Stunningly beautiful film hides weaknesses

Rating: 7/10 (7 November 2004)

Sumptuous is the word that springs to mind when watching this particular film, and it is truly stunningly beautiful to look at. The choreographed fight scenes between the Nameless Hero and the various would be assassins are spectacular, the stunning military scenes with the casts of thousands, the arrival at court etc leave you gasping for breath (the particular fight scene between Nameless and Sky in a very rainy and wet tavern is particularly stunning, even though virtually everything is various shades of grey!).
It does, however, lose itself. Told in a series of flashbacks, there is little in way of character development. There are few opportunities to identify with any of the characters (with maybe the exception of Moon, Broken Sword's young servant) - consequently there is little in the way of emotional involvement. Final result is one of merely 'watching' rather than being drawn in. There are too many one on one fight scenes, particularly early on, and, wonderous though they are, I found myself thinking 'not another one' as Hero faced Snow yet again in combat.
I may have been overgenerous with a 7 marking as I did leave disatisfied, but on reflection, it was spectacular to watch on a giant screen.