ThiefHott Too much of everything

Lawbolisted Powerful

Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Harvey Kong Tin This movie reminds me somewhat of "The Silent Flute" - while that was a martial arts story of an international flavour - which is set anywhere in the world, this particular movie "Forbidden Warrior" is a Chinese Eastern story which features various European actors in supporting roles - being a French or International funded movie, it seemed to suffer from a clause in which European actors must be used in a supporting role - otherwise there is no sense or reason to have them there, otherwise.I will add a spoiler - in that this movie does draw at your emotional heart strings with full orchestral score. I don't think it is suitable for a young audience because of this. People do die in this story - major characters and minor.I personally liked this story more than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and while the fight scenes are not as good as in that movie - they are still of a high enough standard, unlike some other international movies with a martial arts touch -whose fighting standards were lower.This is a Good versus Evil mythical story - and it is about fighting and conflict - universal theme with a touch of romance.I did feel that the movie fell short - in not having a final confrontation with the evil ruler - that I half expected a confrontation scene with the heroine and evil ruler that never happened. That would have brought the story full circle with a more complete closure - but perhaps too Hollywood? I found that I did not enjoy the early part of the movie because of the oddness that is present in it - that once you accept that this is an International flavoured movie set say in Ancient China, you then more readily accept the presentation. Just like with Jackie Chan in "The Spy Next Door" - it is a good story, on different levels.

panther419 I am shocked to read how many other people dis-liked this movie, but perhaps that is only because all the people who enjoyed it weren't as driven to comment. This movie was great as a film for humor and action - as well as exactly the story telling you would expect. No this isn't a blockbuster film, and I wouldn't expect that out of a film I never heard of until I went to the rental store. Forbidden Warrior is a story about a strong woman and it includes the elements of fighting, magic, love, etc. If you aren't into fantasy story-telling, particularly styles like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (but remember Forbidden Warrior is written in English, not a 'foreign' film (if you happen to be American)). It is a bit campy or cheesy if you're looking at it seriously, but if you enjoy good-hearted characters, a strong woman story-line, fantasy and magic, and a movie made by people who seem to have had fun making it (having watched the behind-the-scenes). In conclusion, if you pick up the film to sit down and enjoy a bit of entertainment as a film is meant to be, you'll like it. If you are looking to critique and can't handle watching movies that haven't won an Oscar, then don't pick it up. This film is great for a certain category of audience, if you're not sure that's you, please take into consideration the other comments about this movie - as it is understandable if this isn't your 'cup-of-tea', but it is mine.

mwendel While many people probably expected this movie to be some kind of great martial arts / sword fighting flick; it only delivers on a juvenile level. The fighting contains very little blood, and that which it does have isn't like what you would see even in a PG-13 movie today, but I can't say it was bad fighting, not can I say it was great fighting.This movie because of the way it was shot reminded me of watching a very long episode of a Hercules style television show. So I'm not sure if this was originally intended for the television or the big screen.I think the story makes a lot of assumptions about what the watcher knows. They don't explain much about the geography used. Characters have little to know background given. The characters in some respects I believe are so proto-typical that they probably didn't feel the need to tell much about them since their appearance could tell you quite a bit. While I like this about the movie, and it makes it very easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys, in many ways its what I don't like about the movie too. I like characters, well, to have some more character and depth to them! I don't think anyone who watches this will be left going, ugh what a terrible movie, if they have the right mindset. But if you're looking for a serious martial arts / Asian flavored movie then this isn't the film for you.

myflower4you2005 This is the kind of film that the whole family would enjoy seeing. The story is filled with wonder, great special effects, and the martial arts are very exciting to behold. you never find yourself wondering when the movie is going to be over, rather wanting to see what's going to happen next, and hoping that a sequel will be in the works. I liked how much action there was, and it had several lines that made me laugh. It was very enchanting, charming, and full of surprise. the music was also very dramatic, and incredible to listen to. I enjoyed the whole experience. what made it even more wonderful, and very inspiring, was seeing a woman being the hero!