Yep/ XS+ is right. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but the film isn't great, just ok. Zhang Yimou is trying too hard, his wuxia films are still under Ang Lee's shadow. HoFD, like Hero, has a high production value. The art direction is great, the action is gripping, but it is so flashy, tries so hard to be 'great', the films falls under its own weight. The story falls apart half way through the film, sometimes feeling like it's a period version of 'Infernal Affairs' believe it or not. And there are too much CG IMO. At the end it feels a bit ridiculous. Like at the climax at the end, out of nowhere comes the snow, its overly beautiful that it's just illogical.
It's still worth checking out though. It's better than Hero since it doesn't have the dodgy political message and is a solid effort in the genre, but there's nothing to suggest a classic.
