A hint more believability wouldn't hurt

Rating: 5/10 (16 January 2005)

Firstoff let me say that this movie is visually stunning! The cinematography, set dressing, costumes, props and sets were all simply "off the charts". The rain drops, the flowing drapery, the leaves blowing in the wind - all of it was simply enchanting.
But... there just isn't much substance to the rest of it.
Why must we completely suspend any sense of the rational in order to watch this? This is my same complaint with "Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon", must we abandon any comprehension of the basic laws of physics? People don't fly, or float suspended in midair or run across water - no matter how skilled they may be in the martial arts. I personally feel the films would benefit GREATLY by making the characters a little more real and subject to the laws of gravity and motion that everyone else has to live within.
And then there's the actual story. Lots of somber moments of introspection and vapid bits of David Carrodine "Kung Fu" -esque philosophy. "I have looked at the calligraphy and now comprehend the essence of the universe" - Yeah, uh huh.
Maybe it's the genre I don't care for. I dunno. I really love the overall look of the film, I'm just disappointed that so little is done with it. Lots of meaningless fighting, a bit of pseudo, inscrutable Asian philosophy, and an ultimately, pretty shallow story.
It could have been so much more with just a little bit better writing.