One review called this movie a cross between Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The comparison is apt. The martial arts here are over the top and amazing, and the mystery is solid, as an imprisoned detective in ancient China is let out to investigate several mysterious deaths by spontaneous combustion. On the minus side, the movie sort of feels like a propaganda piece for the Chinese government.

Cant wait to see this

Plot difficult to follow. Not a true detective story where one can attempt to identify the culprit. Some of the fight scenes were just a blur of movement, so difficult to appreciate the moves. Great liberties were taken with historical authenticity.

Not expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality action sequences (orchestrated by the great Sammo Hung) and the general atmosphere of the film. The music was complementary throughout and the acting was, on the whole, solid. Some special effects were a bit fake looking, but for an eastern-produced film were acceptable. Worth your time if you're into Crouching Tiger style action with an interesting, historical backdrop.