Never seen a film like it: breathtaking cinematic fusion

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2001)

Riveting. From the opening scene to the last, each frame of film is compelling -- first for the raw beauty of the scenes, characters and costumes and for its cinematographic excellence, but also for the intensity in story telling, the jaw-dropping fight choreography, and the way that the film unfolds in such a way that it is nearly impossible to predict the ending.
For the fighting scenes, which are spectacular, the "wire fu" techniques are used to heighten the film's sense of mystery and esoteric, ancient fighting techniques -- the manuals for which have been stolen by the antagonist. Not all of the fighting relies on wire work, such as the swordplay fighting scene between young Jen Yu (ZiYi Zhang) and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) in the practice room at Yu's headquarters. The footwork and speed alone is breathtaking. The wire work, used more judiciously here, adds mystique and a sense of magic and wonder.
See it. You won't be disappointed. Even the fact that it is all in Chinese with English subtitles works well in this film. Yo Yo Ma's haunting cello work in the soundtrack helps solidify an already magnificent bit of film.

-- Tom Regner