Beautiful, but very flawed

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2001)

To the Chinese population and the unknowing others:
Don't get too excited about the hype. We Chinese folk have seen these films before, where people fly around and do their kung fu. Now don't get me wrong. This film is beautifully shot, has great music, and the fight scenes are magnificent (Makes 'The Matrix' looks like PBS).
Here are the major problems:
1. The 2 main characters: Chow Yun Fat & Michelle Yeoh and another character - Lo - are Cantonese speakers. This movie is in Mandarin. It is a little difficult, a bit funny, and quite annoying listening to them speak. I didn't know if it was better to listen to them or watch the English translation.
2. The main part had meant to go to Jet Li, but he dropped out to do Romeo Must Die, so Chow Yun Fat got the role. Chow Yun Fat doesn't know martial arts, so he basically doesn't fight in the movie. The fight scenes are left to the women. And it makes you think how great the movie could have been if Jet Li was in it.
3. Michelle Yeoh is unbelievable behind the sword, but her acting is shallow. It often seemed as if she was a bit fake and just reading from a script.
4. The plot line is actually quite shallow, with the "we must find the sword and then fall in love" ordeal. Luckily the artistry and action overshadows it.
** Now, don't get me wrong. This is still a fantastic film. And to the non-Chinese, this will be a dazzling experience . . . unless you don't like people flying around on those invisible strings.