The Flying Swordsman ** (out of 5) Here’s another imported action flick set in an old era of China. As the title suggests, it’s long on swordplay, but even longer in narrative and transitions. Much of the fighting involves wire work for long leaps and short flights by the combatants. It offers the lyrical look and tone of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon without much of the romantic element.
As usual, it’s a revenge drama with the hero devoting hjs life to repaying those who slaughtered his family when he was but a mere lad who was lucky to escape – and Asian Inigo Montoya with multiple targets. Similarly, that required developing superlative blade skills and tracking down the evil warlord and his henchmen, known collectively as the 8 Villains. The plot includes a standard array of hidden identities, double-crosses and reveals, missing the usual grounding of knowing who to root for and against from the get-go.
For hard-core action buffs, this one may disappoint. Fantasy fans will be happier, due to the aerobatics and score making it more poetic than potent. You know your taste. Choose accordingly.
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(The Flying Swordsman, in Mandarin with subtitles, is available on DVD and Digital formats as of 1/9/24)