Colorful lively visuals, dull lifeless story. What a shame.

Rating: 3/10 (11 September 2004)

The concept of flashbacks being told through different version was a disaster. It didn't flow naturally thanks to the tiring atmosphere. Same nonstop over-dramatic music that got to my nerves (very contrived and expects sappy music would win my emotions on cue, pfff, you'll have to do better than that). Symmetrical and colorful cinematography was impressive but played out too much. (More style than substance). The transitions to the present and past were sloppy too cause of the same gloomy tone of voice and simple choppy dialogue (although I think the Western distributors are to blame for that). The philosophy was typical. "Sword fighting and (insert any non-violent art form) are the same". There were too many pointless "pissing-contest" fights, which were too slick and unrealistic.
Maybe I was expecting too much. I shouldn't expect much from anything in Century Theaters though. Also, like 70% of this movie is slow motion. Very unnecessary and tasteless. It's like adding too much wine in whatever someone cooks with wine. It's supposed to be exquisite, but becomes disgusting in large uncalled for volumes.
This is not timeless classic material. I'm a big Asian cinema fan and felt this was just a flashy movie for pseudo-intellectual Americans to eat up and brag about how they're not stupid for not watching whatever mind-numbing Hollywood filth there is. Then they all pat themselves on the back for reading subtitles. This is Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon mania all over again.
Colorful lively visuals, dull lifeless story. What a shame. Will amaze anybody that's new to this genre though/Century Theater mall-boppers in denial.