Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- propulsive
- steely
- romantic
- action movie night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film entertaining and visually ambitious, while faulting its incoherent script, restless editing, and effects-heavy action that sometimes obscures the choreography.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Qinglong is betrayed by imperial court forces and hunted by his former colleagues.
The titular fourteen blades are designed as specialized tools and repeatedly drive the film's combat set pieces.
The story moves from the Ming emperor's secret service and political betrayal into pursuit, alliances, and sword fights.
Qiao Hua falls in love with Qinglong while entangled in his flight and the danger surrounding his capture.
Films like 14 Blades, and why
The Warlords
period martial arts action, secret identities, swordplay, and political betrayal
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate
stylized wuxia combat, imperial intrigue, and conflicted loyalty
Ip Man
hong kong martial arts spectacle centered on a skilled warrior facing betrayal and pursuit
House of Flying Daggers
chivalric wuxia adventure with romance, weaponry, and court-centered danger
Movie Details
- Director
- Daniel Lee
- Release Date
- 2010-02-04
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (221)
Cast
- Donnie Yen
- Sammo Hung
- Wu Chun
- Kate Tsui Tsz-Shan
- Qi Yuwu
- Damian Lau Chung-Yan
- Wu Ma
- Law Kar-Ying
- Chen Kuan-Tai
- Zhao Wei
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 14 Blades about?
- A betrayed Ming Dynasty secret-service warrior fights his way across a dangerous frontier while hunted by the imperial agents who once served beside him.
- What is 14 Blades like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 14 Blades as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is 14 Blades violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in 14 Blades as brutal.
- What did critics think of 14 Blades?
- Critics generally found the film entertaining and visually ambitious, while faulting its incoherent script, restless editing, and effects-heavy action that sometimes obscures the choreography.
- Which films are like 14 Blades?
- Films with a similar feel include The Warlords, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, Ip Man, and House of Flying Daggers.
- How long is 14 Blades?
- 14 Blades runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch 14 Blades?
- In United States, 14 Blades streams on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel.
