if you can put the politcs aside... this film is stunning

Rating: 7/10 (31 May 2006)

I have been thinking about it and now I edit my previous review and lower the score of this film from 8 to 7. I understand those who attack this film because of the political meaning... but it is just impossible to deny that as an artistic expression it is stunning. Sometimes it is hard to judge if something is beautiful or not because of the political background.
The fact is, the amazing work of photography and detail of the film is just too amazing, the music helps this film making it even more memorable, and the acting and the special effects are also great. I agree that there is a nationalistic message in this movie, but even I detest nationalism and I adored this film... why? because I didn't focused on that, but in the beauty of the film itself, on the colors, the sounds, the flowing and the time. The emperor isn't the main character in this film. I feel the main characters are broken sword, the nameless warrior and Flying Snow... they are the ones that carry the meaning of the film, and not the empire idea... tho it would have been even better if nameless had kill that tyrant... well, enjoy the film.
It is always easy to question the politics because they are (maybe by definition) dirty and egoistic... but we cannot question that the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall, Chichen Itza, the Gothic cathedrals, The Taj Majal, etc. even if built under very questionable political control, are great states of art. But come on, I am not comparing this film with them of course, I just want you to understand that the politics should be put on the back. I think this film is beautifully made, and that it contains valuable messages, you just have to separate what it really matters from what does not.