Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining? Yes! Spiritually enlightening? Well....
Review: Occasionally, a movie comes along that captures the hearts and imaginations of a vast number of moviegoers. Often, it seems to come out of nowhere. I say this because it is a movie that opens under the radar screen of the business types in Tinseltown. Such a film creates a 'buzz' among audiences who then discuss and debate it. This leads to more people's wanting to see it, if for no reason other than to find out what all the talk is about. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one such movie. Who would have dreamed that a Chinese martial arts film, in which the characters speak Mandarin, could take in over a hundred million dollars and be nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture? The story is perhaps more about love than it is about fighting. It takes place long ago in a time where myths. legends and magical things were created. Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien [Yun-Fat chow and Michelle Yeoh] are two warriors whose love for each either has remained unspoken. When Li Mu's ancient sword is stolen by a powerful enemy, the witch-like Jade Fox, he tells Shu Lien that it doesn't matter too much because he is no longer going to fight. Shu Lien goes to visit a powerful friend and discovers that a governor's beautiful and mysterious daughter, Jen [Ziyi Zhang], may have had a hand in the theft. Jen's father has arranged a marriage for her, but her heart secretly yearns for Lo [Chen Chang], a desert bandit who once kidnapped her and fell in love with her. The lives of these four characters intersect in some strange and quite unexpected ways. The power of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon lies in director Ang Lee's lyrical approach. The characters practice a form of martial arts in which they literally fly into the air. They run effortlessly up walls and even fight among the treetops. As choreographed by Yuen Puo-Ping, who also worked on The Matrix, the fight scenes are more flights of fancy and breathtaking dances than they are blood and guts. Filmed on location in rural China, the movie contains some spectacular scenery and glorious architecture. While I am praising the film, I must also admit that it did not blow me away like it did many audiences and critics. No movie, no matter how near perfection it is, has universal appeal. I think my problem here is that I am rarely inspired by dialog such as 'a faithful heart makes wishes come true.' Or, 'sharpness is a state of mind.' Such phrases sound good and are often true, but they are oversimplifications of complex issues and are often used to hold power over the gullible and the naive. The movie is filled with such talk, which I found tiresome after a while. Ironically, I am more impressed with Lee's English-langauge movies, especially Sense and Sensibility and The Ice Storm. I cannot be deny that Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a beautiful and entertaining movie. I simply do not see that it has the depth that others have claim it has.
Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful martial art scene !
Review: This film was quite famous in the world this year even it obtained several prizes at the Academy Awards. However, it was particularly unnoticed in Asia countries. What is the reason of this? The reason is this film was not a fresh film for Asia people. They have already seen many films like this style. It was just a well-made one. However, it attracted public attention and people acknowledged it as a splendid film especially in the Western countries. Furthermore, it won a prize for foreign language film at the Academy Awards. Director Ang Lee who came from Taiwan made it, but Columbia Pictures presented it, which is America Company. Therefore, an American film is why it can receive a prize at the Oscar. The title of this film means the name of characters; there are four main characters in this film. Among these, two young man and woman¡¯s name are tiger and dragon. These names are very common in Asia countries, especially in China and Korea. Two men and two women, they classify into young and old. It has many meanings. First of all, the best warrior, Li Mu Bai and a woman who loves him. They love each other, but they do not appear above the surface their love. On the contrary, young man and woman, Dragon and Tiger, they do love passionately. Therefore, they do not care about anything for their love. Li Mu Bai, he does not like to be proud of his military arts and actually, he wants to retire in the public. The sword is no meaning for him any more. However, Tiger, she likes to be boast of her skills and want to be the best warrior. Therefore, she wants to beat Li Mu Bai. She does not care about anything just for the best. Four main characters describe this film as they contrast each other. Frankly speaking, I have seen this pattern from the films, which made by director, Kar-wai Wong. For example, ¡®Ashes of Time (1994)¡¯, ¡®Chungking Express (1995)¡¯ and ¡®Fallen Angels (1997)¡¯, like these films, they have a same pattern. Four main characters, two men and two women, they are all related to each other. I do not know exactly what Ang Lee thinks about it and why he creates four people. Nevertheless, it looks like similar style compare with Kar-wai Wong¡¯s works. In addition, gorgeous martial art scenes, especially the scene which
Li Mu Bai chases Tiger in the bamboo forest, and standing on the bamboo tree. This is the best part of this film. In fact, it had been shown at the films of director, King Hu who was the most famous director like these kinds of film. In his film, ¡®A Touch of Zen (1969)¡¯, there is a bamboo scene like this film. Anyway, this film was good for description each character and beautiful scenes of landscape in China. The most impression scene was a last scene; Tiger jump into the cloud on the cliff. It was like a freeman who throws away every bonds of human. Finally, she found a freedom.
Rating: 
Summary: Chow Yun-Fat Delivers More Pointless Violence
Review: This movie epitomizes B-grade Hong Kong action films. The plot is purposefully underdeveloped, with little or no explanation for the characters' undertakings. The tacky romantic sub-plot between the noble girl and the barbarian does not even hint at the intense disdain with which the Han Chinese universally viewed their nomadic neighbors. Imagine a movie set in 1850 Alabama portraying a marriage between an ex-slave and a genteel white woman, and not even mentioning the race issue. The movie's violence is excessive, and normally takes place for no particular reason. I didn't find the special effects even remotely as impressive as some movie critics did. The wires from which the characters hang are blatantly visible. The cast probably should have watched some track and field athletes doing long jumps to figure out how to simulate jumping motions with some vague appearance of reality. The worst part, however, is that these ridiculous scenes distance the audience from the characters. It is difficult to empathize with these superhuman warriors, and you almost feel glad to see them beaten. In short, the hokey special effects make mindless Hollywood action films like The Rock seem poignant in comparison. If you want Chow Yun-Fat at his best (worst?), forget this dud and get Hard Boiled, where at least the random violence is visually impressive.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but overrated.
Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the usaul Japanese action flick, with tons of action scenes and a "mystical" plot. The special effects look cheap in some places, such as when they're walking on buidings, fighting on trees, etc. And another problem:I've seen the VHS version and that's dubbed,if this is t same, it could be "bad for non-reader's eyes". Another problem is it was so overhyped at the Oscars. I mean, it wasn't that great! But, don't get me wrong, this a good movie, despite all the negative comments i've made so far. It's not as gory as you may think besides a little blade-in-head shot, but really, that's about it. Now, could you try to get me 100 "Yeses" like you did that other guy?
Rating:
Summary: What's the big deal?
Review: To be honest with you, the movie made no sense at all. With people flying over water, flying on tree limbs, and a loose plot, what is the movie really about. I must admit the martial arts scenes were amazing. The dvd features are a big plus. I don't know how they were able to put so many special features on one disc. It has a trailer, pics, and all the basic stuff and many more.
Rating:
Summary: Trashy Action Flick
Review: It's puzzling that the likes of Hong Kong can afford the advertising outlay to play in American multiplexes and thereby acquire "star" status for it's actors like Chow Fat while Japan cannot. Or France or Italy for that matter. Is it because these are really Hollywood financed films taking advantage of corporate liberalization as in Cuba as well?
Or is it just Hollywood/China racism?
Rating:
Summary: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the best!
Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is simply ... A ... film with idiotic performances by its stars, Michelle Yeoh, Chow yun fat, and especially Zhang Ziyi. Director Ang Lee along with his choreographer tell this ludicrous story in a irritating and silly visual way that makes this film one of the worst ever made. The action scenes in this film are really goofy, and are beaten by any other action film ever made. Along with the action, is the worst story and clownish characters that reflect influences from Beavis and Butthead, and parallel Timmy of the South Park trilogy, but remain consistent with cartoon fluff which permeates throughout the story. In fact, the main characters, especially Jen, portrayed by the talented Zhang Ziyi , seem to question that they are being paid enough to be in this ... throughout the film, almost rebelling against the idiocy of this film. This is foreshadowed in the beginning of the film when Yun-fat's character describes how his paycheck leads him to a place of sorrow instead of enlightenment. In a later scene, Yeoh 's character questions the script, pointing out that having dialogue about such things as "the touch of her hand is real,not an illusion, even though it is of this world" makes him want more money cause he knows this will kill his career. However it is also the discipline of this eastern spirituality that gives these idiots their ability to fly all over the place. The main character Jen, abuses this power, along with the power given to her when she posesses the Green Destiny, a magical and powerful sword, owned by the wizard -like, or clown- like, character portrayed by Chow Yun-Fat. The Green Destiny, much like the shoes of power in lord of the dance, or the farce in Spaceballs, becomes a power that threatens to consume Jen's career. Throughout the film , Jen rebels against possibility of a career. Even during the action scenes, as Chow Yun-Fat's character scolds her, she responds by flushing her meager talent down the toilet. Her rebellion is also reflected in her love for money. Jen's rebellion is an extreme one, however, that leads to such deep despair, knowing she will never act again. This movie has nothing one wants in an epic, bad story, acting, cinematography, directing, score. This film shouldn't win an Oscar for Best Picture... Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is truly a terrible film.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful story of good vs evil and unrequited love
Review: When a mystical sword is stolen it sparks a quest to find the thief, who may or may not be the mysterious Jade Fox. This not only causes the unrequited love between Master Bai and Yu Shu Lien to be further postponed by duty, but also signals the development of Jen Yu and her romantic discovery. As the identify of the thief is gradually revealed a showdown looms with both Bai and Lien representing the good and the thief representing evil. A wonderful film in that it managed to make a whole generation of multiplex-only movie watchers that not all good things only come out of America. However there is much to enjoy in this film that still will have been lost on such an audience. The film mixes a raft of subplots around the main focus of the theft of the sword. However we also have the development, romance and envious greed of Jen Yu, the conflict between Yu and Yu Shu Lien and of course the love between Master Li Mu Bai and Lien that has been put off due to duty. The stories all work well - the mystery surrounding the stolen sword and the search for Jade Fox make for a compelling mystery while the romance between Master Bai and Lien is beautifully observed throughout. The story surrounding Jen Yu is very good as it follows her development throughout however her desert romance is perhaps a little too slow for a martial arts movie. The only complaint about the stories is that they are a little heavy for a martial arts film - or maybe there is too much fighting for a well plotted movie? Actually it's probably a brave mix that has some of the best of both worlds. The martial arts action is sensational - Yuen Wo Ping excels himself with one stunning visual treat after another. The wire work is great even by Hong Kong standards - imagine the impact this had on an audience who thought that wire-work had been invented by the Matrix! The standout scenes are the battle between Lien and Jen Yu and the Jen Yu's battle in a crowded barroom. The only complaint I did have is that the treetop fight near the end was not as exciting as other scenes and was also the least realistic and came across as silly at times. In terms of visuals, the film is beautifully shot and picks up the gorgeous Chinese landscape well - the only problem being that this seems to distract from the main story. Michelle Yeoh is as impressive and as beautiful as she is in everything else I've seen her in - you can keep your Julia Roberts rom-coms, I want more of Yeoh's acting talents rather than pure star power. Chow Yun-Fat is excellent as Master Bai and he works well in his scenes with Yeoh. He even manages the martial arts really well despite not having made one before but I would have liked to see first choice Jet Li in the role. The standout is Zhang Ziyi in only her second film. She shines in the most difficult character and manages to convey so much and still be excellent in complex fight scenes. And how does Hollywood reward her? By sticking her in Rush Hour 2! That's like taking a beautiful flower and trying to plant it in the middle of a concrete slab! Overall it's a little slow for the martial arts crowd but it is a wonderful mix of Lee's art house films and the martial arts genre. At times the mysticism gets a bit too heavy to be truly meaningful but it's an exquisitely beautiful piece of filmmaking.
Rating: 
Summary: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
Review: THE STORY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, THE ACTION SCENE'S WERE SOMETHING YOU WON'T SEE IN ANY OTHER MOVIE. THE LOVE STORY WAS AMAZING, BETWEEN CHOW YUN FAT AND MICHELLE YEOH, THEY LOVED EACH OTHER BUT KEPT THEIR TRADITIONS. I HAVE WATCHED THIS MANY TIMES AND IT IS A STORY THAT HAS NEVER BEEN TOLD. GREAT MOVIE!!
Rating:
Summary: Love Story, and Tragedy then Martial Arts
Review: If you watch only the trailers relating, and decide that this is not the movie for you, then you are depriving yourself of one of the better and recent releases that has come out of the orient. There is a good balance of drama, comedy, and yes some stylistic martial arts but always subdued and complementing the plot lines involving the main characters. These are characters that have flaws and desires to be sure, but making them human and with depth. In other words, you will care what will happen next. Even the immidiate supporting cast show enough of their feelings that allows you to enjoy several, not one plot line. This is not a run of the mill Kung Fu in the Chop Souy expess line that you tune on cable TV during an insomnia spell. Also, you would problably enjoy the soundtrack as well.
|
