Rating: 
Summary: Columbia Dropped the Ball, Again
Review: As I wrote in the review for the CTHD's first release on DVD, Columia dropped the ball for not including the Chinese subtitle and omitting two music videos by CoCo Lee.Another release (this time the SuperBit version) of the same movie, Columbia still didn't do it right the second time around. As far as the video quality is concerned, I didn't see too much improvement over the original release. As the video of the original release already looked darn perfect. There is not much room for improvement even with the SuperBit processing. I thought to my self that with the new SuperBit edition, Columbia should give us the "ultimate" edition. Sure enough, Columbia did it again - for the second time in a row - dropped the "BIG" ball again. The SuperBit version only has ONE audio track by providing just the Mandarin track. Even though the Chinese subtitle is included; however, Columbia dropped the English dubbed track, still omitting the two music videos (in English and Mandarin of the title song), and also not providing the additional Cantonese track which was recorded for the movie personally by Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeah and the rest of the cast members. These additional track and music videos should not used up or occupy too much disc space anyway I would love to get the Cantonese track on this SuperBit version. Columbia should includes all three tracks (original Mandarin track, original Cantonese track - all recorded by Chow & Yeoh and the rest of the cast members, and the English dubbed version). Just let consumers pick their own favorite track. Empowers the consumers and NOT to dictate what they want to choose. (Even though I do own the Cantonese track version of this movie on an official 2-disc VCD set (UPC 4893031007898) I ordered from Hong Kong - put out by Columbia Tristar's Hong Kong arm. It includes both the Cantonese and the Mandarin tracks but no English dubbed version). (Note: VCD is a format widely recognized in Asia but one that has made few inroads into America.) The bottom line is that the SuperBit version is too limiting - only one Mandarin track and seven subtitles (English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Thai). I still give the movie a 5-star rating, but the SuperBit features only a 2-star rating.
Rating:
Summary: Sitting Spellbound, Watching in Amazement
Review: I've lost track of how many times I've watched this now. Action, Romance, Suspense, and a most impressive score. DO NOT WATCH IT IN ENGLISH FOR YOUR FIRST VIEWING!!! You will lose a great deal of the fluidity. The English dub is slightly louder, and much more abrasive, but worth watching AFTER your first viewing, as much of the subtitles are more summary than direct translation. The extras are good too.
Rating: 
Summary: [...]with special effects
Review: After being grossly disappointed by movie, I have talked to several Chinese people - they wanted nothing more but to completely distance themselves from it. They said, "it is like Chinese food in USA - adapted to western taste, no real flavor left"
Rating:
Summary: Almost perfect
Review: First of all, do not expect something like a Jackie Chan action. This is not an action movie. It is an epic story of people and their emotions. The people depicted in the story are universal characters, and they involve an explanation and an idea related to human nature. Lethal tendency to beauty, desire for power, suffering from goodwill, courage for love, are some of the themes that I remember... This was an icredible film, that shocked me for weeks. The only negative plot was that, people were speaking in English instead of Chinese. I think it was for marketing reasons. I was also surprised by the Turkish song sang by the steppe-man, in the "bath in the cave" scene.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing but fun
Review: This movie was fun as it brought you into the world of Chinese legend. It was a wonderfully made movie although quite confusing at times. (I'll have to admit that I couldn't follow all the Chinese names and I couldn't follow exactly what was going on.) I'm sure this movie has a more symbollic sense but I failed to make it out. The ending was especially confusing to me. Other than that it was a great movie with great fight scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely Poetic opera
Review: Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) is a Wudan fighter of Legendary Status. He is also the keeper of Green Destiny, a perfectly crafted sword that is 400 years old. One day he is surrounded by a circle of light and believes it is enlightenment, but it's not. This motivates him to give up his life as a fighter and search for more enlightenment. Yu Shu Lein (Michelle Yeoh) is also a crafty fighter and a love interest for Li, but it has never materialized. However, she is an independent woman, owner of Sun Protection, a service unlike Brinks Security and is well respected. However, she is missing Li from her life and we see it, when she discusses it with her mother, early in the movie. Yu agrees to take the sword to Sir Te, whom Li has chosen as it's guardian. He is in search for Green Jade, an assasin who killed his master years ago (a common theme in Martial Arts movies). However, on the first night in Sir Te's care, it is stolen. Yu meets a young woman named Jen, who is supposed to be married to another house to forge a stronger alliance for her father, a regional governor for the Emperor. However, on the night of the theft, it seemed that the thief came from the governor's mansion. Is it possible that Jen was the thief and even perhaps Jade Fox? As the story unfolds, more and more detail is added to each character's richness. (Spoiler) The relationship between Yu and Li is also poignant. In Asian culture, unrequited love is a common theme and it was not rare to see a man and a woman who have hidden feelings for each other, never end up revealing their love. However, the yearning that you see in M. Yeoh's performance is Oscar Caliber in my book and the regal-ness that Chow Yun Fat showed as King Mongkut in Anna and the King is reproduced and increased infinitely because I easily believed him as a old fighter, who has infinite wisdom from his years of experience. And the scenery. This is one of the most beautiful movies ever. The scenery, from the panoramic shots of the Forbidden City, to the sweeping grandeur of the Bamboo forest, the eyes are not forgotten in this tale of justice, loyalty and independence. Nor is the region of the brain that likes action. While the fighting in the movie serves as a vehicle to the characters, it takes a life of it's own. It is concept of classic Chinese storytelling that students of Wudan or Shaolin gain an enlightenment so great, that it gives them near superhuman powers. That is why you see so much flying. However, to those many westerners, this concept would probably not make any sense. Still, while the effects are wonderful, the flying was a little too liberally used to maintain dramatic effect. However, since this movie was originally meant for the Asian market, I'm not one to complain. I think that the break out performance came from Zhang Zi Yi. While she appears fragile, she had the hardest and most demanding role and she pulled it off magnificently. (spoiler) (Spoiler)
The extended fight scene over the hairpin was overdone. I know that Ang Lee wanted to extend the scene to show her determination and defiance, but it felt like a joke that has gone on too long. Those were minor complaints to the excellent storytelling, magnificent performances and awesome action in this movie. Even though this movie was in Manderin with many Eastern philosophies, it is a movie that I believe can touch the hearts of many film viewers....Rating: A-
Rating: 
Summary: Very unrealistic.
Review: Personally, i have to admit that i do not like this film. I don't HATE it but i just don't love it. why? The flying was unrealstic.Sure! i know it's an Wuxia film, and it's suppose to have flying in them. but the part with the standing-on-bamboo stuff is just too much. other than that, everythings pretty much okay. The musics cool, the filming(in terms of art and photography) is pretty good too. but still...not my favorite action movie. Personnally, i prefer Jet Li's action movies. like the"Once upon a time in china" series. And plus, Jet Li fights alot better than Chow. (sorry)
Rating:
Summary: Serious Issues with Superbit Collection
Review: Overall a fantastic movie. However, buyers should be aware that the Superbit Collection may add audio clarity at the expense of the extra features typical to DVDs. For instance the the regular DVD edition contains interviews, commentaries, graphics, etc. Superbit has none of these. For the vast majority of buyers who will not be able to even notice the difference in sound quality, this is a more expensive product that adds little value. Stick with the regular DVD edition (which I'd rate a 5).
Rating:
Summary: Blew me away
Review: After watching too many poorly made martial arts movies, with actors trained for two weeks in martial arts prior to the filming, I had a mediocre feeling about this movie before I watched it. Then I was blown away! First of all, all of the actors in this movie are experienced in martial arts, it's not fake or purely choreographed. And considering the astounding choreography of this movie, that's saying quite a bit. Beyond the mind-blowing fight scenes, however, this is not the normal martial arts movie. It departs in the fact that most of the main characters are women (and every fight scene has at least one woman). There's also a slightly fantastic element that is tastefully contained; it is easier to believe the almost-flying ability of the characters than it is to dismiss it. What most impressed me about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, however, was the concentration on spiritual and mental aspects. Instead of showing martial arts as a merely physical exercise, it addresses the teachings of martial arts to become mentally and spiritually in control of oneself, and more in tune with the outside world. Its message of love and being true to oneself is subtle and moving, as supported by an outstanding musical score (with Yo Yo Ma on cello.) As for the ending, if you think it is only about death, then I suggest you watch it again. Deeply moving, both sad and uplifting at the same time, this is one of my favorite movies. I hope others can appreciate it for the same qualities!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Flying Footwork!
Review: I first saw this movie in theaters and was absolutely spellbound! It's an amazing mix of action, romance, and incredibly beautiful cinematography. This DVD has some great extras, like an interview with Michelle Yeoh, Ang Lee commentary, and a photo montage. The widescreen presentation ensures you see this gorgeous film as it was meant to be. There are Mandarin and English audio versions...but I STRONGLY recommended watching it in the original mandarin. It just loses something without the talented cast's original voices.
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