mmushrm
I was horribly disappointed by this movie. The opening sequence was good. Even the initial plot line of a power struggle and intrigue with the royal family. Then a love story gets introduced and the entire movie changes into an absolute mess. Mind you, I am not against love stories intersected into the plot line but this turned to movie into a melodramatic mess. (taking a ride in just invented (by her lover in the bush) hot air balloon, giving up the throne, the slaughter of everyone close to her etc etc). Basically when this movie ended I basically threw away the DVD. The only redeeming quality of this movie is some of the visuals but its not worth the pain of watching the movie, especially the aggrav of the ending.
J_Charles
Summary: It wants to be an epic, it wants to be an action movie, it wants to be a love story. It switches gears and does all three in mediocre fashion.Positives: - great backdrops for some of the scenes - a far cry from the older Chinese movies where sets and scenes were an afterthought - battle scene was better than expectedNegatives: - the 3 part storyline was predictable and not all that exciting - the acting - see my message board post about the unintentionally hilarious climax - fake CGI rain looked really really fakethe scenery gives it a passing grade.
bark-21
The Mandarin was better spoken than in the past even for those that have heavy Cantonese accents. Nothing like the rushed HK movies that one view wrote about. Must have been watching the cartoon version. More like Hero and more likable ending (spoiler) although all the Empress lovers die in the end it was still memorable. I am tired of one thing in these movies is the hero's constantly dying. Other than that I really enjoyed this movie. The Legend of the Black Scorpion has the same type ending but this one you feel for the Heroen almost all the way through the movie.Being somewhat optimistic in life affords me the feeling that this is how things should be.As for a slow story plot. What the heck are they talking about. Story line is consistent and in order. Gives you enough information about the past so you can understand the present.What a goofball trying to rate this as something other than a good effort. Thanks, more in line of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon except the cliché of flying warriors. Realistic for the most part. I am not to much into the Armies facing each other on the field and everyone going at it but it gives you a base to understand the ending.The last part though is that this is yet another movie that tries to tie the unity of China as one country, one people. Eh, it still felt good though.
chenyiaero
Someone will point out the plot has some flaws, yet it doesn't matter for me to enjoy one of the most exciting two hours in my life! The movie is full of bold imagination, amazing depiction of ancient wars and the great actions of superhero. Donnie Yen in the last scene is just the Mars and there have never been a character in the cinematic history as heroic as him! You will be touched to cry when Leon Lai and Kelly Chen ride the fire balloon to watch such a splendid landscape of beautiful China! The scene that Leon Lai is going to fly with his fire balloon and Kelly Chen hurried to catch up with him, with the accompany of the Orphean strains of the theme song, will become one of the most romantic scenes in Chinese cinematic history! Believe me, take your beloved to watch this movie at weekend and you will love each other more!
AD
