Rating: 
Summary: Another stunning sleeper
Review: Every reviewer has absolutely loved this movie, for good reason. It is a beautiful film, with wonderful acting and incredible depth. There are very deep and powerful themes here as other reviewers have noted; but the are subtle and mute to the main story of a poor simple street performer and his daughter. Unlike "To Live", where the main characters are swept away by the tides of the external world around them, in "King" the greater societal changes manifest themselves only through the intense personal story of the King and his Grandson/daughter. Both "To Live" and "King of Masks" are absolutely supurb, and will be appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: great movie and incredible art
Review: This is a very moving story. but the reason I watched this movie is to see the art of changing masks. What this film shown is only a tip of the iceberg. The true master, who are rapidly becoming endanger species, can not only changing masks but also clothes in an instant. And they can changes masks simple by turning their head sideway without having to raise their hands like the old man did in the movie. I guess I digressed...
Anyway good movie, everyone who who appreciate a story with substance should see.
Rating:
Summary: sub titles
Review: I bought two separate copies of the movie and cannot get the English sub-titles. Both copies have the Spanish and French sub-titles. Anyone else with this problem?
Rating:
Summary: Stubborness,rejection,acceptance,redemption-all in one!
Review: This movie, set between the 20's-30's is cute, sweet, if I may say as well as heartwarming. Since with all the great reviews given before me. I will not recap the story again. I watched this movie perhaps 5-6 times this year itself and I still love it. As for the quality of the DVD, I can't judge because the DVD version I saw was from Hong Kong distributor and is in its original widescreen format, so I am not complaining. Not only Granpa, Doggie and Master Liang are give good performances...my other favourite character is "General" and I'll give anything just to give him a big hug.I am also very fascinated by the old actor Zu Xhu,he is fantastic and I feel like he's almost like a grandpa to me. It is also because of him that I highly anticipated "Shower" which also starred him. The traditional chinese musical score is wonderful and quite meditative. I find the part near the end when Master Liang "drag diva" saved Doggie from that fatal drop a little dramatic...but that's Ok with me too. The heartwarming, final scene of acceptance melt me. The movie mainly took place around central China and Szechuan, and the Giant Buddha of Imei Shan depicted in the movie is a very popular destination for buddhist pilgrimage. Yes, the women in modern China today are just as equal as the men. The soldiers depicted in the movie are normal, ordinary soldiers. They are not communist soldiers, yet.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Chinese film EVER.
Review: I am not shy to admit that a lot of the reason for my adoration of this film is that I liked the ending. I can't help it. I'm an optimist, and wholly unused to seeing my kinds of endings anywhere in film, except some American films. Nonetheless, the ending is not easily won. The characters do have to reach it through some very realistic post-Revolution struggle. This film addresses the status of women in China, especially the "daughter problem", and also addresses, to an extent, the problems of marginalized classes in the cities of China. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and I think you'll want to see it again.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic film. Have some Kleenex handy.
Review: I saw this film first in the theaters. I didn't quite know what to expect but have enjoyed the current surge of moving Asian films. The performances of the male lead and especially the young girl will move you to tears. It's one film everyone should see. I recently purchased the DVD knowing full well about the negatives. The audio on the DVD is terrible (as bad as mono in my opinion). And yes, the film is cropped. Why Columbia would wreck such a great work by producing a shabby DVD version is beyond my comprehension. They could have released a widescreen version as well but they didn't. Columbia needs to get their act together and redo the DVD. Anyway, I'd give the DVD a 1/2 star but I can't fault the movie one bit which easily deserves 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: what's going on here?!?!
Review: This is such a great movie with unbelievable acting and magnificent visuals...too bad that on the DVD version almost half of the movie was censored!! (by presenting it in fullscreen that is) What a shame!! DON'T BUY THIS DVD!! Wait for a version that faithfully portrays the visual intentions of the director.
Rating:
Summary: full-screen: disappointing
Review: The movie is wonderful (thus 5 stars), but the DVD is full-screen, "formatted to fit this screen" as it says in the beginning of the film. Somewhat ironic, since the trailer is widescreen format. It's very disappointing that it's not kept in its original widescreen version. The movie could have been a lot better that way.
Rating:
Summary: A DVD for Everyone's Library
Review: This is one of the most touching films I've ever watched. It is also the film that got me to move to DVDs and was the first one I bought. We definitely need more films like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece of Buddhist Cinema
Review: As the King of Masks contemplates his impending demise, he toys with the tools of his art - the colorful masks he used to ply his street performances. "All my life I have played with these," he says. "And now they cannot help me." Lest anyone believe this is not a thoroughly gifted exercise in Buddhist-themed cinema, view the film through the above message and you will discover just how elegant this work becomes. Quite simply magnificent - ranking with "Harp of Burma" and "Why Has Bodidharma Left for the East" as a study in self-discovery and the awakening of compassion. I believe this work's true value has been lost in the lush attraction of its setting; yet, that is not a criticism. Rather, it is a testament to this work's satisfaction on all levels. The performances are without equal, the photography is superb, and direction leaves nothing to be desired. "King of Masks" ranks as one of the finest films I have ever seen. Buy it. You'll find yourself returning again and again.
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