Seven Swords (2005)

[CrazyFrog]

Seven Swords (2005)

Directed by Tsui Hark

Liu Chia-Lang, Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Charlie Yeung, Lu Yi, Sun Honglei, Kim So-Yeon, Duncan Chow

Review

I had some initial trepidation about watching this film after reading other reviews, which painted the movie as overly long and confusing. Seeing as it was cut down from a four-hour plus running time, this movie indeed is epic in a sense. Some of the other nervousness stems from my ability to like Tsui Hark's films; the ones I have seen were often flashy, beautiful, overwrought, and just plain silly (No, I have not seen the Blade yet but will soon). And some of this apprehension found fruit in what I watched but was overcome by a general feeling that Tsui Hark was on to something here and I hope there is at least one sequel.

Based on a novel, this movie most resembles the Seven Samurai, I think intentionally. It's a fairly well-known story; people in danger from baddies, one man finds help from outside sources, and said sources do battle with the baddies. The execution of this concept gets a little tricky in this movie ,though, as it frequently becomes very confusing at times due to the large cast with no actual standout lead.

Boring Plot Summary:
To sum it up, a on the run guy with a dark past (Pops) happens upon a village in Northern China. Turns out he's fleeing from a vicious and corrupt force that has used a new Imperial edict to their advantage. The edict is about the abolishment of martial arts from the kingdom and the punishment is death for those who defy it. The village happens to be named Martial Village, which doesn't bode well for them, one can gather. Pops kills a tenacious pursuer but is badly wounded. his presence in the village leads to all kinds of mistrust, especially when his past is unearthed. He flees with help from two villagers, Han and Wu. They go to Mt. Heaven, where a group of martial arts disciples hangs out (no, really. Watch the film- it's like Mt Everest or something there!). Pops begs their master, a sword guru, to lend his minions to fight the corrupt Imperial forces. He agrees and off they go, now everyone with a cool sword to smite the baddies with. And there are seven of them!!

The leader of the corrupt Imperial forces is Fire-Wind, the craziest of crazies. This guy is actually kind of scary, well played by Sun Honglei. Him and Pops have history together but it's used minimally in the film. The Imperial forces decide to crush Martial Village down to the last child. Needless to say, the Seven Swords swing into action to prevent that. What follows next is violence, love, slavery, betrayal, horse-herding, and an epic attack on the bad guys base. To reveal more would be spoiler-ish and just plain take for freakin' ever.
End of Boring Plot Summary

There's a lot going on in this movie and so I'll try and tackle it by looking at what worked and what didn't. What didn't: There was a lot of confusion in certain parts of the film and it may be attributed to large chunks of it missing. The journey to Mt. Heaven in particular stands out as being rather confusing, especially as it seems to have some mystical elements to it that are not explained at all or alluded to at any other point. The interaction of the villagers in Martial Village is also convoluted, not to mention the eventual reveals about some of the core Seven Swords group history and how they may be linked to the villagers in some odd way. It doesn't ever become clear at all, and it deflates some of the tension that arises between the villagers (a righteous, logical society who are extremely strict) and the Seven Swords (minus the two from the village). Perhaps adding back in the cut footage would clarify things but it could also muddy them even further as Tsui Hark has an eye for throwaway details.

More things that didn't work were the portrayals of the Seven Swords themselves, a quasi-mystical group that oscillates between being very human and superhuman. Not much at all is explained about them- no, wait- not much is clearly explained about them. They seem to all have human pasts in real places but they live monastic lives on a mountain that reigns fireballs down on occasion and one of the members is even locked in a frozen cave because his abilities and sword are so dangerous (any guesses who this would be?). So are they people with extraordinary ability or are they "celestial" beings? It's confusing. The group dynamics (or lack of) revolves around two main Swords- Donnie Yen and Leon Lai. The other two core guys have relatively little screen time compared to these two. I'm not complaining too much, but I had hopes it was a little more egalitarian than that. Also, using the new crop of HK pop hotties- didn't stand out too bad here but again, no one stood out.

What did: Action is good to great, varying from setpiece to setpiece. And your taste for wire-fu. Donnie is actually good in his role as holder of the most deadly sword (I guess), the Dragon. What it does isn't really clear but it makes a distracting sound whenever he pulls it out and things nearby shudder as if some force was moving them. The Dragonforce!!http://www.dragonforce.com/
Anyways, the other main "lead" is a Obi Wan type, helping little kids and ladies while not doing much of anything until the last battle. His sword, the Transcience (where did that come from?) is only half-done because sword guru either didn't have enough time (which I doubt, SITTING ON A MOUNTAIN) or he believes Leon will do something to..... I don't know, finish it? It looks like an ashy broadsword with some serrations in it, like some half-ass Farberware at Ross. The other swords are cool too, one is actually two swords that join into one, like mirrored images, and another is just freakin' huge. These two other guys are notable for their lack of scenes except for a very strange horse scene in which one of the guys is supremely attached to a horse (don't ask, don't tell) and is devastated when has to let it go. Yeah, it will leave your head scratchin' too. And lastly, the villagers get swords too but the only one that is really seen in any detail is the girl's (Wu) sword, which does a neat if scary trick of sliding both ways through the hilt.

Tsui Hark's direction is good, and at times suitably epic. The cinematography is also well done but one complaint I do have is the constant dust, fog, whatever that seems to be in every scene. I know it's supposed to depict a grittiness, a real war-is-hell cinema verite but it must take up at least 10-15% of the movie. Performances are generally good, with the best by far being Fire-Winds scenery chewing. Pops is good but is often in the background or not very visible, most likely due to his age. The remaining two Swords from the village try to learn their new responsibilities and powers but the woman's (Wu) story is much more compelling, not to mention her sword. The other guy (Han) is a schmuck- that's about all I had to say after a while.

The Capper:
The film was epic and while not to the heights of some other epic Chinese films (Hero), I found it better than others (Curse of the Golden Flower). It does set an interesting group of protagonists against a very colorful group of antagonists, with some great, fantastical action, romantic underpinnings (which I was ambivalent on), and some dynamics that propelled the film forward. I would like to see if the uncut version is any better but this is definitely worth a look and would be a promising start to a very cool series if done as originally imagined. I guess I need to see Blade now.... .

5 out of 7 Seven Swords

[The Running Man]

And your taste for wire-fu.

Or our taste against "wire-fu". And what I mean by that is that stupid term. :rolleyes:

As for this movie, it's a mess plain and simple. You don't know anything about anyone and even more impressively, nothing about the swords in the entire 2 hours and 33 minutes this movie goes on for. That's pretty impressive really. How anyone can manage to have a movie that long and have nothing explained or established is a monumental achievement.

Tsui Hark is probably the most talented slob ever in movies.

[CrazyFrog]

I can agree how this film could agitate someone who likes a little clarity and that it lacks to varying degrees. But I think it is a very promising piece and I don't think wire-fu is going away anytime soon, even w/ the resurgence in genuine (well, visceral) contact MA on film. Wire-fu permits newbies and older actors to pull the superhuman moves, plus it seems like a staple in fantasy Chinese fil

[The Running Man]

Wire-fu permits newbies and older actors to pull the superhuman moves, plus it seems like a staple in fantasy Chinese fil

You don't understand. I said I was talking about the term "wire-fu", not me having a problem with wire effects. :) I don't like the term "wire-fu". It's an incredibly stupid term created by really geeky mainstream internet critics after watching The Matrix. It's retarded and makes it sound like a joke. It's also typical of white people loving to Easternize something that comes from Asia instead of just seeing and calling it what it is. A Hollywood movie with a white man on wires = Credible and respectable. A Hong Kong movie with a Chinese man on wires = "Wire-Fu".

Another example:
A Hollywood movie with a white man shooting a gun = Credible and respectable.
A Hong Kong movie with a Chinese man shooting a gun = "Gun-fu".

This is no different on how the stupid term for anime got created, "Japanamation". :rolleyes:

Gimme a break.

And you also are incorrect with it's entire existence. Wire effects are no different than other kinds of practical effects. It wasn't created primarily to have "newbies and older actors" keep up with younger people. It's primarily done to make wu xia films and other fantasy films based on Chinese mythology come to life.

And wires are a skill of it's own. You just don't strap on wires and that's it. That's another huge misconception with wire effects in action movies. There are people who have seriously gotten hurt and even died doing wire stunts.

[CrazyFrog]

Hmmm. I think I hit a nerve here. First, let me apologize by misunderstanding what you meant by referring to wire-fu (the term). I didn't think it denigrating by calling it wire-fu; it's a pretty common term on the internet and media and it's just a short cut way of saying there is wire-assisted stunt work. But I enjoy it just the same. I don't think that the Hollywood using wires makes it respectable or more legit (most superhero movies have them); it's just much more conspicuous in HK cinema and Chinese cinema for that matter. Yes, it basically is a fantasy thing that enables supernatural maneuvers to further enhance the fantastical element. And in a genre which covers a fuzzy spectrum from hard, realistic action to over-the-top fantasy, it can be seen as anywhere from cheesy and laughable to a fantastic embellishment to superb action.

And while it does take some skill and training before you even step into the harness, actors with no previous acrobatic or martial skills can pull stuff no one else can do- that's the point, I suppose. And it has been used to "enhance" certain actors moves in movies, very subtly.

And I can see your point about Tsui Hark being a talented slob (he has certain things down about filmmaking but not very good at some others). All the same, with additional footage or a better editor, this movie could be really great.

[Morgoth]

Running Man seems to be on a mission to get rid of the word wirefu. A lot of people use the word wirefu, but you don't. That just the way it is. The word wirefu isn't going away, no matter how many times you cry about it. And good review crazy Frog. I thought this movie was decent at best. The TV series is the way to go. The story goes into great detail, and I like pretty much every character in the TV show more than the movie version. I like Yue Sing-Wai more than Lau Kar Leung as Master Fu, Ray Lui gets the edge on LEon Lai, Gai Chun Wa is so much better than that bald kid, and even Vincent Zhao's performance I liked more than Donnie Yen's. Pai Paio was the only character in the movie that I liked more than the show. But Leung Kar Yas is still pretty good in the role of the town leader.

[teako170]

Umm, okay. I've heard the term "wire-fu" used by many ethnicities - not just "whitey."
Yes, even Asians in NYC's Chinatown have used it. Yikes!!

What next? A movement to stop the word... "chuckle-fu".
Sorry but I must draw the line there.
I love that term and will fight for its right to live and breathe amongst us. :D

Anyhow.... back on topic.

Interesting review CF. I watched this film about a month ago.
Yeah, lots of flash and not much substance.
Was nice to see ol' Pops and CKC in action though.

Not a big fan of the director (hated The Blade) but according to the commentary, a prequel & sequel might be in store for the future? Well, I'll definitely check out the prequel. If only to find out a little about the origin of those damn swords. (haha)

[The Running Man]

The word wirefu isn't going away, no matter how many times you cry about it.

Sorry, but I just have too much respect for this genre in order to let stupid geek buzz words being used that were created by people that had no respect for the genre. You seriously cannot sit there and believe for one second that "wire-fu" has any sort of respectable or credible factor to it.

It's no different than "Japanamation" for anime. Created by non-fans and morons and misunderstood by critics and viewers as begin the term that is official for it.

Umm, okay. I've heard the term "wire-fu" used by many ethnicities - not just "whitey."
Yes, even Asians in NYC's Chinatown have used it. Yikes!!

What does that have to do with anything? That's totally irrelevant.

The Hollywood movie "21" was based on a true story that were about a group of Asians which the Hollywood movie turned into mostly all white kids. The main person in the real story never said anything against it. Does that make it right then just cause he is Asian??

[oldeschool17]

Sorry, but I just have too much respect for this genre in order to let stupid geek buzz words being used that were created by people that had no respect for the genre. You seriously cannot sit there and believe for one second that "wire-fu" has any sort of respectable or credible factor to it.

It's no different than "Japanamation" for anime. Created by non-fans and morons and misunderstood by critics and viewers as begin the term that is official for it.



What does that have to do with anything? That's totally irrelevant.

The Hollywood movie "21" was based on a true story that were about a group of Asians which the Hollywood movie turned into mostly all white kids. The main person in the real story never said anything against it. Does that make it right then just cause he is Asian??
V, you taking it way too serious buddy. Im asian and im not the least offended by wire-fu as I use the term quite often. Matter of fact i cant stand movies that have excessive amounts of wire, but thats a different rant. Nor am I offended by the makers of 21 not acknowledging that the characters are Asian. Thats hollywood ignorance for ya buddy. Nothing you can do and my fellow asian bredrin could give a fck less. Life is too short to be annoyed by such petty stuff. Im also not offended by the "ricer" term either as i find it quite hilarious. Come to Atlanta and you will know what i mean :) Now if i can get everybody to hop onto the "pajama fu" term, that would be great:D

[Morgoth]

Yes Running Man I can sit here and believe that wire fu can be taken seriously. People make up words all the time, and wirefu fits what is going on onscreen. I hope you've met at least one other person that agrees with you, otherwise save yourself the trouble. I just don't see anybody on this forum or anywhere else that is going to stop saying wirefu. It's like Teako said, what are you going to do next, try to get people to stop saying chucklefu? Chucklefu and wirefu are 2 words I feel comfortable using and they help explain what genre the movie is. Simple as that.

[teako170]

Chucklefu and wirefu are 2 words I feel comfortable using and they help explain what genre the movie is. Simple as that.

Chuckle-fu rulzzzz. :D
Not a big fan of the genre - but ya gotta luv the word!

http://www.teako170.com/chucklefu.jpg

[The Running Man]

V, you taking it way too serious buddy. Im asian and im not the least offended by wire-fu as I use the term quite often.

No offense man, but you being Asian really doesn't change anyway my stance on this. I can find 10 Asians who would agree with me and you can probably find 10 that don't give a damn. So what does that mean? Nothing.

There are many Asians who don't care if Asians movies get cut for release over here. Does that make it right though?

On more serious issues, there are people in minority groups that don't get upset if the see themselves getting mocked in a movie or on TV with racist jokes. Does that make it right then?

In any case, I didn't say anything about the word being offensive as if it is on the equal level with a racial slur. I am saying it's a stupid term created by morons that know next nothing about Asian cinema and those people are in the mainstream. So therefore, the usage trickles down. "Wire fu" makes the genre and technique sound cheesy, stupid, and carries no amount of respect.

I mentioned before about Hollywood movies using wires before and no one created a stupid term out of it. It's basically people in the West mocking the East. It's asinine and yes, I would even say a bit racist. Really now, how many movies have there been with white people shooting at each other in Hollywood. But as soon as Asians do the same thing they have to "fu" it somehow? Yeah, "gun-fu"?

You said it yourself, it's "Hollywood ignorance" and as someone who is a fan of these movies and has genuine respect for them I don't like it and I will keep posting my opinion on it because it disgusts me.



Anyway, let me comment something that Crazy Frog said:
And I can see your point about Tsui Hark being a talented slob (he has certain things down about filmmaking but not very good at some others). All the same, with additional footage or a better editor, this movie could be really great.

Yes, I do agree with that. I do wonder what footage did his 4 hour cut have. With that amount of footage, I am almost certain the movie could have been a lot better than it was, unless it was just a bunch of random tangents the movie was going off on. Sadly, if that were the case it wouldn't surprise me considering Tsui Hark rarely has any sort of structure.

Perhaps it was an issue of cutting the film in the wrong places and leaving the wrong scenes in. For example, the entire scene where that one character let's his horses go. It runs for 5 minutes and really isn't that important of a scene. Especially when those 5 minutes can be spent on things like getting to know the other Seven Sword characters better and even the actual workings of each sword.

[GwaiLoMoFo]

Ah Running Man, nice to see some things never change. :cool:

[oldeschool17]

No offense man, but you being Asian really doesn't change anyway my stance on this. I can find 10 Asians who would agree with me and you can probably find 10 that don't give a damn. So what does that mean? Nothing.

There are many Asians who don't care if Asians movies get cut for release over here. Does that make it right though?

On more serious issues, there are people in minority groups that don't get upset if the see themselves getting mocked in a movie or on TV with racist jokes. Does that make it right then?

In any case, I didn't say anything about the word being offensive as if it is on the equal level with a racial slur. I am saying it's a stupid term created by morons that know next nothing about Asian cinema and those people are in the mainstream. So therefore, the usage trickles down. "Wire fu" makes the genre and technique sound cheesy, stupid, and carries no amount of respect.

I mentioned before about Hollywood movies using wires before and no one created a stupid term out of it. It's basically people in the West mocking the East. It's asinine and yes, I would even say a bit racist. Really now, how many movies have there been with white people shooting at each other in Hollywood. But as soon as Asians do the same thing they have to "fu" it somehow? Yeah, "gun-fu"?

Well that's the thing though. I personally think movies that rely on the heavy usage of wire's makes the genre look cheesy, not the term "wire-fu". I know im gonna get flamed for that, but thats just my opinion. I know in certain wuxia movies, let's say jet li's hero or crouching tiger for sake of argument, the use of wires is suppose to assist in portraying that fantasy world. I mean I can suspend disbelief but when 2 guys are flying in the heavens or people are running off tree branches, that's a bit far fetched. Now im not knocking those 2 movies based on their visual merits, because they were shot beautifully, but their excessive use of wires didn't do it for me.

As for the gun fu term, i think I can agree with you on that one.

[CrazyFrog]

Sorry this has gone on about a term. Ultimately, I didn't put a lot of thought into the review, just dashed off a response to what I'd seen. Words have an odd way of sticking in some people's craw... .

RunningMan, I'm glad you feel at least Tsui Hark was onto something here. From other films of his I've seen (and felt were worse), this movie, while far from perfect, really has high potential. It's sad that the director didn't realize that potential but honestly, with a little clean-up or clearer exposition, this movie could have been pretty friggin' cool. As it is, it is an interesting product from a wildly inconsistent director that frankly rose above my lowered expectations. Which is not a ringing endorsement but rather a "hey, this movie didn't suck b@((&".

[The Running Man]

I mean I can suspend disbelief but when 2 guys are flying in the heavens or people are running off tree branches, that's a bit far fetched. Now im not knocking those 2 movies based on their visual merits, because they were shot beautifully, but their excessive use of wires didn't do it for me.

Well, that's just the genre that they are in. People don't complain when they are watching Star Wars why these people have swords that are made of light or question all the existence of all those weird characters and fake languages that they are speaking.

No one watches Xmen and complains how fake it is that someone can control the weather or that another has blades coming out of his hands.

These are movies of a certain genre and I welcome. Personally, with wire use it only bothers me if it is badly done. Like there was one shot in Invisible Target where Nicholas Tse gets kicked off a building and starts falling and lands on a tree. That was a bad wire shot because the whole thing just looked unnatural.

Now in regards to this movie, Seven Swords, there was the one particular fight with Donnie Yen in the middle of those two buildings where him and his enemy start going up and down scaling in between the walls. It was short (only about a minute), but I thought it was fantastic and very well crafted wire effects. I thought it was one of the best fights of that year (and the best moment in that movie).

Crazy Frog,
while I do feel the movie had enormous potential, I unfortunately do feel that it sucked "b@((&".

As I said before, the movie is 2 hours and 33 minutes and somehow it manages to not develop a single character that you care about. On top of that, even though the movie is called "Seven Swords" we only get to understand how only one sword works (Heaven's Fall). What about the others? Things happen with the swords in the movie that we don't understand. What are there special characteristics? What does the Unlearned sword do? What does it mean that the Celestial sword is wild or whatever? Why does the Celestial and Dragon Sword react that way to each when they are clashing?

Even the technical aspects are off. The whole movie at times reels like a rough cut. And this has to be one of the worst usages of an awesome score I have ever experienced. Kenji Kawai's score is used totally wrong in almost scene after scene. Like in that (useless) scene where that character lets his horses go, he plays the Seven Swords theme (!). Why? That makes about as much sense as watching a Superman film where the theme plays where Clark Kent is waiting on line to use the bathroom.

The movie was probably my biggest disappointment of that year. A movie with that kind of a concept has no business dropping the ball like that. Especially someone who is supposed to be experienced as Tsui Hark. The movie wanders with only a vague idea of where it's going and totally forgetting the most basic components that make all great epics work. Having the audience truly care and understand the characters because you are asking them to invest much time into it.

And Tsui Hark continue to proves just how sloppy he is by having no plans to do the sequel. Instead, the fourth or fifth movie of the Eye franchise (!).

[CrazyFrog]

Yeah, the unexplained things about the Seven Swords bothered me. A lot. But I think it was to set up the mystery of these characters over sequels or a series. And would it really suck to see someone else pick up the ball on this movie besides Tsui Hark? I am not really a fan of his, so having a different director would be no big loss. I wonder if this thing made enough money or interest to have another movie be made.

That scene with the horses is laughably random. But the movie did have some inspired scenes, like Donnie's fight you mentioned. I just want to see if the excised footage was any more helpful in putting this together. It's like a jigsaw puzzle of a movie where certain pieces are missing but you can tell the big picture is pretty neat.

[Bravery]

I do wonder what footage did his 4 hour cut have.

There is no four hour cut. Ain't that a blip. It was edited down to make the movie flow better and the cut footage doesn't advance the plot: not verbatim, but Harks words on the DD release says as much.

That said I like the film, but for it to make any sense, they really do need to do a sequel to make the first film not seem so rush and sloppy. Explain the swords, thats all I ask for.

I bought the television version when Tai Seng released it, but I have yet to watch it and likely will not.

[Morgoth]

I bought the television version when Tai Seng released it, but I have yet to watch it and likely will not.

:eek::eek: You are really missing something special. It's worth watching for Ada Choi alone. Not to mention the awesome storytelling and great acting from Vincent Zhao, Gai Chun Wa, Yue Sing Wai, and others.

[Bravery]

:eek::eek: You are really missing something special. It's worth watching for Ada Choi alone. Not to mention the awesome storytelling and great acting from Vincent Zhao, Gai Chun Wa, Yue Sing Wai, and others.

Is it that good? if you tell me its worth it i'll check it out.

[Morgoth]

Prepare to be disappointed by the action, and also the ending. And there are a couple episodes that drag. But it is most definitely worth watching. I want to hear an episode by episode report from you Bravery:p;)

[oldeschool17]

Ive only watched a few scenes of Seven Swords and i thought they were ok but the wire work, meh. Now is the TV series heads and shoulders better than the movie? What is better/worse from the tv series and movie?

[Bravery]

Prepare to be disappointed by the action, and also the ending. And there are a couple episodes that drag. But it is most definitely worth watching. I want to hear an episode by episode report from you Bravery:p;)

I'll do that.

[Morgoth]

Ive only watched a few scenes of Seven Swords and i thought they were ok but the wire work, meh. Now is the TV series heads and shoulders better than the movie? What is better/worse from the tv series and movie?



The main thing that I liked more is that it is A LOT more detailed than the movie. And like I said in a previous post on this thread, I thought the acting was better. Vincent Zhao really puts on an amazing performance. I didn't think that Gai Chun Wa got enough screen time, but he is really good in every episode he is in (and just in case you don't know, Gai Chun Wa is the main villain in Fong Sai Yuk 2 and New Legend of Shaolin). Jason Pai Paio's character is the only character in the movie I liked more than the TV show. Leung KAr Yan does a good acting job in the TV show, but I just didn't like the actual character all that much. I also liked Chi Kuan Chun more, but I can't knock the performance of the guy who played the traitor in the TV show. There are brief moments in the movie that are better than the TV show, but not much. Only things like CGI and fight choreography. Overall I would say that the TV show is indeed head and shoulders better than the movie.

[oldeschool17]

cool beavis

[Bravery]

I can't get into the TV show, my girl loves it though. I put in disc one a few nights ago and fell asleep 5minutes in. I woke up around 10 the following morning and she was already on disc 3, I thought that was funny. She finished it last night and said the ending made her mad, she asked me if they were gonna do a second season. I answered and that made her even angrier, but she is now a fan of Ada Choi.

She wants us to watch it together, so i'm gonna give it a go tomorrow when i'm not so tired. Give my opinions then.

[Morgoth]

Thans for the update Bravery. I remember it took a few episodes before I really got into it. Give it at least 10 epiosdes. If you can't get into it once Zhao, Gai Chun Wa and later Ada Choi show up, then I would say turn it off after that.

[Morgoth]

I just started watching this show for the second time, and it is even better than I remember it! A decent fight here and there, and awesome music and acting. But the main thing that I am noticing rewatching it is how good the dialogue is. Man what an awesome show!

[Bravery]

I just started watching this show for the second time, and it is even better than I remember it! A decent fight here and there, and awesome music and acting. But the main thing that I am noticing rewatching it is how good the dialogue is. Man what an awesome show!

Are you trying to tell me I should get to watching my copy, and not put it off any longer.

[Morgoth]

I just wanted to say that the show is even better than I remember it. And Vincent Zhao, oh man. This guy's acting performance is as good as it gets.

[Bravery]

I started watching this it I did start getting into it a couple episodes in to the second disc. I'm gonna try to start disc three tonight or tomorrow when i'm done studying.

Morgoth you are right it becomes a lot better than I perceived from the slow start.

[Morgoth]

Thanks for the report Bravery. I've only got a few episodes left to watch, and it really drags by episode 25 or so. But I still enjoyed it. I just don't remember it being a struggle to finish:p

[Iron_Leopard]

I'm really dissapointed that there won't be a sequel to Seven Swords. I think it would have helped explain a lot of stuff from the first one.

I remember when Fellowship of the Ring came out and Richard Roeper did not like it one bit. But after he saw The Two Towers and Return of the King he changed his mind completley on FOTR and said he should have waited till he saw the whole trilogy before he made judgment. Same thing could have applied with Seven Swords.