Great, but not spectacular

Rating: 2/10 (10 February 2001)

I fail to understand what all of the hubub is about. Granted, this was a very well done movie, but it does not to deserve to be in the top 10 of IMDB's top 250. This movie is nothing compared to greats such as the Godfather and the Shawshank Redemption. The only thing this movie has going for it is the beautiful cinematography and great choreography. China is a magnificent country and its splendor is really well shown in this movie. Also, the fight scenes here make The Matrix look like it was shot in the backyard with an 8mm camera. The people are actually fighting and trying out different moves rather than trying to clap hands (which is what it often looks like in The Matrix).
However, the good things end there. The plot is rather convoluted (some small SPOILERS coming up). A great warrior decides to give up fighting, gives away his sword which is stolen, then recovered, then stolen again, and recovered again. Along the way we meet a girl who doesn't want to get married because she loves someone she met in the desert. Not overly remarkable. According to David Mamet, a movie must rest on plot. Cinematography is a plus, but not essential. The test for a great movie is if you could close your eyes and listen to it, would you still like it? This movie fails that simple test. Great scenery and action can NEVER substitute for a weak plot.