John Woo is an excellent director with a distinct style that both western and eastern audiences can both see, recognize, and appreciate for all their nuances. What's great is that John Woo certainly was unrestrained in his vision, but restrained with his ego.
It is far too easy to have every director's whims answered a la "Star Wars" prequels and special editions that lose a lot of emphasis on story and soul for spectacle. Other movies such as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy strikes that balance, "Red Cliff" does that with incredible verve.
Story, simple, elegant. A warlord on the warpath, stalwart - and individual - generals lead a ragtag (because 50,000 is ragtag in Chinese terms) army against him. What happens is a matter of cunning, honor, hubris, and duty. You feel what they feel. Because the lead characters are based off of legendary figures in Chinese lore, they stand out from each other with gleeful release to be individual. Every step in the story keeps you engrossed with a thought of "what will they do next?" as challenges mount evermore.
The movie is simply beautiful. John Woo magically allows the audience to dream of these CGI landscapes that illustrate ancient China, and cements them in reality with huge set-pieces and a cast of - truly - thousands. Seeing as many soldiers on the screen when you know they are not digital is awe-inspiring. Combine that with the classic demonstrations of Chinese Martial Art action that shows when a general takes to the field and slays a dozen to his one nick on his neck.
I have seen many old Chinese epics, the return to the western center stage with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and its glutton with "Curse of the Golden Flower." "Red Cliff" is an astounding film that gets everything right because it recognizes that the legend is there to behold and what is important is staying true to the spirit of the legend and making it - the battles, the mythical heroes, the aura - alive on the big screen.
I cannot wait for this on blu-ray, nor for the full two-movie, Chinese version.