Pure Absolute Magic and Nothing Less

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2001)

This film is amazing. These are four of the truest words I have ever written. The choreography, the acting, the imagery, the music, everything just tied together for a magical motion picture. I was transported to the world of China, a tale of derring-do and a clash of good and evil. The entire movie took my breath away. First off, it is much more than just a kung-fu movie. It has the breadth and the depth of any drama I've ever seen. Second, this movie is absolute fantasy, where the heroes can fly with just the thought of it, gods and goddesses among the mortals. You won't even notice you can't understand Mandarin Chinese because the actors emote in so many different ways. And the characters are great. Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and his stoic manner, and his tragic inability to express his love to Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh, who has never looked better), Jen (Zhang Ziyi) and her untamed power and irreverence towards the old traditions, and Jade Fox who thirsts for revenge. This movie is excellence undiminished and I will recommend this movie over ANYTHING ELSE thats out currently. Do yourself an enormous favor and see this masterpiece. Movies like these keep film an art form.