A different cinematographic language.

Rating: 5/10 (27 January 2002)

I once commented on Bruce Lee's superlative martial arts skills at my local video rental store, when a customer replied that if I wanted to see some real martial arts, I should watch CTHD. Expecting to see just that, I was very, very disappointed. Apart from beautiful scenery and good acting I just couldn't get into this movie because the fighting and flying scenes, which were so contradicting any notion of martial arts that I have that I just couldn't take this movie seriously. I cannot believe people who comment on this movie as being one of the best martial arts movie of the last decade. Maybe because I had training in martial arts that my viewpoint differs, but I can't imagine someone defying gravity for extended periods of time no matter how much training you've had. Everybody manages to see the emperor's new clothes, I just can't. Apart from that, CTHD is in a cinematographical language that's unfamiliar to me. I still believe Bruce Lee's fighting techniques are among the best ever put on film. To those who want to see good fighting scenes, I'd recommend any of his films or documentaries featuring Shaolin monks. But please, not CTHD!