'Marco Polo': Sweeping Soap Euro-style . . .

Films/DVD Asylum

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Netflix' latest re-package is the international production of Marco Polo's life with Kublai Khan, Main Mongol and descendent of Genghis. It is a vast, colorful, and somewhat compelling story that comes to life after episode one. I found it incongruous when it started as Mongols, Italians, and Chinese were all speaking German. Fumbling through subtitles I finally got it to Spanish language (no Italian) with English CC. The language choices related to production money and intended first audiences, I'm sure.
As with most Euro titles there is a good deal of violence and skin. (Did I say skin?) There is an interesting martial arts combat between a naked courtesan and three soldiers. Guess who won? How can you hit a naked lady? Outside of my prurient interests, there is palace intrigue, budding romance, combat, and all the things one could want for a full tour of the late 1300's. I just finished episode five but will have to re-watch it. Being a bit drowsy it was hard to follow all the hallucinations of the hash smoked in the beginning.
Benedict Wong plays Kublai and does a terrific job. He appears to have really lumped on 100+ pounds for the role. Joan Chen plays number one wife and, sadly, age is showing. The other ladies are all alluring and give excellent performances. Young Marco does well as a young man constantly walking on egg shells.
I think this is worth a watch. KKThe first season is ten episodes but I can't help believe that there will be at least a season two with the amount of cash burned for season one.
Forget the popcorn, nuke some Ramen and get with the program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB-ltNasHVw (Open in New Window)

Edits: 12/20/14 12/20/14

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Topic - 'Marco Polo': Sweeping Soap Euro-style . . . - Billy Wonka 08:43:20 12/20/14 (7)

A perfect film... - Victor Khomenko 05:47:33 12/28/14 (0)

A prediction... - rlw 11:03:55 12/22/14 (0)

I watched episodes 1-4 so far... - rlw 09:45:41 12/22/14 (0)

Better than Sominex - Victor Khomenko 09:06:17 12/20/14 (3)

Wow, tough crowd! - rlw 05:42:32 12/21/14 (0)

Please follow instructions and get past episode one . . . - Billy Wonka 15:11:31 12/20/14 (1)

I gave it another 20 minutes last night... I kid you not... - Victor Khomenko 05:46:12 12/21/14 (0)

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