I think if you do not try to picture yourself in their shoes or situation, you will not enjoy this movie. Just two main thing to worry about when watching are the special effects and hard time connecting with the characters and understand them.
shitty special effects: I can agree that the special effects were not so great, but it was manageable since most of the special effects took place in the first 15 or so minutes in the movie (They were probably trying to make it all 'cool' looking with the special effects to get people's attention, but failed horribly).
Barely able to connect with characters: I read other comments, saying that it was hard to connect to characters and feel for them, but if you really pay close attention to the movie and the small details during dialects and when they take a break from all the action, you can see glimpses and the little things that can be connectable with. They didn't really introduce the characters well, but when the characters are shown alone, you can see what type of person they are, most of them were really sweet and thoughtful deep down inside(besides the part where they lost it). You can also see some huge character development within some of the characters that makes it easier for you to understand and connect with the characters more.
some overly dramatic scenes: They cry so often, which can get annoying, but in their situation, it is reasonable. I also have to admit that some characters may have been really overly emotional during death scenes and some scenes were too dramatic at some point (especially the first death since we barely even got a chance to get to know the character who died). I mean, I pretty much sat there laughing at the reaction and death scene. But when I think about it, I think it was a big thing and really significant because it showed how close the characters were. They're practically brothers and very close to one another so of course they're going to overreact during a death. I just think the producers/director, whatever, just used the wrong death scene to be so dramatic over.
Overall, I think it was a great movie. This movie was not just about fighting and killing, but about brotherhood and trying to find peace. Lovely scenery, a beautiful yet sadden history about the ruthlessness of the Qing dynasty. How terrible the westerns have influenced China. And at the end, his speech gives you a new view about life, and I think that it was very inspirational and moving. It was a good moral. I wouldn't say it was the best movie I have ever seen, but it was worth the watch because it was more than just about all the action.
shitty special effects: I can agree that the special effects were not so great, but it was manageable since most of the special effects took place in the first 15 or so minutes in the movie (They were probably trying to make it all 'cool' looking with the special effects to get people's attention, but failed horribly).
Barely able to connect with characters: I read other comments, saying that it was hard to connect to characters and feel for them, but if you really pay close attention to the movie and the small details during dialects and when they take a break from all the action, you can see glimpses and the little things that can be connectable with. They didn't really introduce the characters well, but when the characters are shown alone, you can see what type of person they are, most of them were really sweet and thoughtful deep down inside(besides the part where they lost it). You can also see some huge character development within some of the characters that makes it easier for you to understand and connect with the characters more.
some overly dramatic scenes: They cry so often, which can get annoying, but in their situation, it is reasonable. I also have to admit that some characters may have been really overly emotional during death scenes and some scenes were too dramatic at some point (especially the first death since we barely even got a chance to get to know the character who died). I mean, I pretty much sat there laughing at the reaction and death scene. But when I think about it, I think it was a big thing and really significant because it showed how close the characters were. They're practically brothers and very close to one another so of course they're going to overreact during a death. I just think the producers/director, whatever, just used the wrong death scene to be so dramatic over.
Overall, I think it was a great movie. This movie was not just about fighting and killing, but about brotherhood and trying to find peace. Lovely scenery, a beautiful yet sadden history about the ruthlessness of the Qing dynasty. How terrible the westerns have influenced China. And at the end, his speech gives you a new view about life, and I think that it was very inspirational and moving. It was a good moral. I wouldn't say it was the best movie I have ever seen, but it was worth the watch because it was more than just about all the action.