Invincible Swordsman is an engaging martial arts movie that is an excellent presentation of both hardcore action and profound spiritual and emotional concepts. It is the tale of a skilled swordsman Linghu Chong, who long to get out of the world of martial arts and its violence and chaos. His thirst to peace and harmony within leads to confrontation of a self discovery voyage when he is surprisingly dragged back into the war of good and bad. The movie delves into this conflict of being internal but it is sensitive, because it embodies the human desire of peace in a time of storm.
The story gets a twist when Linghu Chong meets a mysterious leader of the Demonic Sect, Dongfang Bubai. Their interaction brings in levels of complexity, casting doubts on morality, temptation and what real strength might be. The character development is subtle and Linghu Chong transforms into a disappointed fighter and also fights his inner demons. The film is quite beautiful, visually, it is a blend of graceful fight sequences, stunning scenery, and classic set designs, which help to create a classic martial arts universe. The music balances these images perfectly well, adding to the spiritual oblique upon which the story is woven.
The element that struck me the most was the discovery of the inner peace as opposed to the outer conflict in the film. It is a reflection of the value of knowing oneself and spiritual development, despite living in a world of violence. Some of the plot elements might be predictable, but the level of emotion and contemplation makes Invincible Swordsman more than a martial arts epic. It is a very thought provoking experience that made me ponder and inspired me on the strength of inner strength.
