This movie has widely been regarded as one of the best fantasies to come out of Hong Kong. That's quite an honor, keeping in mind many of the other well-known fantasy films that came out of HK. The movie indeed is style over substance, and there are many great moments...visual moments that will leave the inexperienced HK viewer in sheer awe. However, in spite of the many great moments, this movie is not necessarily what it has been made out to be.
The main problems exist with the action scenes. They are choreographed by Ching Siu Tung, whose credits include the Swordsman series, A Chinese Ghost Story, and Dr. Wai, to name a few. The action scenes are much too short and the sword fights look like exhibitions, there's no intensity in them. Also, there is little real martial arts in the whole film. Michelle Yeoh's talents are essentially wasted (except in a quick fight w/ Anthony Wong at the beginning).
There are some great moments in this film. Anita Mui running across the telephone wires, the flying motorcycle in the train station, and such. The wire work and cinematography is very good and almost awe-inspiring at times. The special FX are pretty good as well.
This movie is a lot like Swordsman II. There's a lot of awesome visions and visual delights, but the action lacks any intensity and the talents of the leads are wasted (both Jet Li in Swordsman II and Michelle Yeoh in this). In the end, the film is entertaining but is essentially overrated for what it is.
The main problems exist with the action scenes. They are choreographed by Ching Siu Tung, whose credits include the Swordsman series, A Chinese Ghost Story, and Dr. Wai, to name a few. The action scenes are much too short and the sword fights look like exhibitions, there's no intensity in them. Also, there is little real martial arts in the whole film. Michelle Yeoh's talents are essentially wasted (except in a quick fight w/ Anthony Wong at the beginning).
There are some great moments in this film. Anita Mui running across the telephone wires, the flying motorcycle in the train station, and such. The wire work and cinematography is very good and almost awe-inspiring at times. The special FX are pretty good as well.
This movie is a lot like Swordsman II. There's a lot of awesome visions and visual delights, but the action lacks any intensity and the talents of the leads are wasted (both Jet Li in Swordsman II and Michelle Yeoh in this). In the end, the film is entertaining but is essentially overrated for what it is.