Aside from romantic side trips are themes of good, evil, death, vengeance, forgiveness and redemption. In doing so, he develops a well-rounded tale. At times the movie teeters on being too melodramatic, but smart, understated performances by Yeoh and Chow bring it back from the brink. The acting is refreshingly mellow, a break from the cartoonish overacting of so many other martial arts hits. Yo Yo Ma lends cello solos to a beautiful soundtrack.
Subtitles are bright and easy to read without overpowering the scenes.
These touches combined with Lee's deft hand roll into a movie that's easily the fullest martial arts spectacle ever put to film.