Review of reviews

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 2002)

I read over 300 reviews. Here are my two cents. (1) If you cannot accept people can fly in a fantasy movie, it is your loss. The East accepts Lord of the Rings, Peter Pan and Super Man. Why it is so hard to accept the Eastern culture and fantasy? (2) If you only accept the Hollywood's formula of happy ending, it is your loss too. On the other hand, 'finding yourself' is Hollywood's idea. I do not like it but this movie is aimed at world audience.
(3) Ang Lee, Tan Dun, Yo-yo Ma and Chow Yun Fat are the most important men in their own fields in our generation. After 2 or 3 hundred years, their work still will be appreciated by our great grand children. Only a handful of Hollywood movies made today can claim the same. (4) There may not be a better performance by a new actor/actress as Zhang Ziyi in this movie even she is not recognized in Oscar - see how protective are Oscar's folks. (5) I like Coco's theme song than the one won the Oscar. It seems to be the same reason as #4 why it did not get an Oscar. (6) Who is the most beautiful woman in the movie? You're wrong. Chen Pu Pu is when she was younger. (7) Chow is a real actor and Jet Li is more a Kung Fu Master. Jet Li, the original choice, may not do that well in this movie that requires good acting. (8) Another HK actress more beautiful than Zhang was approached first for the role. She turned it down due to too much work for the money. Did she know she missed the chance of a life time? (9) HK is making this kind of movies since 1960s. Lee is credited in introducing to the general audience in the west but he did not create this kind of movie. On contrary to some users' view, I'm glad Lee did not introduce the culture from scratch as it would make the movie too boring. (10) Village Voice had a bad review on this movie. They had a point though I do not totally agree. However, some users gave this movie the worst rating with racial remarks. It reminded me of a Nazi's kid saying some movie is bad becuase there are so many Jewish names in the credit. (11) If this one is your first Kung Fu/ Fantasy movie from Asia and you like it, check out Iron Monkey, Chinese Ghost Story...