Another in the post-Crouching Dragon line of Chinese historical epics, House of Flying Daggers is worthy follow-on by writer/director Yimou Zhang to his Jet Li blast Hero. This fantasy focuses on a surprising love triangle among Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), Leo (Andy Lau) and Mei (Ziyi Zhang).

The story is fairly flyweight: In the distant past China is ruled by a corrupt dynasty and so the titular rebel group, along the lines of Robin Hood and his merry men, has risen up to oppose them. Mei is a target of opportunity for local police captains Jin and Leo, rumored to be the blind daughter of the recently assassinated leader of the Flying Daggers. Complications ensue. The weakest aspect of the whole film is the ending which, despite being lovely, exhilerating, and tragic, makes for a completely meaningless end to the story. But I guess this being a sort of fable rather than a historical recreation makes that not too important.

This film is all about the interplay between the leads, the visuals, the colors, the physical movements of dancing, horseback riding and even making love. Zhang shot the film as autumn crossed into winter and uses the color of changing leaves, the snow, even the crisp sharp air. The plot has just enough to keep the audience involved. So not quite the masterpiece that Hero was, but eminently watchable.

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