Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Twilightfa Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Hayleigh Joseph This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Leofwine_draca Years before the likes of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON breathed new popularity into Chinese cinema, films such as MOON WARRIORS were championed in the east and pretty much missed in the west. It's a shame, because MOON WARRIORS pretty much whups the backside of Ang Lee's movie in every respect; it's a pacier film, better shot and more interesting, with brighter performances and typically wonderful direction from Sammo Hung. While the plot is familiar stuff – some nonsense about an exiled king and his evil brother – this film's strength lies in the execution, which is second to none.Brightly coloured and vibrant throughout, MOON WARRIORS is a gorgeous film to watch and it helps that the cast members all give very good turns. I was particularly pleased to see the underrated Andy Lau in the film (the most interesting actor in HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS), as he's cast as the heroic lead here and he gives a very good turn. In fact, almost all the actors are good, especially Anita Mui as the love interest. The exception is Maggie Cheung, whom I just find to be irritating no matter what film she appears in.In terms of action, this is a decent film with many satisfying set-pieces. The opening ninja attack in the bamboo forest is classic stuff, and it's followed up by some engaging combat that makes full use of wire work for effect without looking stupid. Sammo knows his stuff and, combined with the input of Corey Yuen, this is a film in which the action always satisfies. There's also a few choice special effects, including the amusing bit where a severed head is shot by a burning arrow and some other gory instances. Andy Lau provides some comedy as the simpleton villager turned king's saviour, and I even enjoyed his FREE WILLY-style interludes with a peaceful whale that he has adopted as a pet (although the whale's intervention at the climax is a very predictable one). All said and done, MOON WARRIORS is a fun film that's difficult to dislike and, despite a few slow spots in the second half, I had a ball with it.

DrLenera When Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon came out,critics fell over themselves praising it as being new and fresh. Whilst it is undoubtedly a good film,the fact is that they had been making films like that in Hong Kong for many years,with warriors jumping around the screen in tales of romance and honour. Moon Warriors is a good example. It has it's flaws,with one element rather laughable,but it still demands quite a bit of respect.The action is really as good,maybe it's a bit more obvious the characters are on wires,but in terms of martial arts skill it's actually better, and just as visually great to watch. Highlights include a display of kites that suddenly somehow turns into a ninja attack,a possibly Macbeth-inspired 'moving trees'sequence,and gorgeous Hong Kong babes Maggie Cheung and Ania Mui battling it out with swords.Despite what you may have heard about films like this,it certainly isn't all fighting. A great deal of time is given to the love element,and there are perhaps too many montages to the sentimental theme song {as usual,the translated words on the subtitles don't really work}. Howvever,the film retains that melancholic romantic feel present in many other Hong Kong fantasy movies of the time {such as The Bride With White Hair and Saviour of the Soul}.Unfortunately there is a subplot of a WHALE which is the hero's best friend,and it's just laughable. Some versions of the film even have outtakes at the end of star Andrew Lau with the thing. Still,there's plenty in the film which is worthwhile. It's really quite extraordinary what Hong Kong filmmakers used to conjure up on what were usually tiny budgets and rushed productions.

muichimotsu very well done period swordplay fantasy film.The fisherman in his simplicity is a true hero.The unrequited love that dominates throughout is well executed.Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui can duel all day long..Awesome.The villain is well played his skill is evident.musically the score is great..definitely worth seeing love,honour,pace..and great wire work must definitely put this film up there with the better made one of the genre..All hail King Sammo....

Nathan-43 I remember this being quite a good, mature kick flick, but there is one scene I must have watched 20 times now, undeniably the best death in any movie. A servant reports his failure to his Overlord, whereupon the lord cuts his head off with the string of his bow, flicks it up in the air, shoots an arrow through the head whilst it flies through the air, sending the impaled bonce across a line of torches, setting fire to it. The head embeds itself on a wall, spelling out the Overlords name in fire. At this time the overlord runs across the burning torches, somersaults over to a chessboard, slams a piece down and cries - Checkmate! Has to be seen to be believed.