I didn't understand all the excitement

Rating: 7/10 (25 May 2005)

Before I begin, I must point out that I like samurai and martial arts movies. So I didn't watch this film with a negative mind set.
This movie is neither good nor bad--it has some of each aspect. First the bad. While MANY loved the bizarre and over-the-top action sequences (complete with wall walking and flying across the trees), I didn't. It only served to obscure the good writing, photography and acting. Many praised it, but it just seemed a little dopey--sort of like combining a kung fu movie with a Sylvester Stalone or Disney pic. Second, few films can match the hype surrounding it. By the time I saw it, my expectations were too high. I do like some of the old-time Hong Kong kung fu movies--in these films with cheesy special effects and over-the-top action, such excesses are to be expected. In a big-budget and more Western-oriented film, it all just seems out of place.
Now the good. It was a visually stunning movie and generally kept my interest. That's really about it. Maybe you'll like it, but I was left feeling amazingly flat and unimpressed.