Beautiful and daring

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2004)

I had my doubts with this film at the start because every movie coming in to theaters in America has a standard of trying to out-do movies like the films before them in the same genre. So having seen Croutching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the Matrix and every other major, "good" movie that hit hard in theaters a million times or more ripped-off in other movies (parodies or not), I was hoping hard for this film to be a stand-out film. I was not let down, though.
This film is one word: loud. Loud colors and loud sound effects. Loud emotions and seriousness in each of the actors/actresses. Loud and huge sets. Deep and wonderful. Jet Li needs to put his efforts in more films like this one. I loved the "dreamscape" shots with their impossible physics and vivid, colorful crispness. The director had a great vision and created a purely honorable and respectful film for the rest of the industry.
I'm not sure of the origins of this story (either imaginary or factual) so I can't say whether the story was more appealing. Rather intriguing, nonetheless. Definitely a DVD to own when it comes out.