wonderful, mystical tosh

Rating: Null/10 (30 August 2001)

Before I saw this movie I was told so many times how great this film was. When I left the theatre after seeing this movie I thought "what the hell are people seeing in this thing?" Now whenever I ask anyone who liked it WHY they liked it, they always come out with "Oh it was just a beautiful, magical movie" or something else vague like that they have heard and recycled.
True, if you can forgive and forget the story (or lack of), script, acting (except for the two leads) and fight scenes (has anyone worked out why these people can walk up walls and fly yet??) it is a pretty good film. But you must ask the question, was this a big hit just because it was a non American film being directed by an American schooled director? Had it have been directed by an equally gifted yet unknown local Chinese director, or if it had been directed in the States by an American and starring Americans, would it have gotten the reviews it has? I doubt it. *1/2 out of *****