A stunning, incandescent triumph

Rating: Null/10 (28 December 2000)

Ang Lee has redefined both the Asian film tradition and the martial arts tradition with this sweeping, harrowing epic. Not since Wang-Hong Lo finished his studies with Thich Nhat Hahn and filmed his gritty magnum opus "Chin Ho" in the Mekong Delta has an Asian master gone to such lengths to stun audiences worldwide. Kam Fong's overlooked cameo is not to be missed, and the entire cast shares Ang Lee's breathtaking vision. My only reservation about this film is the lack of sexual boldness with its female characters, but that is because I love to see the beatiful Asian female form in more full display. The smoldering emotional subtext more than makes up for this traditional reserve. This one is not to be missed. I shared a delicious Thai meal of Pad Thai Tofu with an old girlfriend from the east after taking in this magical film, and the inspirational energy of Lee's vision carried over into an unforgettable evening that brought the whole experience to a fulfilling climax. That is the power of a truly great film. Lee has crafted a masterpiece worthy of Kurosawa or the great master Matsushita.