MUBI

Ang Lee’s tribute to the wuxia genre is an all-star extravaganza that goes beyond mere tribute into the lofty heights of literal reinvention, and it remains the best of the countless offspring it inspired. When famous swordsman Chow Yun Fat decides to give up his sword for a more transcendental life, a new warrior comes on the scene to steal his sword; this new warrior, played by breakout star Zhang Ziyi, is the disciple of Chow’s sworn enemy, and the crux of the plot sees Chow trying to turn the talented newcomer to his side, with the help of unrequited flame Michelle Yeoh. The dueling love plots (including a second with Ziyi and handsome desert warrior Chen Chang) blend nicely with all of the meticulous fighting scenes, which is probably the main reason this was such a big hit in the west; it catered to action fans, foreign film fans, and most importantly, to women looking to find some romance between all of the flying and sword clashing, and especially in Chow and Yeoh’s aching, longing relationship, they get something impossibly romantic, and a touch of tragic as well.