The Legend of Zu

Infobox Film
name = The Legend of Zu (Zu Warriors)

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caption = The Legend of Zu Poster
director = Tsui Hark
producer = Brian Cox
Anant Singh
Tsui Hark
writer = Lee Man-Choi
Tsui Hark
starring = Ekin Cheng
Sammo Hung
music = Ricky Ho
cinematography = Herman Yau
editing = Marco Mak
distributor = flagicon|Hong Kong China Star Entertainment Group
flagicon|USA Miramax Films
released = flagicon|Hong Kong August 9, 2001
runtime = 104 min.
country = flagicon|Hong Kong Hong Kong
language = Mandarin
Cantonese
budget = $35,000,000 US (est.)
amg_id = 1:266371
imdb_id = 0286098
preceded_by = "Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain"

"The Legend of Zu" (zh-st|s=蜀山传|t=蜀山傳) (also known as "Zu Warriors" in the United States) is a 2001 Hong Kong martial arts film produced and directed by Tsui Hark, and starring Ekin Cheng and Sammo Hung. Zhang Ziyi also has a small role in the film.

Plot

The film is set in a mythical mountain range (known as "Zu") which exists between heaven and earth. The mountains are populated by immortals known as Omei; the powerful Omei are targeted by an immortal named Insomnia, who wants to rule the mountain range and the world below, and Amnesia (also called Onyx in the US dub) (Kelly Lin), a witch who wants to prove herself to Insomnia. The leader of the Omei, White Eyebrows (Sammo Hung), leads the battle to stop Insomnia, along with the warriors King Sky (Ekin Cheng) and Red (Louis Koo).

Cast

* Ekin Cheng as King Sky
* Cecilia Cheung as Dawn/Enigma
* Louis Koo as Red
* Patrick Tam as Thunder
* Kelly Lin as Amnesia
* Zhang Ziyi as Joy
* Sammo Hung as White Eyebrows
* Jacky Wu as Ying/Hollow
* Lan Shun as Master Trascendential

Reception

Box Office

The film grossed HK$10 million in its theatrical release in Hong Kong. [cite web | author=| date= December 31, 2001| title=The Legend of Zu | format=| work=imdb.com | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286098/business]

Distribution

Although Miramax Films bought the rights to distribute it in the US, the film was never released in theaters, despite advertising the US release with movie trailers (which appeared as previews & on the Apple website under Movie Trailers). It was eventually released on DVD on August 19, 2005 under the title of "Zu Warriors".

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. Those who praised the film mostly noted its thrilling action scenes and elaborate, computer-generated sets. [cite web | author=Carr, Kevin | date= September 18, 2001 | title=The Legend of Zu | format=| work=7mpictures.com | url=http://www.7mpictures.com/inside/reviews/zuwarriorsdvd_review.htm | accessdate=2006-06-25]

References