Visually impressive but a bit too hyperactive for me

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2001)

I was terribly slow to get to the theater for this much-heralded Best Picture nominee but was quite pleased to finally see it this afternoon. This film actually seemed a bit too short for the range of locations that it reveals in the course of its convoluted plot. I was a bit stymied that a tie-in book or novelization hadn't been published to promote this studio release; generally, I do like to review the original material before seeing the film version. Several of the director's previous films (RIDE WITH THE DEVIL, SENSE & SENSIBILITY, and THE WEDDING BANQUET) prepared me for his masterful use of "big" scenes. The delightful "choreographed" fight scenes evoked the same awe that I felt while viewing the very parallel THE MATRIX. The highly charged conflicts between the forces for good versus evil were similarly refreshing if highly fantastic and distant from any realistic customary movie. The striking clash of aggressive female leads predominates as the retrieval of "Green Destiny" to its male "owners" stays in secondary position when all is said and done. This is a 10/10 film for its superb visual accomplishments. In a longer version with additional scenes to explain some of the plot's energetic 180 degree changes, the hyperactive attributes would be less taxing. Still, it's well worth the flying without a seat belt attraction! ! !