everything you have heard about this movie is true.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Where to start? Jackie Chan just can't carry the lead role here - he entirely lacks the stature in every sense. John Cusack as a Roman General - whose idea was that? Because it really, really doesn't work. Neither character is remotely credible from start to finish. The chemistry between these two leads is entirely unconvincing, as much because the character development is so poor, and the dialogue and acting hopelessly wooden. A potentially interesting story badly told. Adrien Brody, though, makes a great villain.

The evil Tiberius wants it all and plot murders and betrayals. However, even ennemy armies can love and conquer to end in peace. Amen. Very epically thought and produced. Some flaws in the connection between scenes are confusing but the whole is worth some time.

Inspired by the story of a roman legion which vanished attacking the Parthian empire in 50 BC, this is a tale of civilizations clashing on the silk road. Huo An (Jackie Chan) leads the Silk Road Protection Squad which tries to keep the peace among the warring factions. They are framed for gold smuggling and sentenced to prison work detail at the Wild Geese Gate. Lucius (John Cusack) leads his Legion to the gate with a blind boy named Publius. They are on the run from Publius' murderous brother Tiberius (Adrien Brody).There continues to be an effort to sell Chinese movies by adding Hollywood elements. This has led to bending and twisting stories to accommodate the additions. The stories feel artificial and manufactured. It's a mess of clunky muddle. There are some nice battle scenes in this one. They are wild fun action but this movie is immediately forgettable.

I'm sure the story line was good, and based on other reviews it's about a time in the history of the Silk Road. I would actually enjoy a historical drama and usually love anything Jackie Chan does... but the script was so forced and bad, just can think of better word. Both Jackie Chan and John Cusack are good actors but this was a horrible train wreck and I could not continue watching... I even tried a 2nd time when it was on again. I hope Jackie makes more historical movies but hope he gets better writers.