Breathtaking film which shouldn't be 'classified'

Rating: 8/10 (3 May 2001)

What can I say that hasn't already been said?
The scenery and settings are stunning, the action amazing and the plot interesting and heart-touching ... that's been said but it is worth repeating!
For additional comments I want to say why I say the film should not be classified; too many people have said this is not a Kung-Fu movie as they recognise it and that it cheapens the genre when real martial artists are replaced by actors, editors and computers. I say this film (and in fact any film) should be regarded on its own merits and not classed as a "Kung-Fu movie". When people say a film is a "Sci-Fi movie" what are they saying? That a film can't be set in the future and not be seen as a comedy? a thriller? and action movie? a romance? Any combination of these? This is a movie of love, battle, pride, society, ancient powers, dedication, spirituality and more; don't limit it by adding it to the list of Kung-Fu (and, yes, I like what others call "Kung-Fu movies" too!)
And to answer some other comments/questions ... (I don't think my answers to these are any more spoilers than the questions)

Where can you see flying in Kung-Fu movies? Try "Zu Warriors" for a treetop experience.

Jen is foolish and contemptible? Young people all over make mistakes and when you want freedom *and* to be 'good' yet freedom is offered by 'evil' whereas only study, boredom and rules are offered by 'good', then you throw in the demands of society her actions make more sense ... who of us did the right thing all the time when we were still mid-teens anyway?

How did Jade Fox learn without being able to interpret the manual? She tells you in the film ... (it's not 'plot crucial' but if you don't want to know stop reading this paragraph now ... pause ... pause ... the manual had pictures!).

As for there being no romantic tension between Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh? This must have been another film that was being watched - the tension and feelings were obvious to me from their first moments together; maybe the release of many much poorer/more obvious movies than this or the 'up front' nature of society today means some people can't interpret subtle body language, conversation pauses and facial expression - I hope not, that would be sad.

I'll finish where I started, reiterating what others have said before; See this movie ... if you do so without preconceptions or prejudices I think you will enjoy it, if you don't I think you may have missed a great experience.
P.S. If anyone can *privately* email me with a definitive (or at least well researched) answer to the question of exactly *why* the character did what they did at the end of the film please do ... many theories but no-one seems to know (even those who loved the movie!) and no-one here has learned a new language to read the books!