‘Daggers’ filled with colorful action

Has Zhang Yimou turned himself into the James Cameron of China? Zhang, who began his career directing fascinating character studies such as “Raise the Red Lantern,” has lately given himself over to splashy epics aimed at the international market.

Earlier this year, Zhang’s “Hero” proved a swashbuckling hit. Following it closely is “House of Flying Daggers,” another color-soaked, action-packed picture.

Like “Hero,” “Flying Daggers” is a fun exercise. And its dizzying cinematography and production design will have you needing an eye bath when it’s over.

The story has some nice surprises which should be withheld, but we can say this much: During a time of rebellion in the Tang dynasty, two government deputies, Leo (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), are informed that a spy is employed at a lavish brothel.

This is the excuse for a dazzling dance sequence, in which the suspect, the blind Mei (Zhang Ziyi), does a dance involving a circle of drums and her own five-foot-long sleeves.

Not long after, Jin helps her break out of jail and escape through the countryside to her rebel group, known as the Flying Daggers.

What follows are some exciting action sequences (Jin is a mean hand with bow and arrow, while Mei excels at throwing knives), as well as the spectacle of Jin falling hopelessly in love with Mei. And Leo is going to come back into it, too.

The action is pretty awesome. A sequence in which Jin and Mei must fight their way through a bamboo forest, as sharpened bamboo shafts come raining down at them, is a kick.

It all builds to a sequence that has an operatic feel: big emotions, played out on a broad canvas. The battle is set against an autumn forest that eerily changes colors.

I have a theory that these movies are catching on with American audiences because, along with their martial-arts appeal, they are so openly, broadly emotional. Most Hollywood genre films are couched in irony, but not most Asian thrillers.

The serious-faced Zhang Ziyi, who has been Zhang Yimou’s muse on his last few pictures (and was the ingenue of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), continues to enchant. Her dancing’s pretty impressive, too.

As well made as “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers” are, they still strike me as confections, less filling than Zhang’s earlier movies. As desserts go, they’re just fine.

Zhang Ziyi continues to enchant in “House of Flying Daggers.”

“House of Flying Daggers” HHH

Sweet snack: From director Zhang Yimou, a color-soaked story of love and action in the time of the Tang dynasty. It’s a sweet confection rather than a filling meal, but a fun exercise. (In Mandarin, with English subtitles.)

Rated: PG-13 rating is for violence.

Now showing: tk

“House of Flying Daggers” HHH

Sweet snack: From director Zhang Yimou, a color-soaked story of love and action in the time of the Tang dynasty. It’s a sweet confection rather than a filling meal, but a fun exercise. (In Mandarin, with English subtitles.)

Rated: PG-13 rating is for violence.

Now showing: Cinerama, Neptune.