a great fantasy film with tremendous action sequences

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2006)

the narrative:.
The story revolves around Jen (Michelle Yeoh) who wishes to be free of rules and regulations and wants to be free within herself. Her tale is very engaging and sentimental but also action packed at many points.
Her sweet and supposedly innocent character is beautifully portrayed and brought up through the course of the film.
Other sub stories betrayal, loyalty, love and friendship make it a multitasking story and engages audiences into different lives which allow for uses and gratifications to be fulfilled.
The story is slow moving which allows audiences to take in all of the character values and personalities. We find ourselves becoming attached to the characters so throughout, we feel attached to them to make us feel happiness as well as sadness.
The beginning is eye-opening and makes audiences ask many questions which will encourage them to carry on watching. The ending is remarkable and a true capture of how free the soul can be.
The use of flashbacks is also a story pushing device and is used in the best way by using it to grab audience attention to become attached to the characters.
Action sequences.
What makes this film however are the action sequences. Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) directs outstandingly scenes involving the characters who fly around while sword fighting. This is a remarkable technique. It beats conventional action sequences that we have these days e.g. Mission impossible II or James Bond and adds a more fantasy genre to the story. Its great fun to watch as the actors give the sword fighting their all and perform perfectly. Their reflexes and actions are defiantly worth watching and personally are the best sword fighting sequences I have ever seen, maybe even the best action scenes! The swords are beautifully designed and the training the actors must have been through has to be admired. The tree fighting scene is sensational and a definite watch.
Watch it ifyou like fantasy in a realistic view of Taiwan culture.