Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

Supelice Dreadfully Boring

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Claire Dunne One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

JLW This is one of those movies that you can tell is trying to be good but ends up being mediocre. There is a love story that is way out of place during a war between the Yan and the Zhao, a love triangle between Donnie Yen, and an ambitious Nephew who will seem to do anything to take over the throne. All of these stories could be well off on their own, but the director doesn't explore either to a satisfaction. Martial arts fans will see a duel between Leon Lai and Donnie Yen, but it feels like it was just placed there just for the sake of having them fight each other. There is good stuff here, but it is rushed and clichéd to the point where it feels like you are buying one of those TV drama DVD sets.

al bundy i gave this movie 2 thumbs up. definitely an excellent movie, not considered romantic, but rather heroic, loyalty and teaches golden values in life. Donnie Yen is an excellent martial artist. i always have respect for him. it's always a pleasure to see him playing as a good man in movies. he deserves recognition in the States. i got tired of watching Jet Li & Jackie Chan all the time. no offense, but they are very very fun to watch, too. Kelly Chen is adorable, a quiet but strong character. and of course, it's good to see Leon Lai. no matter what other negative commentators, this movie is waaaay better than those of US' crappy scary movies such as: chainsaw, haloween, chucky, etc that has no points but repeating the same thing over and over again.

ajpudlo-1 WELL WORTH THE WATCH! Some may point out its flaws with reality, but that is not what the movie is about. It is an intense, well choreographed fantasy about feuding nations, betrayal, and the love story caught in the middle that almost all war movies have. The action scenes along with the amazing design details in the armor and weapons are what really makes the film. You will definitely not go wrong in watching this movie. The major critique that I have is that the love story seemed a bit weak and disconnected from the rest of the plot. They did attempt to incorporate it within the background of the characters, but it just moved too quick to really convince me.

incubrus Basically this movie has a plot typical a romance epic genre. But I don't care much about the story. My only reason watching this flick is because Donnie Yen. The direction seriously damaged by lack of exploration by the filmmaker. This is not movie quality direction rather much like a TV series quality. Very disappointing. The pace is inconsistent, the romantic scenes very immature and lame, there no intensity on the battle scenes at all. The characterization on the bad guys very cheaply done. It's like they are yelling at the audience, "I'm the bad guy, look at my evil expressions, very bad ain't it". Overall this flick is very disappointing. 4/10