Watch White Vengeance

White Vengeance is a 2011 Chinese historical epic film directed by Daniel Lee and starring Shaofeng Feng, Leon Lai, and Hanyu Zhang. Set during the Chu-Han Contention, a civil war between the two dominant Chinese political powers of the Han and Chu states, the movie tells the story of how two estranged brothers joined forces to overthrow a tyrannical king and unite the country.

The movie opens with young Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fighting together against the Qin dynasty. However, after the war, they become rivals, each vying for control of the emerging Han kingdom. Xiang Yu, a formidable warrior with a powerful army, looks down upon the more humble Liu Bang and tries to block his ascension to power. Liu Bang, on the other hand, is more cunning and eventually succeeds in seizing the capital and becoming king of the Han state.

The two brothers' resentments and enmity only grow when Liu Bang's advisor, Han Xin, betrays Xiang Yu and joins Liu's camp. Xiang Yu is then defeated in a series of battles and forced to flee with his remaining troops to the city of Julu. While there, Xiang Yu decides to make one final stand against Liu Bang, who is hot on his trail.

Meanwhile, the ambitious Liu Bang is preparing a final siege of Julu. He sends his top general, Zhang Han, to lead the attack. However, Zhang Han is secretly plotting with Xiang Yu's queen, Consort Yu, to betray Liu Bang and usurp his throne. Together, the two plan to use a vulnerable Liu Bang to gain their own power and prestige.

As the armies of Han and Chu clash, the bloody history of China is laid bare on the battlefield, through brutal scenes that expertly blend stunning choreography and cinematography. The violence is raw, visceral, and moves from the battle camps to hidden plots and conspiracies, making the atmosphere extremely tense.

The movie showcases the natural beauty of China during the historical times, including shots of lush countryside and barren deserts. There are various themes including loyalty, brotherhood, and betrayal in addition to the usual epic tropes of great battles, stirring speeches, and personal struggles. Instead of glossing over this, the writers and directors chose to give each part an equal amount of detail, carefully establishing the two sides and showing the motivations behind their actions.

Shaofeng Feng delivers a nuanced performance as Liu Bang, a leader who is both smart and compassionate. However, it's Leon Lai who steals the show as Xiang Yu, the charismatic warrior who is driven to his eventual downfall. Hanyu Zhang is also excellent as Zhang Han, the treacherous general who is manipulating events behind the scenes.

Overall, White Vengeance is an engrossing and epic film that showcases the best of Chinese filmmaking. It's a story of two brothers at the heart of the ancient history of China, and it's a must-watch for fans of cinema or Chinese history. With its grand scenes of battle, its gorgeous landscapes and marvelous cinematography White Vengeance is a film that transcends its genre, creating a fully-realized world that's worth getting lost in. The film is a testament to the storytelling abilities of Chinese cinema, and is a great choice for anyone looking for an epic story delivered through top-notch filmmaking techniques.

White Vengeance is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.