earns its dramatic gravitas despite its diversions into slapstick humor and fantasy battle sequences

As expected, violence and mayhem ensue, but not without a healthy (heaping) dose of contemplation about the nature of violence.

A livewire martial arts saga which is overflowing with inventiveness, framed in bold and bright colours.

I went into the film convinced it was going to be just another bloody, mindless muddle. I came away not only impressed, but more respectful of the genre.