Review: The Myth

I watched it already, and have gone to the moviehouse twice (which means I have paid twice to watch the movie)... but I'm going to watch it still again. That's how good the movie is for me.
What is the story for me?
Jackie Chan plays the role of an archaeologist who [seems to] have lived as a Qin dynasty general. The archaeologist is pulled into an adventure not through his own desire, but through his friend's motive of discovering the secret of anti-gravity phenomenon. In doing so, he gets to follow some steps about the general whom he is always dreaming about, as well as the mysterious princess which the general is protecting. In the end, the two personalities played by Jackie Chan - General Meng-Yi and archaeologist Jack Chan - inconclusively reveal that they are two completely different personalities... Neither is Dr. Jack Chan a descendant nor an exact reincarnation of General Mang Yi.
(I would have thought this way if the movie ends with a direct experiential recollection on Dr. Chan's part, but instead, he categorically denied the connection to the general and even devalued the general's value to the princess.)
In the end, the two characters have been unified through the millenia-lasting life of Princess Ok-Soo, who loved General Meng-Yi all throughout the ages. The quest for material and earthly desire has been the fall of the people, and some myths are better left as such.
Technicals
The film has a lot of neutral to mid-negative reviews, but I am amazed that they took the time to give a review on this one. Hmmm. Try Yahoo and use "jackie chan movie the myth," and you will see what I mean.
For me, the special effects is just appropriate. After all, I would consider that the target audience of this one is not the Westerners who run after light sabers deflecting laser (read: travelling at the speed of light) beams, but Asians that go for values and virtues. The content of violence (and gore) is something you might see in a Dragonball cartoon, not from a Spongebob. For an Asian, I believe this is an awesome movie.
Considering the cultural gap, however, I find that the role of Princess Ok-Soo (Kim Hee Seon) is not properly established. To a Filipino (like me), I only considered the possibility of Ok-Soo's character as a non-Chinese due to the selection of the artist and when I noticed the Hee-Seon's name. I must confess, I don't even know that Hee-Seon is a Korean. I only thought of her name being odd for a Chinese, and I know that Kim is familiar among Koreans. That was about the only clue which gave me the idea that Ok-Soo is not exactly a Chinese. To a layperson, they might be confused why there is a need for a princess to be given to another kingdom's leader as a concubine. History and cultural sensitivity would be tested here among the audience (and of course, what do you expect of the critics who give evaluations without understanding the meaning behind the message). Reading about The Chinese Secret Service and Sun Tzu's Art of War helped me a lot, as well as some general understanding of Asian values.
Anyway, this is a technicals part, so let's go to the technical points.
Sound track - affecting. They blend well with the images and the situation, and enhances the feeling (thus, the word affecting) of the audience.
Performance - I have seen two reviews giving non-positive evaluation on Jackie Chan's roles in this movie - that is, being a familiar Jackie Chan that plays while fighting, and the serious General Meng-Yi who has the wisdom and tradition of his dynasty. Those two seem to say that Jackie Chan here is trying hard. Hmm. I don't know. Although I must confess that considering how old Jackie Chan is in the movie industry (he started with Bruce Lee at least more than a decade ago), it is only a bit challenging for him to switch character role. He was able to play the role of a Chinese general pretty well. Kim Hee-Seon, playing the role of a princess who has been a given as a concubine, acted her role impressively as well. Why impressively? Well, what do you expect of a princess of one kingdom in a royal court (it is not as easy as one imagines) to be a concubine? For her character, I would suppose that even a simple soldier would have impressed her, but early on her meeting with General Meng-Yi, she saw the character he showed in contrast with another fierce fighter (a general who insists she is bethrothed to him). Then the general risked everything to save you? What do you expect of her? Drama should also be taken in its proper context. In this line, I would like to point out also that Stanley Tong captured the heart of the Asian moviegoer with an adequate dose of history blended in the drama.
Sound Effects - Just about ordinary. Good that in the moviehouse where I watched, there was no problem with sounds or playing of the film.
Values - There is a question about why was supergeneral Meng-Yi given a superhorse. Why not? Also, this is not a movie about human weaknesses, but about human strengths (why would you entitle a movie 'myth' if the reality is about human perception of weakness?). The Asian does not strive for human side of superheroes (which is nowadays prevalent in Western superhero portrayals, such as Smallville, Batman and Spider-Man), but what human strength can achieve. Westerners seem to seek excuse for failure or sin, Asians understand the weakness but fight to be victors.
Favorites
I have three favorite scenes in the film. My most favorite is the ice mountain scene, when Ok-Soo discovered Meng-Yi frozen standing guard for her. After saving her life with his own dual sacrifice (he chose to surrender his sword, almost a disgrace for an Asian general, than to continue fighting the two remaining enemy soldiers), Ok-Soo returns the favor by saving his life from certain death with the warmth of her body.


Ok-Soo's dance after the mountain. The music is excellent. I am just wondering if it is Korean or Chinese...

Lastly, there is the challenge for the two protagonists to fulfill their responsibilities or to give in to their personal desires. In a Western movie, this would have been played with something like, "How about me?" Here, although the two characters have similar personal desires, one person opted to correct the situation for the general good, and the other agreed out of love.

Here in the Philippines
I am sad about the unimpressive marketing here in the Philippines. Actually, I had no plan of watching the movie when I thought about it. I watched it last Friday so that I could watch another movie (Pride) with a friend the next day - I am glad I watched it that day because I watched it twice that day. The next day, I did not watch Pride. I watched The Myth again.
Questions
There are just some questions I have on the story... I mean, I think a side-story could be made without destroying the essence created here. There is a good opportunity for a sequel. Hmmm.. I just wonder...
For some links about the movie, I have set some links on my previous post.

The Myth OST

Endless Love
(Theme Song From The Myth)

Sung by Jackie Chan and Kim Hee-Seon
JC:
Release me from this mysterious waiting
The stars are falling; the wind is blowing.
Finally I can hold you in my arms.
Two hearts beating together.
Believe me that my heart is never-changing
Waiting a thousand years.
You have my promise
Despite many bitter winters, I never let you go.
Kim:
Close your eyes and tightly grab my hands.
Please recall the past - the days we were in love.
We loved each other too much,
It is sorrowful that we can't even say "I love you."
JC:
Every night my heart aches.
I never stop thinking of you.
I am used to being alone for such a long time
And I face it with a smile.
Believe me, I choose to wait.
Even though it's painful, I won't leave.
Only your tenderness can save me from the endless cold.
Kim:
Close your eyes and tightly grab my hands.
Please recall the past - the days we were in love.
We loved each other too much,
It is sorrowful that we can't even say "I love you."
JC and Kim:
Let love be a blossoming flower in our hearts.
We can pass through time, never bowing our heads,
And never giving up our dream.
Kim:
We loved each other too much,
That is the source of our pain.
It is sorrowful that we can't even say "I love you."
JC and Kim:
Let love be a blossoming flower in our hearts.
We can pass through time, never bowing our heads,
And never giving up our dream.
Kim (in Korean) and JC (in Chinese:
We never forget our promise.
Kim and JC:
Only true love follows us as we pass through time.
Kim:
We can't even say "I love you."
JC:
The love we have in our hearts is the only never-changing myth.

From http://www.jackiechan.com/latestnews/newsarchive200508.htm

I also posted a copy of the Korean version (which was the one which was played in the Philippines when it was shown here) in my multiply.com site.

A Korean lyrics (with the English translation) is available in this site: http://jackiechanmusic.com/lyrics/karaoke/gif/myth-chin.korean.gif

Ain't it not obvious? I've been terribly affected by this movie... I just don't know why. The adventure? The kind of love they exhibited? I don't know...

Related Links:

Wikipedia. An article about the film

JackieChan.com - Movie Video (you need iTunes installed on your computer)

ent.sina.com - Theme Song music video... just be patient, though.

The review is to come yet.

Chinese Day and The Myth

Last Friday, I had a "Chinese Day" for myself. I started the day by getting my ATM from the bank, which was Chinabank. Before I went to the office (to visit a colleague), I ate in Chowking. When I went to the office, I talked for a while with a Filipino-Chinese friend. The last activity of mine outside the house was watching an awesome Chinese movie, The Myth, starred by Jackie Chan and Kim Hee Seon.
(More on The Myth later)
All throughout the day, I brought my book The Chinese Secret Service.
Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled by the Chinese culture. Not that it is bad, but I liked Japanese culture better before. Now, I don't understand it, but I feel a rush of emotion everytime I remember even just the music of the dance of Kim Hee Seon.
* * *

The Myth, I don't know why, impacted me so much. I almost cannot sleep. I watched it twice - meaning, I went to the moviehouse AND paid to watch it twice. I don't know just why. I appreciate everything about it, considering that it is not so much of effects. Of course, I normally like military movies. I appreciate the occassional cultural movies, but this one's effect on me is beyond everything I have had before (I have thought before, in Titanic, Why would I go to the moviehouse twice and pay just to watch a movie? I didn't think I would eat my words on that point.). I remember the romance and the legend of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the music of Chinese tunes of Sunday mornings when I was a kid (which I never appreciated), but in this movie, they are combined with awesome effect! The music is PERFECT! I hope to write a review about it here or on my other website...
* * *
Hmmm... I am wondering, what is happening to people's relationships these days? Cannot they be content that they have people? I guess it is hard to accept the weakness of people? But is not that accepted when you say you 'love' the person?
* * *
More on The Myth later.

Future UPM ROTC: Inspection of Officers

June, 2018 - After three years, the UP Manila students who lived their three years as cadet officers in UP Diliman ROTC Unit has started their own corps - again - and re-starting the first training day of the UP Manila ROTC after 15 years no training.

The training did not change much - there is still the high standards of performance, strictness of cadet officers, and high level of professionalism and camaraderie between officers and rank and file.

0530H - The Corps G1 called the formation of the Cadet Officers' Corps in the Headquarters and Formation Area (in front of the former SSWC and now UP Manila Gymnasium). The Corps G1 gave reminders to prepare everything and make final checks for uniform and necessary training and miscellaneous items. In addition, all mobile phones are to be turned to vibration or silent mode. A necessary reminder these days, but not to the Corps of Officers - however, no room for mistakes are to be taken for granted by the Corps G1 who is also the Corps Adjutant.

The Corps G1 shouted ZHUN! The Corps Executive Officer went in. Less than two seconds, he also shouted ZHUN! and the Corps G1 dropped his hand from the salute and went to attention. The Corps Commander joined the formation and returned the salute of the Corps Executive Officer. The Corps Executive Officer went at the back of the formation of the 15 cadet officers, while the Corps G1 walked towards the Corps Commander who walked towards the formation. The Corps G1 gave his salute to the Corps Commander who returned the ceremonial gesture.

The Officer's FIA (Formation, Inspection and Administration) is an informal version of the unit FIA. Instead of the sergeant calling out the formation of the cadets, the cadet officers go to the formation at the designated inspection time (normally, 0530H). The class system persists here. Fourth classmen are expected to be at the area 15 minutes before the time; third classmen, 10 minutes; second classmen, 5 minutes; and the first class, on time.

The Corps Commander has the option of doing the inspection himself (common during special activities, like presentations and parades) or assign the Corps G1 to do it for him (common during regular training day). In either case, the standards and articles are never changed, and they are the same whatever class you are.

Standards mean you do things properly, snappily and professionally. Articles mean the specific items that are being observed, such as the uniform, shiny brass articles, charoled boots, and clean and properly arranged "miscellaneous" items (a misnomer, since miscellaneous items are required during inspection). The beret or the head gear is to be properly worn, measured to the width of the fingers. The marine press should be sharp, almost like a blade. The gloves should be impeccably clean.

The fourth classmen are inspected first (Before even entering the first semester, they have already undergone COCC training so that they would have ready knowledge on leadership and military business when they go on their first training day.). The arrangement of the officers is such that the lower classmen cannot observe the inspection being done on their upperclassmen. Thus, the fourth classmen stand up in front, the second row is the third classmen, then the second classmen, and lastly, the first classmen. The class commanders become squad leaders in this non-square formation.

With the Corps Commander being a communication student, he decided on applying some communication strategies in the training day with his officers. At the start of the first training day, all cadet officers are to wear their unit's respective UP uniforms.

The cadet officers of the Rayadillo Honor Guards wore their uniform in full dress - down to brand new white gloves, polished charoled shoes and untarnished metal articles. The Corps Commander gave the familiar test to the breast plate of the fourth class Rayadillo officer: a breath. Good, thought the Corps Commander. The battalion commander and the company commanders wore the guinnet cap, while the platoon leaders wore the maroon and blue berets, for the Alfa and Bravo Companies respectively.

The Kampilan Battle Group cadet officers wore combat fatigue uniforms, or CFU. With a different kind of material used, it is essentially like a tropical fatigue uniform (TFU) tucked inside the pants, and the lower garment without the six-pockets. The Corps G1 noted how the Corps Commander glided his fingers on the marine press, one of the main attractions of the CFU when properly prepared and worn. While the Rayadillo officers brought their swords, the cadet officers of the Kampilan Battle Group would wear their CFU on rolled sleeves. They all wear the KBG's unit seal on the green beret, a symbol of camaraderie with their men - and women.

Next is the Service Support Unit. The only cadet unit which has its commander no higher than a third classman, all the section or team leaders are fourth class cadet officers. They are wearing either CFU or TFU - depending on the teams they are heading -  all on rolled sleeves.

The third classmen came next. The class commander is a Rayadillo cadet officer, Alfa Company Commander (maroon beret). After properly doing the inspection word, the Corps Commander took note of the uniform. He also looked on the shoulder ranks - three brass circles, all shiny.

The Strike Force unit commander, one of the two special operations teams of the UP Manila ROTC, goes with his own uniform: black TFU lower garment (six-pockets), black sweatshirt with "tactical paddings" on the elbows, pistol belt and black combat boots, and black beret with the Strike Force patch.

The commander of the Rescue Operations Team (the real name is Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Development Group, SF's anti-thesis unit), is wearing the Urban Patrol Modification of the CFU (UPM-CFU). It is essentially the black version of the CFU, except it has a unit designation on the person's right breast, the unit's euphimistic name, RESOPS. Since they are doing some exercise today with the Strike Force and not on a "training mode" day (meaning, the cadet officers are training the cadet enlistees), the officers are wearing the UPM-CFU with unrolled sleeves. They are also wearing black padded gloves. Their head gear is the black beret, but it does not contain any patch (The G2, a tactical officer of the unit, advised the Special Operations Company Commander to put this beret on the team due to their dual role - liaison unit, which, in the past, was fulfilled by Civic Welfare Service Company. Its uniform was T-Fatigue, with a black beret for its head gear.).

Service Support Group commander wears a regular CFU, very much.

The second class cadet officers, mostly unit commanders, were inspected next. Like the third classmen, the class commander is from the Rayadillo Honor Guards. He is the battalion commander of that unit, and thus wears a guinnet cap.

The class executive officer is also an executive officer of the Kampilan Battle Group. He is also wearing training-style CFU. As a senior officer of the Kampilan Battle Group, he is also a prominent officer of the Special Operations Company (which is under the Kampilan Battle Group). Since there is no training for Strike Force or Blue Light cadets, he will focus on training of KBG for today.

The Special Operations Company unit commander follows. He is wearing not UPM-CFU, but regular CFU. This is because he will be assisting the KBG cadet officers in training new cadets, and his identity as the commander of the unknown unit is known (Instead, he is officially designated as a CMO Officer, a "coordinating office" between Corps G2 and Corps G7.). In addition, the SOC Commander is under the office of the Corps G2, although for organizational purposes, the unit is under KBG.

First classmen at the last line need just minimal inspection, since their uniform have less things to inspect. They are wearing summer attire, since they will be switching places, between office and field areas, rather frequently.

After the Corps Commander concludes the inspection, the Corps G1 request for permission to leave his presence and call the corps of officers to attention. The Corps Commander will stay at the back. The Corps G1, after calling the attention, will go back to his position at the back of the unit. The Corps Commander will call the Corps Staff for any announcements not given the night before or the Tuesday CQ before that Sunday. The Corps Commander starts almost always with the Corps G1, unless there is a special activity, during which the Corps Commander may call on the project COIC instead.