r-amaya0724 Zhang Yimou, mostly known for his martial art and SIG films, takes on a different approach to his film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles. It tells the story of a Japanese fisherman, Takada, who's son has an incurable disease. Takada wants to redeem himself and receive forgiveness from his son. He sets out on a journey to China to film a Chinese folk Opera, Riding Alone for thousands of miles, which his son wanted to go back and film. On his journey Takada learns about his son and about himself. He realizes that although he is in a different culture, everyone is connected, which helps him understand the love for a child. In this film we see that Zhang Yimou films both China and Japan different. The different textures, and color tones distinguish both cultures.

matin_pop this was one movie that really got my attention. the title speaks for itself and it had me interested in watching it. the movie made me want to stick around and find out what happens next. its a bit of a sad story but it does have its funny moments. in a way i could relate to the story and the characters, because i have seen things like this occur in my life and in others. many of the scenes were perfectly shot, i wouldn't know how else portray those moments. i would definitely recommend this movie for many to watch. like i said, its a movie many could relate to, as did i. the movie portrays the difference between the two cultures, and the way they are portrayed is fascinating. the actors do a very well job in acting. i really enjoyed the ending. it starts of slow but then it gets interesting as the movie goes on and the viewer finds out information about the characters. emotions are expressed deeply in the movie, another reason the viewer is captured in it. it a great adventure movie with a journey of understanding. the audience is put on a ride that has no stops until the end of the movie. two words i would use to describe this movie are understanding and love.

master-fail Riding alone for 1000 miles gives a great example of all the standard relationships between father and son. Father have always loved their sons and Yimoy is trying to show this love form a father for his son. He did a great job og showing the father regret fot what he has done for his son. Also how he is going to make it up to his son. It is hard for a man to swallow his pride, but in this film Yimoy shows that even thought it is hard, but his son is more important to him him than his pride. also the sons understanding of his father pain at the end of the movie is admirable. The son knows that they both made mistake in their relationsship, but because of his love for his dad he tends to forget.

mfarrell87 Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles is an excellent film that truly depicts the differences in the Chinese and Japanese cultures (not in a negative tone, just different). Yimou Zhang's film creates a sense of isolationism when we see Japan. By and large, it feels like Japan has lost touch of its culture by keeping up with today's technology/modernization. In Japan, the audience never sees more than one person in a shot, with respect to Mr. Takata and his daughter-in-law. The colors that the audience sees in Japan reflect Takata's emotional demeanor, blue and gray. Although the fishing village that Mr. Takata moves to after his wife died was very tranquil, it creates a very somber tone and adds to the feeling of absolute solitude.On the other hand, Zhang depicts China as a group-oriented culture that remains connected to its ancient roots and traditions. China feels more warm and accepting than Japan due to its vibrant colors that are used to express the rich heritage of the operas.The opera, "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles," proves to be both a critical and also meaningless component of the movie. While filming the opera becomes the goal of Mr. Takata to re-connect with his son, it is not the opera that connects them; the heartfelt expression to travel to China is what Takata's son responds to. However, the question still remains as to whether or not Mr. Takata's son actually said anything or if it was just a ploy to get Mr. Takata to come home.Zhang Yimou does a great job of bringing Mr. Takata's emotions to a forefront. It was especially moving when Mr. Takata had to film a tape of himself asking for permission to go into the prison to tape the opera. It makes the audience wonder whether or not Takata would've been able to express his emotions if he wasn't twice removed by the TV screen and through the translation.All in all, I commend Zhang Yimou for a creating a movie that provokes the audience to think outside of the box.