It's interesting to compare REIGN OF ASSASSINS (2010) with NINJA ASSASSIN (2009). Both are more than two decades old but still stand proud among newer entrants of the same genre.
1) both have powerful "boss" behind the scene. John Woo is the producer for ROA. The Wachowski brothers (before they became sisters) are the producers for NA; 2) both are their directors' 3rd work as director; 3) both are international collaboration. Main cast of ROA comprises China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and S Korea, while NA S Korea, Japan, Britain and US; 4) both contain well-choreographed or even spectacular fights. Wai Tung, one of the top action/stunt professionals in Hong Kong, is responsible for ROA, while a bunch of A-list martial artists in Hollywood are involved in NA.
5) both touch on, but don't go deeper into, culture conflict of some sort. It is egotistic killing against religion/Buddhism in ROA, and egotistic killing against Western/modern day humanitarianism in NA; 6) both plots include evil clan which kills without mercy, dreadful leader, rebellious protégé, chasing the traitor, unlikely ally, and end with the slaughter of that seemingly unbeatable leader.
The assassin master/leader in ROA has double identity and possesses grievance that almost warrants sympathy. This is a fairly intriguing angle to look at a "bad guy" who has his own sad story. Unfortunately the writer/director lays this layer in that character but doesn't paint any color to it. It's a pity that quite a few other opportunities to make ROA more dainty or opulent are also wasted.
1) both have powerful "boss" behind the scene. John Woo is the producer for ROA. The Wachowski brothers (before they became sisters) are the producers for NA; 2) both are their directors' 3rd work as director; 3) both are international collaboration. Main cast of ROA comprises China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and S Korea, while NA S Korea, Japan, Britain and US; 4) both contain well-choreographed or even spectacular fights. Wai Tung, one of the top action/stunt professionals in Hong Kong, is responsible for ROA, while a bunch of A-list martial artists in Hollywood are involved in NA.
5) both touch on, but don't go deeper into, culture conflict of some sort. It is egotistic killing against religion/Buddhism in ROA, and egotistic killing against Western/modern day humanitarianism in NA; 6) both plots include evil clan which kills without mercy, dreadful leader, rebellious protégé, chasing the traitor, unlikely ally, and end with the slaughter of that seemingly unbeatable leader.
The assassin master/leader in ROA has double identity and possesses grievance that almost warrants sympathy. This is a fairly intriguing angle to look at a "bad guy" who has his own sad story. Unfortunately the writer/director lays this layer in that character but doesn't paint any color to it. It's a pity that quite a few other opportunities to make ROA more dainty or opulent are also wasted.