top end modern Chinese cinema. Has all elements of visual, auditory and literary entertainment, truly a high budget movie that stands well above the usual junk produced from HongKong. It can be watched over and over without boredom; has detailed emotional nuances and music to match. Comparable to AMerican classics such as DR zhivago, Ben Hur, etc . A serious instrospective on how the Chinese people think and behave.
What's great about it: excellent visuals, beatiful music and well spoken Mandarin, a reference not only for art but for language, culture
What's not so great: hand to hand combat scenes stylized not realistic