henhelena

it has been a long time watching film doesn't leave any strong feelings to me... I left feeling conflicted, yet enlightened.. Perhaps one of the best Andy Lau's best performance in his acting career. Cecilia Cheung did a good job as well. There were some good action and a bit romantic scenes, there were some "strong' scenes that makes me freaked out as well,but I think it i necessary. The script and plot is great. Please make sure you watch the HK version not the Chinese cut. Go and watch for the experiences.

The plot is quite simplistic but the main purpose of a movie is to keep you entertained and this film did a pretty good job. The group of thieves characters are interesting enough they made you stands on their side while hoping the mission succeeded. The cinematography is beautiful and smooth, nicely paced. Stephen Fung brought some fresh air to China films. Would look forward to the sequel since it looks promising.

The war sequence is amazing. It's full of brute force and shows the desperation of the soldiers. It is very realistic, just more dramatic. There are a lots lots of extras. Perhaps it's the first time I had seen that the war sequence represents the numbers of casualties mentioned. The war and fight is fast, it doesn't look choreographed. Instead, it looks violent and brutal.

Jet Li gives decent acting here. Andy Lau got great role he deserved unlike in "House of Flying Daggers." Any Lau fans could tell he gave different performance this time. With all the blood, violence, brotherhood, man pride, and politics, I could say, a very "masculine" film.