Ang Lee is not George Lucas! This is a Good but not Great film.

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2001)

Ang Lee is not George Lucas! This is a Good but not Great film. I've read comparisons of this film to "Titanic" and "The Matrix", but it is so much more closely related to the "Star War" series, in aspiration, philosphy and mood. It is however far inferior to any of George Lucas's work and about on par with overinflated pulp like Titantic and/or Matrix. The plot is simplistic, the theme and tone, very dark giving the film an unresolved feeling, like a suspended chord, and leaving this filmgoer depressed. On the other hand, the cinematography is stunning, the action scenes are relatively convincing, although the freshness of the choreography has been blunted by similar fight scenes in Charlie's Angels (Argh!)and the heretofore mentioned The Matrix. In that CTHD is considered one of the top films of the year is more of a statement of the state of the cinema than of its inherent greatness.