The film, - a martial arts Saga; based on a novel by Wang Du Lu, is set in 19th century Quing dynasty. Its a remarkably-paced depiction of mystical romance, artistic fights and magical intrigues.
Peter Pan captures the landscape grandeur of misty mountains and the playful sibilance of streams of China, as the rambling story unfolds itself. It’s an epic with a distinctive flavour that combines traditional Chinese literary style with Greek tragedy.
Michelle Yeoh, (remember her in James Bond’s ’Tomorrow Never Dies’ where she play a Chinese spy) plays a martial artist named Shu Lien, who handles a jade sword called the Green Destiny for safekeeping by a legendary warrior. Li Mu Bai, who shares an unspoken love with her. Shu Lien chases the masked thief who stole this treasured weapon, (it’s none other than, ’Jen’, daughter of the governor played by Zhaing Ziyi). Jen, is a beauty about to be given away into a loveless marriage who conceeds both her martial art process and her passion for a fiery bandit leader.
Thats the essence of the film! A search for the sword (breath-taking crouching leaps, kicking action!). And for true love. Which basically means the film is all a Woman’s show (AND their hidden talents). Admirably ground breaking ! ! !, as martial arts is considered a man’s domain. The film explores how the motivations of its three principal female characters are shaped by the demands that society has placed on women. For these three women, their hearts desires are in direct conflict with not only the obligations they must fulfill, but also a past that cannot be ignored..
This movie is the first Asian work ever to get Oscar nomination as ’Best Picture’; though it walked away with the foreign Lingo Oscar, it did not get what it deserved, the Oscar for the best picture (the Asian tag???). Sure its Director Anglee, must have been very Anglee!!!. Any way, ignore the ’two hour meat parade’ called Oscars, (Charlie Chaplain, the ’’Genius’’ never got an Oscar!!!) and some spirited reviews here, instead go by what your gut feelings...... and friends say.
Some casual viewers may find this devotion to art-form Jarring at first sight, But at a serious look, It’ll please even the most ’Jaded’ cinegoer.
Enjoy