Aftershock (2010)

Waste of time

Load of rubbish!!

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

If ever there was a movie to inspire a person to write a review Aftershock will be top of the pile.I went into this movie unaware of its story and history, and was more drawn to its reviews from some of the more reliable critics. I wont dwell long on telling its story as it will speak for itself.The special effects are very realistic and quite disturbing. And as for the acting there isn't a Hollywood actor out there that could come close to the performances given by all the cast.I dare any Man to sit through this without shedding a tear it just wont be possible. I would highly recommend this movie for all to see. Rest in peace 240,000 souls who perished

What is it, where is it, how will it affect me? A story told over a whole generation following members of a family separated as a result of the Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976, some of which are unaware of the others' survival. Despite being the youngest, arguably least wise and time-tested film on the list, you'll find me using the first person a lot more than otherwise for this piece of reasoning, as it's devilishly easy to shout at the tip of one's lungs why Aftershock is as good as the position on the list it sits in. I've quite liked the last decade in film. Granted, it has only impressed me on a few momentous occasions; nevertheless it's the way that these select films impress me that makes me admire the era. The chief suspect among which is Aftershock, a modern day commercially orientated Chinese film depicting a piece of national devastating history with a mission statement that on face value seems as watertight as a colander, as sturdy as a chocolate fireguard. If by a twist of fate the blueprint for such a film ended up in the hands on a Hollywood director, it would have been a sure-fire disaster. Nonetheless, Aftershock is one of the greatest films of all time simply because it sweeps over every possible obstacle the sheer scale of the challenge undertaken presents to those making the film with unmatched ease. It's one of the greatest films of all time, although it appears drastically out of place amongst such a crowd, because it's overwhelmingly good at what it sets out to do: made with skill, thought, potency, confidence, structure, planning and a touch of the divine. To plot the course of a divided family as its members grow over a 25 year timeframe was a bar raised impossibly high. But when finished watching Aftershock, it's simply dumbfounding! At once, simultaneously, I'd seen everything like it before, yet I'd never seen anything like it before: an epic drama laced with national heritage that displays such perfected film-making in each and every scene, from the script that can pluck each and every heart string, to the flawless execution of character age and growth, both aesthetically and behaviourally. Did I mention that Aftershock is the only film that's ever made me cry like a baby? At the end of the day it's still an epic drama with a big budget, a formulaic canvas to paint on that's been done time and time before, but Aftershock has so much more power and attention to detail within it that, by the time the climax of the film comes around and one's tear ducts have ingested plenty ecstasy enough, remembering the petty flaws of the film or how such a concept for a film doesn't fit the stereotype of 'truly great' is forgotten and the film completely encases you in what it's trying to achieve. How many films succeed with that kind of intensity, throughout the cinema halls of fame? Realistically, I could count them on one hand. On my thumb we find rookie Feng's 2010 Aftershock, every bit worthy of being named the 13th greatest film of all time.

Aftershock is one of those movies where you really feel the experience and journey of all your characters for the length of its time and really connect with the characters. Even those who don't understand Chinese (myself included) will connect with the human story and its wonderful drama, not to mention some amazing visual effects at the beginning.I'm not going to go into the plot of the film but it is essentially a very real human family drama that deals with the pain of continuing to live with guilt and having to restore one's life after a tragedy. It may sound familiar but the beauty of Aftershock is that its emotional core is something it never shies away from. You see and feel the journey of all three central characters and how a natural disaster can shape our destinies and change our perspectives on ourselves and those around us.While you can sort of see the plot unfolding before it gets there in the end, it is essentially what you want. I really cared about these characters so anything less than what you would expect would have been even more harrowing. But the resolution which seems to solve everything yet still leaves an emptiness is remarkable.This is a film not to be missed. I was almost in tears by the end of the film - it has been one of the most captivating films I have seen in a long time and is a remarkable piece of cinema. Not to be missed.

This has to be one of the best films I have ever seen! From the minute you are drawn in by the amazing cinematography and the story set before you, you are hooked.This film flows like the Three gorges dam, powerfully! Have a box of tissues handy as you'll need them. The film moves along at a nice steady pace punctuated with moments of such drama that if your of a certain disposition you will weep openly.At 2 hours 15 minuets I was so glad it ended. Not because I hadn't enjoyed it but because I was an emotional wreck.I could wax lyrical for paragraph upon paragraph about this film but the most poignant thing I could say is... Just watch it.10/10 easily.