Rating: 
Summary: Captivating
Review: Unaware of the sub-titles, I was at first put off by the movie. But the action and excitement of the fantasy styled martial arts direction was totally captivating! I would highly reccommend this movie to anyone who enjoys martial arts movies. That aspect alone kept my full attention for the duration of the movie. I also felt the movie to have a very feminist spin to its story line, for those individuals who like to see women as strong and confident. But it did not go overboard in that aspect. I felt everything was well balanced. I went to this movie with my 9 year old son and my father. Both of them were also put off by the sub-titles, but we all agreed that the martial arts more than made up for the unexpected sub-titles. A great movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Traditional Chinese
Review: This is true to the real thing in that time period. The scenery and plot is boldly Chinese. I applaud the bravery of these film makers, given a Western market, to make the movie in Mandarin and have the plot Chinese style: no sex, the female lead commits suicide because she understands all her wrong doings, the death of Chow Yu Fat preventing possible marriage with Michelle, and Michelle's loyalty to her belated financee. This is who we are! A mature and deep understanding required to fully understand this movie, especially its' ending. Best picture oscar should have gone to ''Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'' because the scenery is real, unlike all the digitalized graphics of ''The Gladiator,'' but of course, the best oscar has to go to the Whites.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet movie
Review: This was truly an awesome movie, the only thing I didn't like about it was the fact the characters could jump unhumanly far distances (fly, or whatever you want to call it) because I thought that this movie was supposed to resemble some sort of realism, but once you realize that this is just a movie based on fantasy and it is not supposed to be real, then it really becomes an awesome flick.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Cinema
Review: Wonderful film and Ziyi Zhang steals the show.
Rating:
Summary: Already a classic
Review: This was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Even my wife loved it and she hates action movies. But this movie also had romance and it was a very good fantasy story. These guys that studied the "Wu dan" were sort of like Jedi warriors in ancient China. A lot of fun watching them fight. Every scene in this movie was like a beautiful painting and I am sure that I will watch it over and over once I own it. I have been waiting for this to come out on DVD ever since I left the theater!
Rating:
Summary: Crouching Tiger's Hidden Meaning
Review: ... The movie is an incredible jump from the old martial arts movies, in it's storyline, presentation and action. Awesome special effects. But the viewer is left to interpret it's true meaning and it's ending. Great movie to have none-the-less.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: An amazing film. When I talked to friends about this film, I wasn't too thrilled that it wasn't in english. However, upon watching it, I quickly forgot that it was subtitled and viewed it as a "Moving Book." It's not perfect, but it is far from horrible. The story is incredible and the special effects complimented the Eastern flavor of the film. A superb mix of imagination and story telling. A suggestion to those who have not seen this film, leave all doubts behind and accept the fact that Hollywood isn't the only place on Earth with the knowledge to put out a truly stunning work. A must see.
Rating:
Summary: A Breathtaking Masterpiece
Review: To try and describe Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would be a hard thing to do. I can say, however, that this movie has it all. Spectacular stunts and beautiful coreography that rivals the Matrix (although these two films had some of the same people working for them). But what makes this film great is the directing and the story it tells. Ang Lee is a legend for telling a true story. His movies the Ice Storm and Sense and Sensibility were magnificent. In my opinon, this is his best. Another important item is the actors you get. Lee chose stars like Chow Yun-Fat (Replacement Killers) and Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies), both wonderful action stars. People will like this movie. Whether you are an action fan, a drama fan, or just like a good movie. Check this out, you won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: It's not a martial arts film, it's drama
Review: Whenever I tell people that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a drama, they look at me wide-eyed and amazed. Truth is, the martial arts in the film is the icing on the cake, the filling is in its script. Having seen this film in its true original form, mandarin, I fear that many aspects of teh film would be lost in the subtitles and translation. The script is beautifully written and filled with metaphors that compares both modern society with that of the imaginery, the martial arts world. To the chinese, Wu Lin, is a term used in all martial arts world. It signifies the period in China's history where the kingdom is ruled by emperors and martial artistes dwells. However, the modern notion of Wu Lin is the society we live in. Like the Wu LIn in the film, modern men are trapped by duty and reponsibilities. The love affair between Zhang Zi Yi and Zhang Zhen, is a symobolism social barriers in traditional families. Unlike traditional martial arts films, look to Jackie Chan's eariler works such as "Drunken Master" for comparison, Lee Ang's piece is uniquely silent with many compelling scene. Hence, I am with the firm believe that considering the film an A-typical martial arts film would be nothing less than insult. What Lee Ang has created is a genre unique to its own and will be appreciated in years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoy the art, beauty, and spirituality of China.
Review: It is rare when a foreign language film has the ability to grab the attention of my fifteen-year-old nephew and me, but this movie is extraordinary. We read the subtitles and did not feel like we were missing any details -- only that a world had suddenly been opened for us to view. Since we saw this film, we have discussed it and persuaded others to experience this enchantment. Every so often we talk about this movie and plan to see it many more times. This DVD should be shown in wide-angle format in order to see all of the majesty captured on cellulose. The script creates a perfectly logical connection between fantasy and reality, logic and irrationality, and mythology and truth. This flow makes it easy to suspend disbelief and be completely entrapped within the breathtaking beauty and fierce fights of the movie. Yun-Fat Chow is Li Mu Bai, and he displays a spiritual countenance that is the center of a true martial arts master. His life has been in service and honor toward the sword *The Green Destiny.* The complexities of his life and his choices are only a background for the intricacies of romance, tragedy, heroism, and philosophy that are woven with precise skill and art throughout this astonishing movie. Michelle Yeoh (Yu Shu Lien) and Zhang Ziy (Jen) become acquaintances, then friends, then sisters, and finally enemies. The transitions are created by the strong will of the young princess (Zhang) who ultimately learns the value of friendship, but at great cost. She is well trained in the ninja arts by Li Mu Bai's ancient arch nemesis. This training is significant because rivals do tend to reveal the inadequacies of their opponents while assuring their young students with victory. The action scenes are stimulating and plausible though the stunts are physically impossible -- or so it seems. What is most amazing is that these impossible stunts were real! The actors did the scenes, perhaps stunt doubles for some, though I doubt it because of Ang Lee's determination for accuracy. When the warriors fly through the air, fight on the sides of building, chase across the rooftops, or fight high in the bamboo trees they did exactly that. These were not created through simulation and the magic of technology. After the scenes were filmed then the digital artists worked to remove the equipment that helped the actors complete the feats. The visions of China and the exciting ninja action captured my imagination. Ang Lee required the actors to learning to speak Mandarin Chinese. The language accuracy may not seem important to those of us who do not speak Chinese, but it is the difference between cultures within China. I was left with the feeling that I had spent time in a sacred place. Throughout the film there is the artistry of the music. Segments will take you to dreamland while other sequences will cause a rush of adrenaline. It is as if you are riding on a magic carpet -- you are there. I purchased two DVDs -- one for me and one for my nephew -- *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* is that good. It is better than five stars for the director (Ang Lee), cinematography, choreography, film editing, script, actors, action, philosophy, and emotions. This movie won Best Picture in the Foreign Language category at the Academy Awards; and it deserved the honor.
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