NOT a masterpiece

Rating: 6/10 (26 August 2002)

I went to this movie with high expectations and had them more than fulfilled for a little while. The settings, scenery, sound, actors, pace, transported me to ancient China. The mystery plot was enticing, the characters subtle and interesting- a little hint of politics and sociology- I loved where it was going.
And then- NINJAS FLYING THROUGH THE TREES, KNIVES CAUGHT IN MID-FLIGHT, 18 FOOT HIGH BACK FLIPS. Suddenly I'm in a kung fu potboiler.
The story continued, of course, with interesting twists, considerable suspense, and several beautiful scenes.
But if only the action scenes had been, if not realistic, at least slightly plausible; then I think this film would have been an all-time great.