Good film

Rating: 9/10 (27 August 2004)

Zhang Imou always gives us a visual feast and this legendary fantasy with Jet Li is no exception. From the standpoint of the expression of the mythic journey in Chinese culture, the conflicts of human passion and morality often take complex turns and varied appearances. The flashbacks work well, with the mendacity of the plot well integrated into the storyline. The movement of the tale develops slowly, deliberately, like the metaphoric calligraphy wrought by the warrior artists. The whole tale becomes a huge canvas upon which these intersecting plots mingle, change and emerge at the end. It's not perfect and there a few strands that do not get tucked away, but the film works and works well-- as long as you don't look at with the criteria of a Western drama, which several reviewers herein have done. To be sure, you can say anything damn thing you want in this commentaries but to stretch this fine piece of art on a board built for a Euro-American epic misses the point and renders a disservice in my view.
The film is visually satisfying with many wonderful moments of fine acting. Jet Li who often is cast in the protagonist role of a Rice Western, is superb in his controlled performance. I plan to see this film again on the big screen and get the DVD when it's available. I suggest the same for you.