Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon

On the cusp of old age Zhao Zilong faces a last defining campaign. The famed general leaves behind the quiet of retirement to lead a bold push that could seal his name for generations. The mission pulls him toward a network of old loyalties and fierce new rivals, testing his sword and his restraint alike. The struggle pits cunning strategy against brutal force as he negotiates weathered friendships, scorched earth battles, and rising ambitions among competing lords. Across sieges and strategic moves he fights not only rival armies but the weight of history itself, while weary allies and ambitious youths orbit his shadow. This charge frames Zhao as a mortal legend pressed into one last contest for honor and memory.

Directed by Daniel Lee and released in 2008 this large scale epic reimagines Zhao Zilong's legend from the Three Kingdoms era. Screenplay by Lau Ho-Leung and Andrew Fung Chih-Chiang anchors action in myth with Andy Lau in the lead, supported by Sammo Hung, Maggie Q, and Pu Cunxin.

The film presents a glossy vision of ancient warfare that sits squarely in the mid 2000s wave of wuxia epics. Its star driven cast, striking armor, and brisk fight choreography helped renew interest in Three Kingdoms stories for international audiences, inspiring later period pieces and sparking interest in martial arts cinema history.

Reception was mixed, with critics praising scale and performances while noting pacing lags. The film centers on loyalty, leadership, and the toll of war, balancing personal duty with the broader pull of imperial ambition, and framing Zhao Zilong as a legend shaped by hard choices about power and responsibility in his later life.

The film did not receive major nominations at the Oscars, Emmys, or Golden Globes, and there are no widely reported wins. It remains a bold period action piece rather than a festival favorite, notable for its star power and spectacle rather than awards season recognition.