The bluntness keeps the film from approaching greatness, although history buffs and genre fans might appreciate a World War II story told from a unique, non-Western perspective.

As much as Tony Leung was made for subtle but heady roles like this, Hidden Blade belongs to Wang Yibo, and so does this review.

Gorgeous and empty.

In terms of plotting and scene-setting, Cheng repeats himself a bit too much, and not for the better.