An authentic but derivative war drama
Compared to Saving Private Ryan and Apocalypse Now, the $10 million combat drama Assembly fails to plumb the depths of war and its profound impact on humanity.
Feng's response is that he did not intend to reflect on history or politics, or other grand subjects. What he has done, he said, is present the nobility of the common soldiers.
Feng's protagonist, Gu, is well developed. The opening street combat scene does a good job of unfolding his personality: his boldness, impatience and care of his soldiers.
Compared to him, however, the personality of the other six named characters, except for the timid political instructor, is a bit hazy. Perhaps it is because of the mud and dust covering their faces all the time, it is difficult to tell who is who after half an hour.
Feng revealed there were about 20 films used for the film crew's reference, including Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, Enemy at the Gates and Pearl Harbor. He also invited the special effects team for South Korean war blockbuster Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War, to recreate the battle scenes.
The result is that the muddy, gray and dark blue tones of the opening scenes are reminiscent of Letters from Iwo Jima; while the jittery and de-saturated style makes it look like Tae Guk Gi. The ending at the cemetery of martyrs and the timid political instructor appear to have come from Ryan.
In short, Feng who started as an art designer for film and TV dramas does a brilliant job in creating an authentic and visually stunning battlefield, and the peacetime story is told well. He has successfully conveyed an individual's respect for life and honor, but the film could have gone further and been great rather than just competent.
Assembly was released nationwide yesterday.
(China Daily 12/21/2007 page18)
