I think most martial arts (wu xia) movie fans are going to love
this show. You get the usual stuff you often see in typical wu xia
shows, but with a much higher touch of class.
Frankly, I went in with quite alot of expectations, not only
because of the rave reviews by mass media movie critics, but also
because I have been a big fan of Chow Yun Fatt since young. He was
as eye-catching as usual in this show, being the righteous &
renowned swordsman Li Mu Bai. He & Shu Lien (who was portrayed
by Michelle Yeoh) were actually deeply in love, but due to some
reason (you will know what it is when you watch the show), they
were not able to express their love for each other openly. Michelle
Yeoh was quite convincing in the role of "jiang1 hu2 er2 nu3", as
she had often played the same role in other films, except that she
also had quite a few scenes which did justice to her feminine,
loving side. However, to appreciate all these, you must 1st
tolerate her halting Mandarin in a
rather strong "angmo" accent. Don't worry, I believe you will
hardly notice it as the show progresses, because you will be more
captivated by the show than to let anything else distract your
attention.
Zhan ZiYi, who was touted to be the successor of Gong Li, was the
fresh nubile daughter of a powerful officier. However, her
fragile-looking frame was just the cover for her irrepressible
desires to be a free wandering pugilist. In fact, she possessed
near-invincible skills & immerse potential, despite her young
age, although all these nearly opened a path of self-destruction
for her. Her ex-lover, acted out by Zhang Zhen, was a rugged desert
bandit who fell for her tough ways. I must say that Zhang Zhen is a
rather attractive man, with his unshaven stub & manly showings.
However, I am still a little bewildered why the audience laughed
the moment he shouted when Zhang ZiYi was
chasing after him in the desert...hmm, maybe his words came across
in a funny tone or what, I don't know *Shrugz*
Overall, I really like this show alot. If you grow up amidst wu xia
shows like "Chu3 Liu2 Xiang1", "Shu1 Jian4 En1 Chou2 Lu4", "She4
Diao1 Ying1 Xiong2 Zhuan4" (esp the original one by Huang Ri Hua
& Weng Mei Ling) , etc, you will find this show a real treat.
The motions & actions are all so graceful & well-crafted
out, you will think that they are doing ballt instead of
martial
arts. Watching them float across the rooftops & trees, I am
really wishing I am like them, able to float here & there, then
I will save tons of $ travelling everywhere 
Really love this show! Got me another idol in Zhang Zhen
though...so MAN!!! ~~~~~~~~~~
Rating: 4.5/5
