Synopsis:
After a wicked plot to steal a hidden fortune results in the death of two renowned warriors, the map leading to the treasure’s rumored location inexplicably disappears. But when the map is finally located a decade later, the eight assassins from the original plot re-emerge only to be challenged by a mysterious swordsman.
What We Thought:
I’m not sure if The Flying Swordsman is based on any folklore or mythology, but it feels like it is. We’ve seen similar movies before, but the action is solid as is the costuming and set design. Is it something I’d watch again? Maybe not.
It starts out as an action-adventure flick about a bunch of thieves, a treasure map, a box and more. Each character seems to have a surprise talent/skill and there is plenty of action and adventure. But it turns out to be more of a revenge flick and I like that.
If it had stayed just a treasure hunt film it would have been very stereotypical especially for Asian adventure films. There are all kinds of weapons and powers and fighting and that’s fine, but again we’ve seen that plenty of times before. By adding in revenge, you at least give it more depth than just a treasure hunt flick.
Like the dozens of previous similar movies, this has a lot of pros and cons of the genre. Like previously stated, the costuming and set design are good. Each character gets a specific type of weapon with period costuming and hair. Most of it takes place outside in the woods or mountains and the setting adds to that sense of adventure.
The biggest negative is that The Flying Swordsman doesn’t really stand out from every other film in the genre. Fans of period action-adventure will like it, but to me it doesn’t really do anything different despite having a revenge angle. I liked it enough for a watch and can see it getting a sequel or building a franchise, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it again.
The Nerds Templar 