Wuxia films tend to occupy a special spot in the hearts of many film enthusiasts, given how quintessentially charming and entertaining they are.
After all, the genre – traditionally concerning the adventures of sword-wielding chivalrous heroes – is famed for its cheesy and campy practical effects. Think white puffs of theatrical smoke, actors flying around on wires, and duels with floppy weapons.
Most of the early films were quite aware of their silliness but took it in their stride and made it part of their identity. As such, to this day, old wuxia flicks remain engaging, with audiences still captivated by the fantastical, thrilling sequences.
Alas, no number of sword fights or duels can save a movie with poor pacing and lacklustre characters, as proven by the recent release, “Sakra”.
Directed by international action star Donnie Yen – yes, “Ip Man” himself – the film is an adaptation of a popular 1960s novel.
Qiao Feng, played by Yen, is the leader of the Beggars’ Gang, a martial arts group in Song Dynasty China, and a folk hero to the common people.
Found abandoned on a peasant couple’s doorstep, he grew up to be a capable warrior who led the gang to victory in battles against the invading Khitan northerners.
Despite his popularity, Qiao finds himself isolated by his previously loyal comrades when he is falsely accused of several murders.
Additionally, his ethnicity is called into question, with accusations that he is not an ethnic Chinese but rather a Khitan invader.
With former allies now against him and few friends to turn to, Qiao embarks on a quest to clear his name and uncover the truth about his origins.
Now, if you come in expecting nothing but exhilarating fight scenes with Yen kicking the snot out of a dozen men in one swoop, you will get what you’re looking for.
The action set pieces in “Sakra” are impressive, and the movie’s recreation of medieval China is gorgeous enough to merit exploring.
Yen is, unsurprisingly, the star of the show, and the film is at its best when it centres around him during these many fight sequences. Plus, in keeping in line with its wuxia origins, there are characters leaping incredulous distances across rooftops – always a sight to behold.
Apart from these, however, this movie leaves much to be desired. Adaptations of novels have to take extra care to ensure audiences need not have read the books to understand the plot, and in this regard, “Sakra” flounders.
New characters are often introduced with little explanation as to who they are or how they tie into things. It would have helped if they had some depth to them, but instead, each new player is as flat as cardboard.
The rule of “show, don’t tell” comes to mind. For instance, why tell viewers how close the relationship between Qiao and his shaolin master is if you can’t show it?
The audience is introduced to Qiao’s gang of merry men early on in the film, yet little is shown of the comradery that should exist between them. As such, when they turn against him, there is very little emotional effect despite how impactful such a betrayal would be.
And in spite of its two-hour-plus runtime, “Sakra” seems to be in a rush to get to the ending, failing to take things slow when it should. As a result, too little time is given to the audience to absorb the events and make sense of the characters and plot points.
Most jarring is the romantic relationship between Qiao and A Zhu (Chen Yuqi), an injured servant girl whose life he saves repeatedly. Despite barely having time to communicate and interact with each other, the audience is expected to believe these two are star-crossed lovers. Aduhai.
It is not a good sign when another recent release, centred around a feline in footwear, has a more believable and charming idea of romance than “Sakra” does!
‘Sakra’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.
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