What a breathtaking film! It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Rating: 10/10 (18 March 2001)

I saw the movie a few weeks ago and decided to see it for the second time at the theater. I don't remember when was the last time I did that for a movie. But waiting for the DVD release is just too long a wait. And it turned to be even better than the first time! There are so many exquisite details of the film can only be enjoyed without worrying about reading the subtitles. And the fight sequences are just as breathtaking as the first time. They always started out with a slow steady drum beat then doubled the speed and just getting faster and faster, then stopped at the climax on a loud accent beat! Like a piece of visual music, it's brilliant! The images of the two swordsmen in white soared into a sea of green bamboo forest at the end of the movie is an instant classic in movie history.
I've never expected everyone would have a unanimous feeling about this movie. Like any other movies, there will be always people who love this movie and those who just don't get it. But it puzzles me to see the number of people showed such a hostility (and just plain nasty attitude) towards such an artistic achievement. I have no doubt that only time will prove it: 15 or 20 years from now, this movie will still be remembered, but NOT the rest of this year's Best Picture Nominees. That's the difference between a timeless classic and a short lived sensational.