Impressive, yet flawed

Rating: Null/10 (10 September 2003)

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** This movie is simply beautiful to watch, it is probably the best looking martial arts film ever made. The music is also very impressive. But where I started to lose interest was 2/ 3 into the movie after re-watching the same events over and over from the different point of views. I don't feel that the multiple flash backs held as much interest as those in Rashomon did over the long run. When you watch the 2 lover skilling each others the first time it's poignant, after 3 times you become desensitized, and after you realize even the LAST flash back was false and they both commit suicide (sort of) on the mountain top, you don't feel as much as you ought to. This being said I still loved it and it's highly recommended for any fans of Chinese culture (even more so than for fans of martial arts; this movie has a very peaceful, zen-like philosophy that I found very appealing).