If a secret messenger from the emperor in pursuit of a Buddhist pagoda passing through the Gobi Desert along the Silk Road in the seventh century carries out his covert mission, he can return to Japan. Alas, he is attacked by a gang in search of the same prize.

"Long-in-the-works Col Asia production, shot in 2001 around the same time as Hero, evokes everything from classic Hollywood oaters to Indiana Jones-like adventure yarns, all filtered through a Chinese sensibility. The real pic's star is director of photography Zhao Fei, who has worked with Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and also with Woody Allen. Zhao's widescreen lensing of the dusty Xinjiang locations, are frequently eye-popping, though sparingly used. Photography in the action sequences, realistically choreographed by Hong Kong's Alex Leung, is more down-and-dirty, with helmer He using multiple cameras and the hard, digital effects track adding oomph."
Derek Elley, Variety