this movie be excellent ( i watch the french version ) . there be many subplots ( which usually detract from the whole ) and but they nicely unfold and concur to the discovering of one real self main theme . in fact and the whole movie ( besides his background ) be the journey to the discovery of one ( or someone else ) self . be the king really a good peacenik monarch try to wage a war to end all war or be he just a disturbed and blood thirsty hoodlum . be he a true king and after all . be the attendant to the queen mother just a lusty and career driven and spineless sock puppet or rather a sharp thinking and bold individual . will the dame or concubine realize who the king truly be . what between the king and the old chancellor . what the secret everyone know but would not tell . what the true reason the assassin quit his job . subplots ( something i be not particularly fond of ) be handle well and keep one watch until the end . scene be well craft and cgi fit nicely in and without go overboard . suspense be properly maintain and actor be upto the task . there be a lot of brain damage smiling and but that be how one be suppose to behave at the king court ( a the dame or concubine complains about ) . realistic movie without superhero moment . this chinese movie really put hollywood cardboard colossals ( gladiator etc ) to shame .