The story of the first part of "Red Cliff" starts from the plot where Cao Cao,挟holding the emperor hostage, orders an expedition, and ends with the battle of Sanjiangkou. Surprisingly, Wu Yu-sen abandoned the classic plot where Zhuge Liang travels to Dongwu and debates with a group of scholars, replacing it with Zhuge Liang directly meeting Sun Quan under Lu Su's recommendation and using the provocation method. Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang's first meeting was filled with hidden competition. Zhuge Liang first commented that Zhou Yu's goose formation drill was outdated, while Zhou Yu questioned why Zhuge Liang carried a fan in winter. As for persuading Sun Quan to unite against Cao Cao, the two never discussed it face-to-face; they just sat together and played an ancient qin.
The Battle of Sanjiangkou has been revised
The prelude to the Battle of Red Cliff, the Battle of Sanjiangkou, has also been revised. Zhao Wei, playing Sun Shangxiang, leads a group of female soldiers to lure the enemy, while Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu set up a Bagua array at Sanjiangkou. In the Bagua array, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and Nakamura Shichido, playing Gan Xing, take turns appearing, each incredibly brave. Zhou Yu even blocks an arrow for Zhao Yun, recreating Wu Yu-sen's favored sentiment of camaraderie in battle. In the conclusion of the first part of "Red Cliff", Cao Cao fantasizes about a servant girl played by Xiao Songjia as Xiaoqiao, daily demanding she imitate Xiaoqiao's actions and demeanor. To boost morale after their defeat at Sanjiangkou, the Cao army holds a Cuju match. Finally, Zhuge Liang releases a dove, which sees Cao Cao's warships covering the Red Cliff river surface in the sky. The film ends here and reminds the audience to watch the next episode.
Zhang Fei doesn't shout at Yang Bridge
The opening big scene of "Red Cliff" - the Battle of Changbanpo, is definitely one of the most satisfying martial arts scenes in the entire film. In the chapter of the Battle of Changbanpo in the original work "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", there isn't much description of Guan Yu, but he does appear in this segment of the film and is even captured alive by the Cao army for a period. In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Zhang Fei once shouted so loudly at Yang Bridge on Changbanpo that it scared the Cao army soldiers into falling off their horses in fear. However, in "Red Cliff", Zhang Fei no longer relies on his voice to repel enemies, but instead follows Zhuge Liang's ingenious plan, setting up a reflective shield array at Yang Bridge, causing the cavalry to retreat in defeat.
Zhuge Liang is steady and experienced
In the film, Zhuge Liang, played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, doesn't have many lines, but he displays a steady and experienced side. For example, during the segment where Zhuge Liang meets Sun Quan, he carefully observes Sun Quan's words and expressions when Lu Su advises him, and then uses the provocation method. The subsequent meeting of friends through music is perfectly timed, and his silent departure afterward makes the audience look at Zhuge Liang's steadiness and experience in a new light.
Xiaoqiao is out of place
Lin Chi-ling, playing Xiaoqiao, doesn't appear much in "Red Cliff". Her first appearance is helping a mare give birth. After Zhuge Liang helps the foal be born, Xiaoqiao surprisingly names the foal "Mengmeng", which is quite a mood killer. Later, Xiaoqiao even pouts to Zhou Yu, asking that this foal not be used as a war horse in the future. After Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu meet through music, Xiaoqiao even tells Zhou Yu: "From the music, I hear that you actually need a friend."