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89
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Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
The Princess Blade opens with one of the most note-perfect action sequences ever committed to film.
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80
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Washington Post Stephen Hunter
It's all story, character and dazzling martial arts violence, as orchestrated by fight choreographer Donnie Yen at breakneck speed.
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70
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The Hollywood Reporter
Original and thrilling martial-arts choreography, a lean, hard-driving story and solemn atmosphere make The Princess Blade -- a futuristic tale -- stand way above the pack.
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60
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The New York Times Dave Kehr
Not quite good enough to jump out of the pack of Asian swordplay movies but is too well crafted to sink into utter anonymity.
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60
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Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
With its stylized, near-surreal comic-book look and roots, The Princess Blade has all the makings of a cult film.
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60
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Washington Post Desson Thomson
It suffers from a dreary middle section. Great movie, mediocre script.
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60
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TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
Adventurous viewers will find this unusual genre hybrid an intriguing experience, and Donnie Yen's fight choreography is breathtaking.
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60
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Film Threat
Yumiko Shaku as Yuki is small, beautiful, and stunningly sexy while she plies her deadly skill like a dancer. Her self-assured poise and large expressive eyes say everything that the minimal dialogue doesn't.
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50
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Boston Globe Wesley Morris
This is a movie about excess. It's excessively long (at least it feels that way), the slo-mo is used in excess (so are the swords), and our heroine, Yuki (Yumiko Shaku), when she does emote, is excessively weepy for a coldblooded assassin.
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50
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New York Post V.A. Musetto
Can't decide if it's a martial-arts thriller or a sappy soap opera.
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