The Brothers Weinstein’s decision to dump China’s most expensive film ever is becoming clearer, per Bob Kohler‘s review in Daily Variety today:

“Riding a wave of unabashed fantasy and incendiary anticipation, Chen Kaige’s “The Promise”…defies both gravity and logic. Pic is a mixed bag of near-risible storylines, second-rate CG effects, some fabulous set pieces, somewhat cartoonish martial arts fighting and difficult international casting.”

Ouch.

But see for yourself, Angelenos: It starts a Foreign language Oscar qualifying run at the Laemmle Fairfax 3 at 11:30 am today, just in case you missed the two yuan pirated Pay-Per-View special in Inner Mongolia.