You're kidding...right?

Rating: 1/10 (16 September 2002)

This is one of the top 40 movies ever made?!? I must have seen a different "Wo hu cang long" than the rest of you, because the one that I saw was the most cliched, derivative, BORING "action" film I have seen...ever.
The first time I saw this move was in April of 2001, toward the end of its American theatrical run. I had bought into the hype, had placed it near the top of my Oscar predictions, and awaited finally being able to see it for myself with baited breath.
And then I saw it.
Big mistake.
Every plot "twist" was visible from the time the plot catalysts were introduced. Anyone who DIDN'T know who the thief was from his/her first non-masked appearance needs to have his/her head checked. The love stories were forced and unnatural. The action scenes, while visually impressive, were physically mediocre. Without the use of wires, this movie would have been something that the gang on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" would have lampooned. And they still should, regardless.
Yes, it was visually innovative. But to call this movie "breathtaking?" "Beautiful?" "Great?" No. No no no.
The fact that this movie currently sits at #40 on the Top 250 of all-time list frightens me in a very real way. It doesn't just chip away at my belief that movie audiences are sophisticated enough to realize a bad, if stylized movie. It takes a sledgehammer to the notion.
So, please do NOT see this movie, and if you do, PLEASE don't let the comments of others sway your view. This movie was bad. It was very bad. Importing it was a big mistake. Nominating it for Oscars was a mistake. Voting it into the top 40 movies of all-time? VERY big mistake.
Get the idea?