It is probably not the right thing for me to do but I do rely on film critics advice if a film is any good. There are two particular critics whose advice I particularly rely on and they gave rave reviews for this film so I made sure I went to see it.
One of the things that the Chinese can do really well is grand epic films that look brilliant. The use of the latest CGI helps but they also have wonderful costumes and sets. The opening scenes of the film with the tour of the Buddha statue are amazing. Looks are all well and good but don't mean anything if they don't have a good story to back it up. This film certainly has that. I'm a big fan of detective films so I loved the story here and the many twists it takes. It is kind of like a Chinese version of Sherlock Holmes. Then there are the great action sequences. Wire work is now how action scenes are done which gives them such a grand ballet look. There is one underground fight scenes that was simply amazing in the way they use the set to fight with. The use of the mystical is integrated into the film really well too.
Andy Lau is no stranger to being a detective after the brilliant job he did in the 'Infernal Affairs' trilogy. He is excellent here too as the stoic detective who hates authority. Chao Deng makes an excellent assistant to our lead. He is very much like Dr. Watson and makes a good doubter to the methods Dee employs. Carina Lau gives a very regal performance as the Empress and is suitably nasty.
You could easily see someone making a Hollywood remake of this film. It would also make a great story for Sherlock Holmes. Make sure you go see this very original piece of work before that happens.
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