Pretty picture but typical Hong Kong film

Rating: 1/10 (1 September 2004)

The only reason why I am commenting is because this movie is currently opening all across the US. I saw this movie about 2 years ago when I was on a business trip to Hong Kong. First of all, I am not a fan of the martial arts film where people are flying all over the place, regardless how pretty it might seem. Second, I generally like realism in my martial arts movies, although I love those Hong Kong martial arts movies from the 1970's and 1980's. I can accept certain amount of exaggeration for action sake but not flying like Superman.
If you like Crouching Tiger Hidden Tiger, then you should like this movie although the former movie, in my opinion, had more of a story than this movie.
For those of you who do not know about Chinese history, around 500 BC to 300 or so BC, was called the warring states. China had splintered into various feudal kingdoms with constant warfare being the norm. Towards the latter part of this period, one kingdom began to dominate the others, which would eventually unify all of the feudal kingdoms. Some of these kingdoms sent assassins to kill the future emperor of China. One of the assassins is played by Jet Li. His mission is to kill this new leader of this powerful kingdom.
This type of martial arts movies have great cinematography but that is about it for me. I am more partial to martial arts films such as Yojimbo or Game of Death. Therefore, if you are like me and do not like martial artist flying like Superman, avoid it, but if you liked Crouching Tiger Hidden Tiger, then go see. Better yet, go to your neighborhood Asian video store near you and rent it. They should have it given this movie was release in other parts of the globe 2 years ago. I am not sure if your Blockbuster video would carry this because the movie is currently playing in US theaters.