Watch The Warring States

The Warring States is a 2011 Chinese historical epic film directed by Jin Chen and starring Tian Jing, Honglei Sun, and Kim Hee-seon. The film is set in ancient China during the Warring States period, which lasted from approximately 475 BC to 221 BC, a time of perpetual warfare and political instability as various states fought for dominance and control. The film tells the story of two military strategists, Sun Bin (Sun Honglei) and Pang Juan (Francis Ng), who are vying for power in the state of Qi.

The film opens with a battle scene in which Sun Bin, who was previously a strategist for the state of Wei, is captured by the forces of Qi led by Pang Juan, a brilliant but ruthless strategist who believes in using any means necessary to achieve victory. Pang Juan imprisons Sun Bin, who has been stripped of his rank and identity, and tortures him in an attempt to extract vital military secrets. Despite the brutal treatment he receives, Sun Bin remains resolute and refuses to divulge any information.

Eventually, Sun Bin is released and allowed to return to his home state of Qi. Although he has lost his eyesight due to the torture he endured, he retains his mental acuity and strategic brilliance. Sun Bin soon finds himself in the midst of a power struggle between two factions in Qi: one led by the king's brother, Tian Ji (Francis Ng), and the other by the queen (Kim Hee-seon). Both factions are vying for control of the kingdom, and Sun Bin finds himself caught in the middle.

As the political maneuvering intensifies, Sun Bin is approached by the queen, who recognizes his strategic prowess and enlists him to help her gain control of the kingdom. Sun Bin is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to help her on the condition that he be allowed to leave Qi with his sister once the conflict is resolved. The queen agrees, and Sun Bin sets about devising a plan to outmaneuver Pang Juan and his forces.

The remainder of the film is a tense and gripping tale of strategy and warfare as Sun Bin and his allies seek to gain the upper hand against Pang Juan and his ruthless army. The conflict plays out against a backdrop of stunning visuals and beautiful landscapes, as the filmmakers make excellent use of the Chinese countryside to create a sense of both grandeur and intimacy.

One of the strengths of The Warring States is its excellent cast, led by the strong performances of Tian Jing as the loyal and resourceful Sun Bin and Honglei Sun as the cunning and merciless Pang Juan. Kim Hee-seon is also excellent as the queen caught between two warring factions, and her scenes with Tian Jing are particularly compelling.

Overall, The Warring States is a well-crafted epic that blends historical accuracy with thrilling action and satisfying character development. Although it may not be the most innovative or groundbreaking film in the genre, it is certainly a worthy addition to the canon and a must-see for anyone with an interest in ancient Chinese history or epic storytelling.

The Warring States is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.