However, Xu emperor Liu (You Yong) sends his ace strategist Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) to persuade Yu emperor Sun (Chang Chen) to unite against the invading forces.
As Cao Cao’s forces advance along the Yangtze River, the allies set up camp at Red Cliff. Finding themselves helplessly outnumbered, Zhuge and Sun’s viceroy Zhou Yu (Tony Leung) will have to use every ounce of cunning and strategy they possess in order to survive.
Released in two longer parts in China, this 150-minute international version moves along at a cracking pace, to the point where its lengthy running time is hardly noticed.
Once the various pieces are in place, the film becomes a thrilling battle of strategic wits, where victory or defeat can turn on something as seemingly trivial as a change in wind direction.
Woo orchestrates some extraordinary battle sequences, most notably a brilliant turtle formation sequence, a terrific sandstorm chase and a brilliant set-piece where Zhuge comes up with an inspired way of stealing ammunition from the enemy fleet.
The performances are excellent. Kaneshiro is extremely compelling as the seemingly unflappable Zhuge and he has intriguing chemistry with Leung, for which the word bromance wouldn’t be entirely out of place. There’s also strong support from Fenyi (who makes a great villain), Zhao Wei (as a feisty warrior princess) and Chiling Yin as Zhou’s wife, with whom Cao Cao is dangerously obsessed.
