Kung Foo + Rashamon + Cool Cinematagrahy + Beautiful Music Hero

Rating: 10/10 (27 February 2003)

I've been waiting to see this movie since i first heard about it last year. i certainly was not disappointed. There are many things i like about this film. Its story, visuals, and music. The only thing that really didnt impress me is the acting.
Lets start with the good things. The kung foo was beautifly stylized much like that in crouching tiger, hidden dragon. A bit unrealistic but it certainly makes beautiful eye candy. The story was good, epic style, and told in a simlar fashion to the akira kurusawa movie rashamon. The story's love threads certainly make some scenes with high emotion. Music, is simply beautiful. It lend and ear to the epic feel of this movie but also calms it down and makes it surreal. is mostly in the background. But its brought into the chess house fighting scene.
The thing that impressed me most is the visual style. Most of the film was recolored or desaturated to fit the mood of that particlar scene. Many of the fight scenes have cg or other visual elements adding to its beauty. I love the part where the leaves change to rose petals marking the death of one of the characters.
i cant say anything bad about this film.. i liked it too much..
Anyway... Mirmax will be releaseing it to the big screen in the US this coming november. If you cant wait. Just look around for it.