[6] Mike Hale of The New York Times found it difficult to follow the "compressed, chaotic narrative" without a "familiarity with the byzantine history of China".

Hale noted that the film included "huge numbers of arrows, soldiers, dead bodies and palace steps".

[1] Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times described the film as "mildly confusing" and "unremarkable" overall, though he praised the "nifty fight sequences, clever bits of wartime subterfuge, scenic outdoor photography and Honglei's quirky charm".

[4] Similarly, Brent Simon of Screen International said the "historical epic" displayed "impressive costume design and much natural scenic beauty", but called it not "particularly persuasive or enrapturing".

[7] Nick Schager of The Village Voice described the film's opening as "invigorating", but overall "tedious" and "a morass of melodramatic romance, torture, and suicide".