The good news and the bad news.

Rating: 8/10 (19 June 2008)

Here's the good news: this film has finally brought much-deserved attention to Chinese film-making, and for that I am very grateful. The bad news is that it's a shame that it took Chow Yun Fat and the martial arts angle to make Chinese movies accessible to mainstream audiences. While this is definitely a quality film (it has especially beautiful direction and photography), it is still sub-standard when compared to some other Chinese films of recent years. If this was your first Chinese film and you enjoyed other features besides the martial arts/fantasy (e.g. the lovely storytelling, the expressive faces, passionate emotions, and gorgeous backdrops), then put these other Chinese movies on your list of must-sees: ""Xiu Xiu", "Raise the Red Lantern", "To Live", "The Story of Qui Ju", "Not One Less", "Temptress Moon", "Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker", and "Farewell My Concubine." If you liked Michelle Yeoh, you will love Gong Li. The bottom line is that Chinese films are in a league of their own. Compared to most of the Hollywood big studio stuff out there, this film shines. Compared to the films I've listed above, it's just pretty good.