pace and style after a while but the movie might only be fully appreciated and understood upon watching it for a second time. Viewers are certainly expected to bring a lot of intellectual flexibility, background knowledge and stoic patience to the table to fully embrace this film. If you are looking for a smooth movie that entertains but doesn't request active intellectual participation, then this film is going to be a challenge and might even become a burden for you.

At the end of the day, I would recommend Hidden Blade to cinephiles interested in Chinese culture, historic dramas and conspiracy thrillers. Quite a few movies have recently been made about events occurring during the.so-called War of Resistance. Hidden Blade stands out as the most intellectual film of this selection but not as the overall most satisfying viewing experience which might rather go to Ba Bai, The Eight Hundred, released three years earlier.

Espionage is widely regarded as a game of cat and mouse, and nowhere was that more apparent than in China during World War II, where a clandestine network of spies fought against their Japanese occupiers through meticulously executed acts of deception and false loyalty. At the same time, there were also competing, carefully concealed factions within their ranks quietly battling one another, relying on the same kinds of tactics used against their mutual enemies, for who would control the country during the post-war era, pitting Chinese nationalists against the rising tide of Communism. That tangled web of moves and counter-moves is effectively brought to life in writer-director Er Cheng's fourth feature outing, a film that seamlessly combines works drawn from the historical drama, action-adventure, thriller and arthouse genres, quite an accomplishment for such widely diverse materials. The picture's fine period piece production values, excellent ensemble cast (especially protagonists Tony Leung and Yibo Wang), atmospheric cinematography and superb special effects blend well to tell an engaging, visually tantalizing tale that gets better and better the further one gets into the story. Admittedly, the filmmaker's less-than-veiled political symbolism, which obviously is meant to bolster Chinese propagandist sentiments, can be seen as somewhat over the top at times. Moreover, the director's assumptions regarding audience foreknowledge of mid-20th Century Chinese history can occasionally leave viewers somewhat baffled and frustrated (though one should bear in mind that this was made for a Chinese audience). What's more, the picture's out-of-sequence storytelling can be a little frustrating (especially in the first hour), though, thanks to the film's inspired editing, the narrative cleverly circles back to its origins as the movie goes on, making up for what some may see as a shortcoming. However, these considerations aside, "Hidden Blade" is a surprising little gem, one that, hopefully, won't get lost in a sea of lesser releases or pictures that capture undeserved praise.

Upfront, I am astounded by the dichromatic visual aesthetics, the painstaking production design, and the drearily solemn atmosphere, which swiftly institutes a suspenseful mood. The lingering tension continues to build as seemingly irrelevant narratives, discourses, and incidents begin to unfold, intersect, and repeat, embroidering a convoluted story with the aid of purposefully fragmented editing. However, lacking both historical contextualization and relational clarification, the movie demands much heed, deduction, and prior knowledge from its audience to fully comprehend and rationalize the plot. And yet, if you do manage to wade through the mist, you will find the tale hither and thither illogical, or flawed, for instance the riveting hallway brawl moderately contradicts the final revelation. Speaking of which, the prolix denouement marginally punctures the perfectly constructed angst in the first act, limiting blankness of interpretation. Overall, sublime performances, stylistic presentation, and undoubtedly a film I recommend.

Watched this movie twice already and Oh! What a wonderful cinema it is! Definitely a good turn in Chinese Cinema!

Obviously Tony Leung's acting was superb, and Wang Yi Bo did exceptionally well too. I think he did a really good job (especially the way he clench his jaw !) at protraying different emotions, and even though some scenes the acting was a bit awkward, the director also made a good job to "hide" it. Huang Lei and Zhou Xun were also great. The cinematography was also beautiful. Most of the scenes were really pretty and consisted of shades of yellow and blue, while some scenes were only composed of green. I also really liked that some scenes were like a mirror of each other, and the flash backs throughout the movie.

No shortage of reviews here that attest to some of the superb features of this long and intricate movie. The dark period piece scenes, lighting, sets and costumes are plentiful and inventive. The camera work dwells on all of this, missing no detail, and gives ample time to drink it in - a rare treat these days. The cast is all-star, and turn in wonderful performances.

But: The plot and filmic presentation relies too much on flashbacks, that overly intrude into the forward cohesion and progress of the narrative. Its as if a Le Carre novel just got over confident with the intricacies of its construction, and simply kept spinning flashbacks hither and yon, in all the various sub plots. As if a China torn between warlords, the Guomindang Nationalists, the Communists, the Japanese and the Japanese pupped governments were insufficiently confusing.

One doubts that Chinese audiences would be significantly less confused by all this than Western audiences. There is a certain Russian novel quality to all this - you need the two pages listing the characters. And who they work for, or pretend to work for.

At a certain point, the urge to forget the plot and just enjoy the acting and visuals becomes irresistable.

If the film.

What can I say? I really wanted to like this movie. It has an interesting topic but the minute the runtime was over I already forgot what I was looking at.

Agreed, it is difficult for Chinese producers to get their movies pass Chinese sensorship without becoming too regulated or boring, and they really tried their best. Perhaps they thought one way to do it is leaving out the text, accentuating on the costumes, mood, look and feel like we're just looking at one long fashion commercial.

There's nothing wrong with that but Hidden Blade pushes it too far to the point of becoming artyfarty. I won't spoil the plot but I can tell you that this movie is a depressive tale with dark camerawork, a waste of good actors and a script that has no other message than that there are patriots hidden everywhere willing to die for communism.

Three points for styling.

Director Cheng Er has corralled the large swathes of genius he exhibited in Lethal Hostage and The Wasted Times and painted a stunning movie that may be his masterpiece. His script and meticulous editing combine to present a gorgeous puzzle that is never too difficult to solve and unwinds in a clever way that leaves the audience feeling rewarded and satisfied. A mysterious set up leads to a nearly rapturous payoff, with nary a misstep along the way for movie viewers who pay attention.

Cheng Er couldn't have achieved such success without skilled players. Tony Leung and Zhou Xun give expected, empathetic performances. The movie feels solid and secure in their hands. But the heart of Hidden Blade actually rests on the shoulders of a young newcomer actor, Wang Yibo. Wang's performance is the definition of a brilliant debut. His character's ambiguous position--is he a villain or not?--is played subtley yet powerfully. It's not an exaggeration to state that the success of the story--and the movie as a whole--relies on Wang being able to carry such a complicated role. Fortunately he doesn't falter, leading the movie goer through a second half that leaves audiences breathless, stunned, and in awe.

Hidden Blade walks a fine line between fine art and commercial appeal. Though arguments can be made whether it leans one way or the other, the end result is a movie that leaves the viewer with the enviable feeling of having watched something wonderful and needing to know how much better it can be with repeat viewings. Regardless of final box office, Hidden Blade is a triumph for both Cheng Er and his talented cast.

Hidden Blade is set in Shanghai in an era where it was all chaos Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and it chronicles China's growth under the Communist Party's leadership Under the director Cheng er lens the movie is a visual treat every frame is soo beautiful so symmetrical and the use of light is brilliant with soft hues and dark and yellow The cast is so well chosen every actor fits the characters so well we have The Tony Leung here as the main character and no need to say how great he is then there is ever beautiful and very talented Zhou xun get role is small but impactful but who impressed me the most is new actor WangYibo he had the most complex character in the movie and he completed it amazingly It's a great cinematic experience I recommend it👏👏

Surprisingly great! So many reversals and details which really need to range to see second time.

Actor Mr. Liang and actress Mrs. Zhou were acting as great as usual. The new film star Mr. Yibo performed unexpected awesome.

Director Mr. Cheng, unique narrative mode, inverted interpolation skill, strong individual style, and color application, which showing too many surprises for the audience.

Inside of story, it contains fight, belief, constrain, and insist, you could fully enjoy the charming of spy game and suspense experience.

Thanks for the wonderful performance for very actors and actress, and awesome technique for director and whole production team.

The cast is very attractive. The film is a non-linear narrative method that Director Cheng Er is good at. You can understand it if you immerse yourself in it.

The first half is mainly about the role of Mr. He. Tony is still so handsome. He uses his original voice, including Mandarin and Cantonese. The original lines are great!

The second part mainly talks about the role of Mr. Ye played by Wang Yibo. There is an action play by a single shot which is so wonderful. In the film, there are many scenes of personal performance. He plays very well and can feel the emotions of the character. He has a lot of Japanese dialogue in the film, all of which are learned and performed at shooting site. It is amazing that his language talent and learning ability.

Women's roles are not many, but they are all amazing. Zhou Xun, as the director said, "every pore can play". Jiang Shuying impressed me deeply and is quite memorable. I think the director is good at telling women's roles in troubled times.

The film tells the story of Anti-Japanese War in China. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Central Special Action Section of the CPC contend with Chongqing, Wang Jingwei's Puppet Regime and Japanese spy agencies in Shanghai. Through the complex information system behind the enemy, it plotted against the enemy, obtained information, and killed the traitors. The underground agents risked their lives to send information, and established a broader united front, until the eve of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and defended the motherland with their lives. The whole process was extremely exciting, with compact plot, beautiful scenes, exquisite props, and immersive performances. The narrative form of interlude plays up the tense plot. The seemingly unrelated scenes have a continuous relationship. When you put these information together, you will find that the story is extremely wonderful and memorable.

The content of this film is very substantial and can be described as vivid. Every scene in the movie has his profound meaning. Every detail you see, every small object in every scene will provide ideas for the continuation of the story, and it is also the key point to connect the whole story. Well worth people to see and think about, from this movie will reflect some The view of life and the world outlook. Every actor's acting skills are online, and every detail is very accurate. In particular, it is very enjoyable to watch the drama. When every actor is trying his best to finish it, the scene looks immersive.

HiddenBlade is Noir film, artistic film!!!!

Cinematography of Hidden Blade is amazing perfect and beautiful!! There have plot-twist. 🎥🎥

Acting of Tony Leung and Zhou Xun is so worth to watch. Young Actor Wang Yibo's acting is still get along with Tony Leung, more than expectations!!

Great job Actor Yibo!!

Some people who gave 1 star or. 2 star to film is obviously gave by anti because of they hate Yibo a lot.

Even though anti hate yibo a lot, they should know and Google first who is director Cheng Er.

Cheng Er's Level is not cheap !!!

Those anti personally and obviously attack to yibo without watching Movie!!!

I accept some people may not like Cheng Er's style but this is not bad film!!

The plot, performances, sets, everything is top notch in Hidden Blade.

Ready to become a cult movie.

It has been the surprise of this new year. With such brighten actors as Mr. Tony Leung, Xun Zhou, Erick Wang, and breakthrough movie actor Wang Yibo, it has undoubtedly given the best composition to renowned Director Cheng-Er.

The atmosphere achieved is also remarkable, the settings are exceptional and the costume design is very detailed.

The way of telling the story and that each viewer gets involved and makes their own ideas also contributes to getting involved in the plot

If you get the chance, go see it, you won't regret it.

This movies basically has everything I want - a true historic background and true subject prototypes, a delicate way of feeding the story line and a clever weaving of clues, suspenses, and fabulous action scenes. Marvelous camerawork that is worth every penny! Tony's acting is on point as always. The newbie actor Wang Yibo is the biggest surprise of this movie (in a pleasant way of course) and anchored all the important scenes. The other actors and actresses all did a great job delivering such a master piece. Much salute to the Director !!! So if you like stories about the Asian war field during WWII and spy themes, this is definitely the one to watch this year!

The director demonstrated his unique style which is very charming in terms of the photographing, the lighting and shadowing, the story- telling, the structure. His works always have strong personal taste, which is of very high level of artistic quality. The actors and actresses are all well perceived at China today. Tony Leung for sure is performing extremely well. But the biggest surprise comes from Yibo Wong, the top star and Idol of China today. Obviously he had put all his efforts to match his counterpart, Tony. And he made it! His every move, every look, every emotion are all under good control and are all perfectly matching the character. He worked so hard . Even when he has no shooting, he still stay aside to watch, to observe and to learn. He is a language genius. He learnt so well Japanese and Shanghai dialect at the shooting place, esp. When the director always change lines. His hard working, his dedication, his commitment, his genius are all shining and charming. While he is only 25. He is out of question a future movie star.

Looking at the whole film, it is a grand visual feast, a rich and colorful picture, but there is a literary style between light and shadow, a wonderful aesthetics of violence, Cantonese, Shanghai, Mandarin and Japanese lines alternating, the plot is wonderful, and there is no waste scene.

Cheng Er is a director with a very unique style and charm. The narrative of this film is not carried out in a straight line, but in the way of staggered time narrative. The film is highly storytelling, with hidden foreshadows in inconspicuous details. The viewing process is like playing a jigsaw puzzle. At the beginning, it is a little confused, and can not help but press down the impetuous heart to collect and sort out the plot, After the successful splicing, there is a sense of surprise and excitement in the mind of straight line clearance of the game.

This feeling greatly stimulated my curiosity about the plot of the whole film. I stared at the screen with my eyes wide open, afraid of missing an expression on the actor's face, afraid that even missing a scene prop would miss the key to unlock the mystery, and enjoyed every minute of the brain burning process. After watching the film, I also had various in-depth discussions with friends who had seen it, and wanted to watch it again, which can be said to be full of stamina.

Although none of the characters in the whole film of Anonymous has a complete name, I have a name in my heart!!! Highly recommended!!

Welcome to the movie theater to watch "Hidden Blade". What you see with your own eyes is the most real. Hidden Blade is definitely worth it. The plot is good, basically the whole process is high-burning, the picture is beautiful, and it is more visually amazing. Let me mention that the fighting scenes in it are very explosive! Wang Yibo's acting skills are really impressive! A good movie is worth watching several times! Really wonderful! Really nice. I fully recommend you to watch Hidden Blade. I have to say that director Cheng Er's casting vision is quite sharp, steady and precise. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Hidden Blade deserves the big box office.

Based on the original style of director Cheng Er, Nameless enhances the drama, popularity and commerciality. The sense of crisis and suspense comprehensively surpasses the previous "romance", with a larger narrative theme. It is also a new attempt by the director to break through himself and genre films. Cheng Er said that in his previous works, the age level of actors is actually too big, rarely contact with such young actors. In choosing younger actors, Cheng Er is also making a change.

Cheng Er is undoubtedly brave and willful, daring to challenge audiences' tastes in such a fast food era, rather than compromise to make "pleasing" works.

The older you get, the more disgusted you are with popcorn movies. This kind of movie has texture, micro to macro aesthetics, and the key is depth. Please cherish, in the cinema can also see "Nameless" such a style, tone of the film.

Almost everyone who have watched this movie especially the passerby and none fans were raving about it and saying it is worth beiging over a second, third and more because the details are so beautiful and carefully crafted in that every time you watch it, it's like your first.

It is indeed a literally and artistic movies encased in commercial scenery. The quality is so tasteful and worth sharing on global platforms. Congratulations to the Hidden Blade team for their hard work and respect for the art.

Please relax and go on a journey of weaving a beautiful movie like a delicate fabric to ruminate on.

This is a film with depth that not everyone understands or notices all the details when they watch the first time. The most interesting part of this film is that every time you watch, you find out a little more details and clues that are 'hidden', and when you do, everything makes so much more sense. Very impressed by director Cheng Er's cinematography as always, but also very impressed by Yibo's acting. Can't believe he is new to the film industry; his fighting scenes, the emotions, and the ability to learn and act in other languages in a very short time are just impressive. The music in the film is also good...I would recommend going to a theater and give it a couple tries if you like films that make you think!!