Great epic: Chineses style

Rating: Null/10 (13 January 2003)

To those who shun this film due to its supposedly hidden Communist agenda, I've but one comment: learn. The tradition of historical martial art fantasy has become a powerful unifying force for all Chinese-speakers world wide. People with different political mindsets can embrace this genre equally because in it lies a connection to the glorious past of the Middle Kingdom. Call it escapism if you will, but we are indeed in the age of wizards and elves and hobbits with a vague nostalgia for simpler days. At first doubtful of Director Zhang YiMou's ability to handle this genre, I was pleasantly surprised by his ability to create a piece of art that's complemented by great sword play. And at the heart of his artistry is China's cultural arrogance--not a governmental scheme to brainwash people. Before a time of unity, confusion and chaos reigned. Doesn't that describe a lot of places and times in history? People shed blood and made personal sacrifices to bring about change and to harbinger more peaceful days, isn't this a merely human reaction to confusions and chaos? Well, what beautiful reactions Zhang YiMou gave us with his assassins.