Maidgethma Wonderfully offbeat film!

StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

andrei-kivu Now, reading through the reviews here I see there are obviously two kinds of people: ones who get it, and ones who don't. Get what? one might ask. That this film is not to be taken seriously by any means. Yes, it's badly presented (myself too was expecting something in the vein of Hidden Dragon/Flying Daggers). But it has nothing to do with them whatsoever. What it is it's a romantic comedy/parody. Anyone looking for "action", "drama", "fight scenes", should look somewhere else. Of course, it's a weak film, but I kinda liked the goofiness of it. When I saw the copying files animation when a character was transferring her powers, I was like "ok, hold on, what is going on here?". Of course most of the attempts at comedy are pathetic. It is indeed a high-school comedy transported in medieval China. Everything works out at the end and you feel a warm feeling of completeness. Some (ok maybe one) of the dances of the blind man I found quite well done. I repeat - the film is a goofy little flick, easy too watch, hyper predictable. If you expect anything else from it you will be disappointed. And how funny life is - I don't know what curiosity pushed me to find a little more of the main actors. Oh boy. The main character - Cecilia Cheung involved in a major sex scandal?! To see the fearless warrior, White Dragon performing fellatio on a guy?! Oh, the irony.

revolutioner Saw this on a double bill with "Springtime in a Small Town".What an odd pairing!"Springtime" was a deliberately paced, beautiful period piece and "The White Dragon" was an in-your-face laugh riot.Another movie patron warned me that I would be wasting my time, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. Never laughed so hard at an Asian film!A lot of sight gags but Francis Ng's over the top performance won me over. Cecilia Cheung does a credible job as his foil.Certainly not "high art", but if you desire a little levity and silliness, you won't be disappointed.The late afternoon-evening that I spent watching these two films is one of my favorite solo adult experiences, so they'll always hold a place in my heart.

sarastro7 When I saw Cecilia Cheung for the first time in The Legend of Zu (2001), I was immediately struck (if not smitten) by her beauty, and I hurriedly started looking for her in other movies. After a bunch of modern-day dramas (slightly boring, truth be told), she's finally back in a fantasy martial arts epic, looking better than ever.I was immensely thrilled to find White Dragon, and I was elated as I saw the first twenty minutes of it. There is so much cool action, so many great laughs; so much delightful entertainment.The rest of the movie is not bad, but it slows down a great deal to focus on building up the love story. It has many of the same plot elements that other Asian movies of this type has; someone is blind (yet a superb kung fu master), the girl is betrothed to another but can't help falling in love with the hero (yes, just like in House of Flying Daggers), and the love story completely takes over the movie after about a half-hour opening of great action and comedy (the great 2002 comedy Chinese Odyssey had the exact same structure). This is a little disappointing; one would really have liked the action and comedy to be sustained throughout the movie.However, it's still an uproariously entertaining, beautiful and funny movie, and the actors all do an amazing job.8 out of 10.

Ruby Liang (ruby_fff) I chanced upon this film quite accidentally. It was double-billed with "Springtime in a Small Town" and lucky for me, simply enjoyed it wholeheartedly.This is a 'martial arts' film, told like a folklore, in period costumes and sets (prince and palaces), yet with modern touches noted in the dialog exchanges. Among the scenes of sword fights, kung fu artists jumping, flying around in woods and forests, rooftops and walls, there are constant witty banters and the use of pun on colloquial idioms and visual references. If you know Cantonese, you're bound to be readily giggling with delight the way the fun-poking lines being tossed around by the actors and actresses. There is an endearing casual rhythm to how the words are thrown out, matching the action or movement at hand. An example of a modern touch (probably recognized by anyone who's familiar with using computers and the Internet): the sign of 'downloading' on screen is being 'borrowed' (where the subtitle is) to denote transference of mastery power from one character to another (our heroine of the story played by Cecilia Cheung, to be specific). Hm, ain't it cool! I like "White Dragon" more than "House of Flying Daggers" - both had scenes of action sequences among trees and bamboo, a blind hero (in 'Dragon')/heroine (in 'House'), noble intentions - somehow the storyline is more substantial, lively and playful, and endearing in "White Dragon." There's no dispute as to how stylish the way "House of Flying Daggers" was cinematic ally presented, how lavish the costumes in colors and fluid in movements, yet like "Hero," there's a certain aloofness to director Zhang Yimou's two recent highly artistic filmic efforts (sort of precious but touch me not). While director Wilson Yip gave us a story that we can simply get down and literally rollick with the characters, laugh and cheer with them to the basic values of good triumphs over evil, and love can win and unite hearts.With "House" - we are kept at a distance, just watching in awe how beautiful Zhang Ziyi is and the sceneries and props. With "Dragon" - we get to jump in and be next to Cecilia Cheung's "Litte White Dragon," her spunk, swiftness and warm smiles, and Francis Ng's "A floor of Chicken Feathers," the personable blind assassin with heart, gentleness and quiet moves. The way the film is directed appeals to both young and old. Another modern approach example: the scene in the shop, the words uttered (subtitle translations) reminded me of moments in 'teenage' films like Tina Fey's "Mean Girls." Some might find the humor 'silly', while some may take it as comic relief with ease."(Little) White Dragon" (2004) is available on DVD - yes, NTSC ALL region, widescreen, DTS sound, 93 mins., subtitles English and Chinese. For more info, try a search on "White Dragon" "Wilson Yip 2004" or can check out Asian DVD stores online. If you want entertaining action and drama, fun and wit, charming romance, non-heavy-handed treatment, give this film a chance. A literal translation of the film's Chinese title can be: "Little White Dragon: Tempestuous Sea of Emotions." Other Zhang Yimou films worth seeing are: "Happy Times" (2001), "Not One Less"(1999), "Ju Dou" (1990), "Red Sorghum" (1987).