not just another kung fu movie

Rating: 10/10 (21 March 2001)

It's almost impossible to find good things to say about this movie that haven't already been said hundreds of times. But I'll say them anyhow: it is epic, exhilirating, engaging, and utterly beautiful.
The major thing to understand about this film is that it is not really a kung fu movie in the traditional sense you'd expect. There's fight scenes, of course -- and they are beyond spectacular -- but for once they complement and enhance the storyline rather than replacing it. This is not another "hero learns kung fu, conquers all foes" movie. It is a Chinese fairytale; a Taoist parable writ large. Expect no simplistic good vs. evil tale here. You'll spend too much time trying to figure out who the "hero" is supposed to be.
Just one further note: don't be put off by the fact that the movie is subtitled. Some people refuse to watch foreign-language films just because they feel that having to read the subtitles is too distracting; but not to worry, by the time ten minutes have passed you'll have forgotten that the actors are speaking Mandarin at all.