breath-taking

Rating: Null/10 (15 April 2003)

One thing that every viewer of this movie must keep in mind: it helps A GREAT DEAL to know about ancient Chinese History... without these basic knowledge, it is obvious that some people might criticize it from very irrelevant perspectives ranging from plot, script, etc etc. To explain it in a way that people (foreigners/westerners) can understand and appreciate would be an extremely difficult task... you must have the background to fully appreciate this movie for what it is.
I loved this film, it is intellectually, emotionally, and VISUALLY inspiring. A true work of film art, and most definitely NOT a martial arts flick. I guess if you really want to criticize it in the most basic sense, yes, the character development is lacking, and it is less personal and intimate as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, but that's because we've all watched the REDUCED LENGTH VERSION (90 mins), I wonder which smartas$ at Hollywood (Miramax I heard?) is responsible for cutting out the "slower parts" of this masterpiece - whatever high-quality crack he was smoking - it is disgraceful - an utter disgrace. You can show 3 hours of blood-drenched Gangs of New York, why not show this in full length? This version is way too short, and the highest score I'd give it 7/10, but once I watched the full length version, this may very well change.
Hollywood, like America in general, really needs to venture out more, and get to know and understand the world outside its own continent.