I should never have listened to the mainstream critics!!

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 2008)

This was sheer entertainment where the cast and crew create an improbable world that works as well as anything George Lucas has created. Though primed to dislike this movie by the critics, I admired every second of it. Somehow there's something real about the regular world vs other world theme. This is truly an achievement that many would give their eye tooth to match. This is no familiar drama, it's a wildly imagined and beautifully executed tour de force. These artists so thoroughly overwhelm any vision you might have from the comic book that there's no contest.
Perlman, not exactly the most likable of actors, is perfect down to every move he makes. You will leave wanting more, much more. And Selma Blair, always engaging, doesn't let the magic falter for a moment. Some of the fight scenes are as good, if not better, than anything I've ever seen in a regular Kung Fu extravaganza, and my only regret is that I didn't see this in the theaters, but on DVD. I blame the critics! A pox on their house!
This ensemble reached for something different. I've seen it attempted dozens of times but I've never seen it achieved so convincingly. I'm putting Guillermo del Toro up there with Ridley Scott and James Cameron, but, frankly, I loved everyone's performance. What a delight!