1911
Tuesday, 10 April 2012 17:36 | 
Written by Prasanth | 
| 
| 
Starring : Jackie Chan, Winston Chao, Li Bingbing
Director : Zhang Li
Music : Ding Wei
The title of the new English movie '1911' clearly indicates that it is a historical subject. That alone is not enough to create an impression in watching the same. When we came to know that Jackie Chan is there in the lead role, our attitude changes, we are ready to watch the movie. Even though, the Asian superstar is not having big hits in the last decade, we can't forget his contribution, he has given through the action and adventure stories happened in the past.
Going through the trailers of the movie, it is known that the story of the movie is based on the Chinese revolution happened in 1911. The movie got released world wide, during the last year, coming late to our place by few months. The presence of very minimal audience, less than 5% of the total attendance, showed that the people is not deeply passionate in watching the action superstar, who is in his 60's.
The presentation of the movie is more or less like a documentary. Each and every important characters and incidents are 
described in English and Chinese. It is a good thing, but will be having a negative affect on the cinematic feel, to a certain extend. Too much of characters and incidents, accompanied by lengthy description, creates a confusion in following the theme. There is no connection links between the incidents shown here. Some times there is war, on the next scene there is talk between leaders, again war at different location, thus it goes. Only thing we know that the revolutionary army is fighting against the Kingdom, who is having the support of the Europeans. Even the story of hero role done by Jackie Chan is not stable. With a desperate mood, some people left the show at the interval time, I also joined them.
The action scenes and the firing sequences are done well. The art works and the set designs are good. The costumes and the make up departments did their job in a notable way. The scripting and the presentation of the movie lacks professionalism, which in turn affected the whole output.
Before doing a historic subject like '1911', the director Zhang Li and Jackie Chan (who is also the co-director) should have taken guidance from Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, who proved that he is a master in creating historical movies by delivering notable projects like 'Schindler's List', 'Saving Private Ryan', 'War Horse' etc.