Incredibly complex wuxia epic

Rating: 6/10 (29 May 2016)

Well, I'm not quite sure what to make of this film. Although it requires a certain suspension of disbelief (simply that, people who do martial arts can fly) it's not what I was expecting at all. Well, maybe a little. You see I was expecting some effects-laden, action-packed piece of chop-socky cinema, and instead what I got was a thoughtful, slow-paced yet deeply gripping human drama which goes for the heart. You see, this is an intensely complex film about destiny, conscience, one's place in society, true love, emotions and the need to hide them, plus lots more. It's impossible to describe all of the things that this film is about, suffice to say that Ang Lee intertwines the various plot threads seamlessly to create a fluid, well-paced movie. The two hour-odd running time flies by, in case there are any naysayers.
Two familiar faces take the leads in the cast, but the whole bunch are pretty good - especially the unknown Ziyi Zhang as the feisty, muddled teenage warrior who struggles to come to terms with her own adulthood. Taking the lead is Chow Yun-Fat, and once again he plays the coolest character ever. Michelle Yeoh - former Bond girl - is also surprisingly good as the intelligent, beautiful Yu Shu Lien who also happens to be a great fighter. The music is sufficiently epic, the photography gorgeous and scenes of mountains and forestry are, as stated elsewhere, breathtaking.
The action, when it comes, doesn't disappoint, mixing in some traditional Bruce Lee-style hand-to-hand combat with some very big, sharp-looking weapons and fluid wirework which makes the characters gracefully leap through the air mid-combat. My favourite fight is the final battle in the temple between Lien and Jen, where both combatants move impossibly fast and damn near wreck the place with their combined weaponry. However, there are only about five (extended) battle scenes in total, with the rest of the film concentrating on characterisation and furthering the plot. I won't spoil the ending, only to say that it's very good - and moving. My final words can only be, see it for yourself!