I couldn't stand this movie

Rating: Null/10 (20 June 2002)

This movie wowed the critics and audiences alike in America and is a major disappointment in China. I hate to say it but I agree with the Chinese. Maybe the description as a romantic martial-arts epic should have been enough warning.	Chow Yun Fat is the aging warrior who decides to hang up his sword apparently to begin hanging out with his female counterpart, Michelle Yeoh. On her last mission she takes the super-sword to the hours of their leader and it is promptly stolen by a female ninja. Chow shows up and they get the sword back after quickly figuring out it was stolen by the spoiled brat daughter of, I think, the Governor. It seems her governess is the under-cover Jade Fox, the villain who killed Chow's master. Now Chow is out for revenge on Jade Fox and at the same time offering to teach the daughter because he sees unlimited potential. Super warrior Michelle Yeoh is pining away for Chow and there is a desert pirate who has come to town looking for the daughter, who is about to be forced into marriage, because they love each other.	AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH...This was ridiculous. First there was no chemistry between Chow and Michelle. Second there were too many story-lines competing to the detriment of the whole. Third a good portion of this was shot at night in what was supposed to be ancient China which meant, you got it, limited light thus limiting the ability to see. Fourth the martial arts scenes were sorely lacking. Sure the choreography was great when they were on the ground but they were so over the top with the wire work that it quickly became something out of a comic book and a bad comic book to boot. Fifth ---

SPOILER ALERT--and I must warn you if you intend to see this joke of a movie this could ruin the ending--SPOILER ALERT--

why do women consider romances to be about either someone dying or cheating on another person? At least in this one the cheating aspect wasn't there but two of the main characters do die in the end. But hey, it was a romantic death.	GARBAGE