Poetically Beautiful, makes you want to fall in love with film all over

Rating: Null/10 (10 January 2001)

I will be the first to admit that the year 2000 has not been the best year for film. Films such as Charlie's Angels and such have been successful not because they are good, but because of their marketing. Again and again we get the "event" movie and again and again we walk out even more disappointed.
This film, however is different. This is clearly, by far, the best film of 2000, or if you like in the UK like me - this is the first best film of the 21st century (the 21st century started in 2001, not 2000!).#
Ang Lee's beautifully poetic, poigiant and brilliant film is wonderous to watch, marvel in and enjoy. The flying scene's might not be understood and indeed I heard a few "groans" in the back rows - after a while they disappeared, they realised that the flying scene's reflect the inner beauty of this film.
The story is not as cliched as it sounds, it revolves around the brilliant Chow Yun Fat and the mesmerizing Michelle Yeoh (who looks as stunning as ever) who try to keep their feelings away from each other. Their interactions are wonderously portrayed, especially from Yeoh - who's eyes seem to reflect the deep bottled up love to Chow.
The fight sequences are beautifully shot and cherographed. But the film isn't about fight sequences, just as it isn't about the comb. They are symbolic of the film.
The scenery, the backdrops and the whole feel of the film is one to fall in love with. Indeed I was captured by its warmth and its charm.
Even the young princess who believes in escaping to freedom and uses the jade sword to accomplish her quest is wonderous to watch, she seems to lift every scene she is in.
What Ang Lee has done is to reinvegerate a flagging genre by combining and intertwining Western ideals into Eastern ideals and in doing so reinvegerate the kung fu genre - for too long it has been a joke - and for too long its been the product of action films and not romantic films such as this - for too long the kung fu films have been all about action and not about plot or characterization - this film is all that and more.
But it isn't just a kung fu film - its a romantic film, its poetic and it has a message of being true to yourself and others - even if that means losing a chance at true freedom (salvation).
In some respects, this film is what the Phantom Menance, indeed what the whole Star Wars films should have been like.
With this film, is there any real need for the over the top, low budget kung fu action we have had for the past twenty so years? I don't think so - Ang Lee has forefilled the wishes of all those who read chinese books and poems - and all those who wanted a romantic, poetically brilliant film.
A truly beautiful and sublime film. Its certainly the best film I've ever seen - and one worth enjoying again and again.
My Rating: 10/10