I think that fans of martial arts films will enjoy watching this film, as it combines action and movements from both
Chinese and Japanese martial arts styles.
In addition to historical national conflict between the two nations, which is portrayed with vivid colors throughout the film, and determines the fate of the film’s heroes, there are a few other themes worth discussing.
Master-student relationship
The relationship between a master and a student in martial arts can only be compared with the relationship between a parent and a child.
This strong bond is what makes Jet Li, who plays the lead role in the film, leave his studies in Japan, and return to China to investigate the death of his master, who can only be seen in a picture and does not have an active role in the film though.
When it comes to martial arts, a student never stops learning.
So, when the old master dies, a new master (sensei) appears, even though he is a foreigner (Japanese).
This new master teaches Jet Li something new, which he didn’t know before, and which will help him become
invincible.
This piece of advice is very simple, and can be described in one word: flexibility.
Flexibility is what the student lacks, and by learning to respond flexibly to situations, he will be able to go to the next level by fighting his own weakness, that is lack of flexibility.
Duty vs. romance and love
Apart from fighting and violence scenes that usually dominate martial arts movies, the human side of martial artists comes to surface in many cases.
Such a case is when romance and love enter the picture to distract a martial artist’s focus and dedication to martial arts training and fighting.
No matter how strong, resilient, and highly trained a martial artist may be, he or she will always have a weak spot for a person that he or she has fallen in love with.
Thus, decisions made by a martial artist in the context of duty and discipline can be greatly affected by a love relationship.