Spellbounding gravitational spectacle!

Rating: 9/10 (17 May 2004)

Phenomenal martial-arts epic, bravely charged with ground breaking suspended gravitational sequences. With a prolific derivation from Wang Du Lu novel, Taiwanese director Ang Lee brings to the screen his childhood fascination of the 'wuxia' tales of the 1960's. The central plot features Li Mu Bai [Chow Yun Fat] as a famed swordsman desired proclamation to retire his sword 'The Green Destiny', enter Jade Fox [Cheng Pei Pei] and her young protégé, high-flying assassins who's dire claim for the sword. Filmed entirely in Mandarin with a harrowing score by famed cellist Yo Yo Ma, and jaw dropping fight sequences by Yuen Wo Ping [The Matrix-1999]. An Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film salutes this spectacle of grandeur, as it holds the record as the highest grossing foreign language film. A minor featured role by actor Sihung Lung has once again collaborated with director Ang Lee, other films include Pushing Hands [1992], The Wedding Banquet [1993], Eat Drink Man Woman [1994].