*** (Three stars)
With more than 6,000 years of history to draw from, Chinese filmmakers never have to look far for a rich source of material. In Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, director Daniel Lee focuses on one of the bloodiest and most romanticized periods in China’s already bloody and romantic past—an ancient time of civil war among the country's trio of titular sovereignties. Although this film doesn't quite match the originality and beauty of the best martial-arts period pieces (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; House of Flying Daggers), American audiences will likely relate to its distinctly Western vibe (it's larded with numerous army battle sequences). Three Kingdoms’ complex story lines, filled with love, honor, betrayal and the other usual suspects, complement a lot of general ass-kicking that will surely delight any martial-arts fan looking for a fix.—Shauna Cagan, production coordinator
[This is a TONY staff review, written for the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. It is not considered an official review and should not be read as such. Please think of it as a casual impression from a movie-loving friend.]