Wall

filmisrelevant

8May12

One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Left me crying a river at the end.

As an exercise in colour and motion - Zhang’s usual tropes - it’s a splendorous success. But it’s also a much more understated wuxia, starkly contrasting the epic Shakespearean melodrama and largesse of Curse of the Golden Flower, and ultimately treading a fine line between tenderness and languor in its blossoming romanticism amidst the twisting espionage backdrop. Also visibly overbaked in dashes elsewhere, it emerges as a weaker effort, though not devoid of spark and still feating Ang Lee’s comparably themed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Tisa

3Oct11

I liked everything about this film, except it lost coherence in the end and completely forgot about the conflict between the government and the House of the Flying Daggers. It seems as if these people think that the audience, when faced with a love story, will forget about everything else.

drnuttall

25Sep11

genius.

Katman_C

7Sep11

the scenery the action scenes the costume's all add up to this being a real joy to watch

Dave

20Aug11

The story isn't as compelling to me as Hero, but the visuals are every bit as awe-inspiring. Zhang is a master visual stylist and uses colors better than anyone I can think of.

Robert Regan

23Feb12

Zhang is one of my favorites, but I prefer movies in which people don't fly.

Elisou

3Aug11

I read in some interview that the snow in the final scene wasn't planned at all. It gives such a special rendering, I thought it was fake and done on purpose. And now, I couldn't picture the film without it. Thanks Mother Nature!

Tisa likes this

Adam Eisentrout

8Apr11

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! A visual wonder with astounding action sequences and an engaging story(even when characters duke it out for a little longer than needed).

Harry Rossi

3Apr11

Much better than I had expected. In fact its masterful.

Katy O'Brien

15Nov10

Is this THE most beautiful film ever made...?

Josh H

6Nov10

Doesn't live up to its full potential, but still a worthy wuxia effort.

FailedImitator

3Sep10

I don't know. I saw it once. A long time ago. I remember being disappointed. I remember it being beautiful. Maybe it's worth another look.

Amani

24May10

carefully choreographed fighting scenes, amazing costumes, beautifully photographed. wonderful stories of love made this Chinese film what it was.

fabridoss

14Jan10

One of the most beautiful ballets that has ever been made.

Nikolas

20Oct09

I was not expecting anything from this movie, but I really really enjoyed it. The visuals are stunning, the plot is engaging, and hey, Ziyi Zhang is in it. That's always a plus.

Phil Worfel

11Sep09

Stunning. Superior to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. A visual feast from start to finish. Great story, great acting, great direction. Watch and drink it all in.

Elvia Francis

2Jul09

A tragic and surprising story (set in China's Tang dynasty) that shows the power of love. Everything about this film is wonderful - actors, cinematography, costumes, setting, etc. Ziyi Zhang and Takeshi Kaneshiro are the main reason I wanted to watch it! I really loved (Ziyi Zhang's character) Mei's quote toward the end of the film, which really spoke volumes to my soul: "To be free... like the wind."

Cahiers

2May09

Incredible film, superior to the more popular "Hero," and the best of Yimou's wuxia trilogy.