What he has been neglecting over his past few films is the most important factor on why we watch movies, the story and its developments. The storytelling has been shoved to one side to make way for grand, elaborate sets. The costumes are a delight but they serve as superficial ornaments for an empty core. Firstly, i would like to comment that Gong Li as usual is great in her role but the other actors don't seem to be trying their best in protraying their role, except maybe Chow Yun Fat. It made us feel that she is over-acting to a certain extent. I'm a fan of Jay Chou's music but certainly not his acting skills. It's also slightly distracting to see him in the movie acting when i'm used to seeing him in karaoke rooms.
The story is about a Queen who has an affair with her step-son and the King secretly exacts his revenge by slowing poisoning the Queen. The Queen secretly wants to stage a coup against the Emperor with her favourite son leading the army. Secrets are exposed and chaos reigned. The storytelling is flat out dead. The story progresses like a paper coming out from the photocopy machine. Add in the CGI and zoom in on the grand sets. This movie is all style (excessive) and no substance.
**
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