over the top (not just literally)

Rating: 8/10 (7 February 2001)

Well, as one who grew up watching the traditional kung-fu movies, especially the Jackie Chan and Jet Li series of movies, I am very accustomed to well-choreographed yet extravagant scenes, especially. But this, well it was more than over the top. In a serious film, the choreography does not fit into the film at all. It seems to parody all those great kung-fu classics, and would be more suited to a film that does. And before you ask, I felt the same thing in the Matrix. The stunts unfortunately detracts one's attention too much from the story. People leave the theatre talking of the stunts and not of the story, which is a real shame. The plot could have been slightly better executed, and with a better put together screenplay, where the story flowed a bit more, it certainly could be classified as an all-time classic. But overall, this has to be the best kung-fu movie since the Bruce Lees. And thoroughly deserves the Oscar nominations...