Stunningly filmed, martial arts adventure.

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2001)

I'd heard so much good about this film prior to watching it. Like so many hyped-up films(i.e. the Matrix) I've seen before, I was almost expecting to be disappointed. However this film delivered-it has a engaging plot, fleshed out characters, brilliant action sequences and beautiful cinematography.
The plot involves themes such as honour, duty, love and treachery. The story also creates the atmosphere of a forgotten age of warriors, assassins and nobles in 18th century feudal China. This type of storytelling is something that Western audiences haven't seen in a long time!
Despite any griping arguments about the film containing English subtitles as opposed to dubbing, the Chinese language is not a barrier. The characters are interesting enough to hold your attention and convey humour and their emotions well. The landscapes used in the film create a sense of awe and beauty, and the fight scenes are spectacular, if not a little silly looking in places; some explanation of Chi power may have placed the floating in context!!
However the film is a brilliant experience, with sequences which stay in the viewer's mind seconds, minutes, hours, days after the film has been seen. The benchmark for future martial arts films has now been set!