Bigger is better.

That's been this year's theme for Asian movies as budgets soared to new levels. Leading the pack was "The Flowers of War," which, at nearly $100 million, can claim the crown as the most expensive movie ever produced in China. Director Zhang Yimou's drama about Japan's war-time occupation of Nanjing starring Christian Bale sets a new high mark for mainland Chinese films, but it remains to be seen whether the movie's box office will match the price tag.

"Flowers"...