I guess the West will like this. But for someone who grew up watching martial arts flicks, this movie was just laughably overstylised. I mean, what’s with all the falling red leaves, shower of arrows and flailing of arms to fend off those arrows? I actually laughed out loud when Tony Leung was writing the word “sword” for Jet Li (mmm… nice hair, nice enough for a shampoo ad). Much as I love Tony Leung as an actor, that part was just plain ludicrous (apart from the many other lol moments in the movie).

Credit must be given to the script though, which I thought used a pretty refreshing mode of storytelling. I also appreciate the bold use of colours in the various scenes. Very stunning. But… why did Zhang Yimou have to make them fight the way they did? When ancient swordsmen start moving like Neo in the Matrix, they don’t look smooth. They just look like they were wired up by amateurish technicians.

Maybe I’ve missed something, but imho, a masterpiece it’s not.

One of the most beautiful films I have ever seen, combined with an interesting story that unfolds with unexpected twists. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the unbelievability of some of the fight scenes. I can swallow most of them and enjoy them for the art that they are, but a few (the arrow scene and the leaf scene mostly) were more ludicrous than magical. But overall the film was an unexpected pleasure.

i have checked this out from the lib. three times now and third time was a charm. i thought the colors and the fluidity of the film were wonderful. the fights scenes were beautiful. unbelieveable but beautiful.

why are people raving about this? It’s pretty mediocre, although the visuals are good.

This is absolutely my favorite film! It’s so beautiful that I can’t help but to cry every time I watch it.

Absolutely stunning visual masterpiece. Recommended.

More from me about this on 43Things – I can’t be bother copying and pasting.

I was lucky to see this in the theater and would like to see it again. It is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful movies you will see.

I really enjoyed the use of color in this movie.