Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Children of Huang Shi


Inspired in the story of George Hogg that in real life seems to have had quite an interesting life and experience in China, but in the movie I feel the story becomes bland and at times not that interesting.

Starring two of the most popular Chinese actors Yun-Fat Chow and Michelle Yeoh we could think that they are leading characters along with Johathan Rhys Meyers that plays George Hogg, but unfortunately their characters are secondary and I believe both the characters and the casting was done to attract viewers, as their roles are really brief and totally supporting. I also believe that Rhys Meyers was a bad choice in the casting as he is not believable at all. Then it is truly a shame that they had to include a love interest to the main character as Lee Pearson (Radha Mitchell) is the most unbelievable character in the whole story, even when she was based on a real nurse Katheleen Hall from New Zealand.

Anyway the movie is entertaining at times and tells about Hogg saving a large group of orphaned children during the Japanese occupation of China. There is an article that talks a little about the real life of George Hogg that I find more interesting that the movie story, so if you want to check it go here.

The only thing I enjoyed in this movie is in the last minutes of the film when they reach the Yellow River and the landscapes are beautiful with an okay cinematography. If you feel like you have to see this movie, I suggest you wait for the DVD.

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