ASHES OF TIME REDUX is one of those films that I just don't see eye to eye with. I'm no fan of arty farty, insubstantial, abstract movies full of posturing, hidden layers and complex character machinations, and this is one of those films. It's supposed to be an ultra-stylish martial arts historical film, but I just found it an ultra bore.

We're saddled with Leslie Cheung's boring philosophiser for much of the running time, while more interesting characters – like Tony Leung's myopic swordsman – come and go in the blink of an eye. Although billed as an action film, there are only around two fight sequences in this one, each filmed in a wooshy-wooshy fluid slow-motion style so that it's difficult to see what's going on. You get the idea that the director looks down on 'action' films and is going out to his way to make an obtuse, audience-unfriendly motion picture. It's an art film where I just don't see the art; as a result, I found this a worthless waste of time.

A broken-hearted hit man moves to the desert where he finds skilled swordsmen to carry out his contract killings.

Roger Ebert wrote, "If Wong Kar-Wai were a painter, he might sometimes create bold, bright swirls on his canvas, with something figurative swimming into view." Further, "I watched attentively, I was dazzled by the beauty of the palate and the fluidity of the camera." He does have a grievance, though. The plot " is somewhat confusing." Well, yes, no one seems to know the plot. Which is weird, considering this version (the so-called redux) is supposed to be an improvement from the original. How can it be improved if no one knows what is going on? Answer: plot is not important, just look at all the vibrant colors!

"Ashes of Time" is a definitive movie in this particular genre that should be on the shelves of any movie collector - especially those who are interested in Asian movies.

The movie, though it is labeled as a martial arts epic, is driven more by the storyline, the acting and the dialogue, than it is by the actual swordsplay and martial arts. And this was a risk on director Wong Kar Wai's part - but a risk that was well worth it in many ways. Because the end result is a heavier movie that punches harder and leaves a lasting impression.

Not only is the movie driven by an appealing story that is riveting and captivating, but the movie also has a good amount of iconic Hong Kong actors and actresses on the cast list; Leslie Cheung (playing Ou-yang Feng),Tony Leung Chiu Wai (playing the blind swordsman),Bridgette Lin (playing Mu-rong Yin/Mu-rong Yang),Tony Leung Ka Fai (playing Huang Yao-shi) and of course Maggie Cheung (playing the woman). It is indeed a grand ensemble of acting talents put together in one movie. And especially the performance of Leslie Cheung - whose death was a hard blow to Hong Kong cinema - really put on a marvelous performance in "Ashes of Time".

The dialogue is good and fluently, keeping the movie well up in pace. And the dialogue is a great core of the movie, so it is an important aspect of the movie, an aspect that just has to work out. And it did!

"Ashes of Time" is also a visually spectacular movie, filmed on location in the harsh deserts of western China, near Mongolia. And the scenery tells a thousand tales in this movie, and it is in itself a major center piece for the movie.

If you haven't seen "Ashes of Time" by now, I can only encourage you to get to it, because this is a very important and defining movie in Hong Kong cinema. This movie is breathtakingly exceptional in many ways.