The Guillotines (2013)

the audience applauded

Let's be realistic.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

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.

I concur with many of the earlier reviews, that the initial fighting sequences were well done and the "new and improved" guillotine is very cool. Sadly, the only clear message in this mixed allegiance, personal honor vs. societal duty, convoluted drama, was anti-gun control. Guns beat knives, even fancy, quasi-mystical, super swords and when armed soldiers attack unarmed citizens it's a slaughter- doesn't much matter the morality or rationale. The film tries to find hope, scrolling on the ending screen, that eventually the emperor had a change of heart. I wonder how much solace that provides the faceless thousands massacred, while the emperor contemplated? Perhaps, someone could have explained to the messiah revolutionary, it is not the giving of your life for what you believe that fortifies true change, it is ensuring your opponent gives their life for what they believe.

When the trailers were released, it seemed that The Guillotines will be packed with action with the titular weapon. And with Andrew Lau at helm, what could go wrong? The fact that Andrew wants this to be more of a drama about brothers rather than a guilty pleasure is disappointing. But it is not that bad and this still has some value of entertainment.The story: The movie starts off with a cool action scene with The Guillotines, a group, using the titular weapons against some 'bad guys'. After that, Wolf escapes from being executed. It leads to another action scene with the briefly appeared titular weapons. However that is all you see for the weapons in action. The Guillotines is tasked to find Wolf. Those waiting to see the weapons appearing again will be disappointed. There is plenty of action but the weapons are not featured in other than the first two action scenes. The climax is a huge disappointment. I thought the climax will the next action scene that will feature the weapons. The climax contains lots of explosions and that is about it. No epic fight scene. Acting wise is okay, not distracting.Overall: It should not be called The Guillotines. It is one of those misleading title. Without the special titular weapon, this is just an ordinary action drama movie which feels over-long at times. It is not bad but it is a disappointment.

Lousy script, bad acting, senseless violence and a "been there done that" storyline, make this a really forgettable movie. Actually the 1 out of 10 vote given, is for the first 10 minutes of the movie. Good sequence and showed promise of a great WuXia movie. The appearance of The guillotines were very impressive. Scary actually. A great update on the guillotine of old. Then it all went down hill from there. The title of the movie should be changed too. The movie is not about these legendary weapons at all. Having a messiah like protagonist doesn't help either. Feels like I'm watching a communist propaganda movie. I want my time back.