A traditional swordfighting tale involving opposing groups of martial artists is enlivened by imaginative battle scenes, charming romantic interplay, and four of the top stars of Hong Kong action films.
In the close-knit martial arts community of Happy Woods, Sister Ko (Michelle Yeoh) leads a small band which includes Sen (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), whom she loves, and Yip (Donnie Yen), who loves her. Sen, on the other hand, is happily involved with the beauteous Butterfly (Joey Wang), who has
forsaken the martial arts world. When Master Sun of the rival community, Sol Heights, invites martial arts champions to join him, Sister Ko sends Sen undercover in order to find out Sun's objective. When Sen learns of Sun's plan to raid and destroy Happy Woods, Ko and Yip launch a preemptive
strike and massacre a gathering of Sun's martial artists at Bamboo Grove. Joined by Sen, they then carry out an attack on Sun's headquarters, defeating him and his right hand Lu in mortal combat.
Having obtained evidence of a powerful official's involvement in the plot, Ko and her band approach their aged mentor Master Cho, who reveals himself to be the instigator, having vowed to gain control of the martial arts world for himself. A ferocious battle ensues in which Ko and Sen are both
seriously wounded. However, with the crucial intervention of the Emperor's agent, Prince Chun, the warriors of Happy Woods emerge victorious. Butterfly arrives to care for the wounded Sen, and Ko tearfully watches as the two ride off together back to Happy Woods.
Fans of stylized Hong Kong costume adventures will enjoy the many scenes of fantastic violence on display here, such as the splitting of an opponent's flying metal spear cleanly in two with the two sections sent hurtling back to skewer their owner. Flying swordsmen, toppling walls, wooden beams
hurled across rooms, a human bow and arrow, whirling sashes, iron balls, and the infamous "eagle's claw" are all deployed creatively in a steady succession of combat scenes, punctuated by occasional bursts of gore. The convoluted plot requires close attention, but the lyrical romantic interludes
between Sen and Butterfly, accompanied by melodious theme music, sweeten the story and offer a pleasant diversion from the action.
Two of Hong Kong's leading martial arts film stars, Michelle Yeoh (THE HEROIC TRIO) and Donnie Yen (IRON MONKEY), are in top form here, applying their customary grace and style to the numerous fight scenes. The romantic leads, Tony Leung Chiu-wai (HARD BOILED) and Joey Wang (GREEN SNAKE), are
attractive and endearing, and add strong emotional underpinning to the proceedings. While the actors' actual voices are sorely missed, the dubbing job is better than average. (Graphic violence.) leave a comment