Rating: 
Summary: "Zen" Poetry in Motion
Review: It's a great movie where I can use the minute to minute fighting scenes as metaphors for life. For example, the bamboo scene really touched me. Two people were fighting on a moving limb. One was ruffled-the other was calm. When one person jumped off the limb, the other person flung off...quite poetic. Another scene was when the 2 women fought each other. One had the sharp sword [Green Destiny]. The other had a metal rod (like a sledge hammer), and everything the sledgehammer hit, the resultant object shattered to pieces. Nonetheless, the Green destiny sword cut the sledgehammer in half, but the older woman [Michele Yeoh] said to the younger woman, "You are nothing without the [sharp] Green Destiny [sword]." The first time I saw the movie, I thought the movie was primarily about the young woman with brimming talent and skill. Upon the second time I saw the film, the movie seemed more about the middle aged woman's unrelenting mercy and compassion.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, fun, fun!
Review: First off, this is NOT history of China nor does it have much of a serious side. YES, there are romantic moments, but lets face it, this movie is a roller coaster ride of martial art action and beautiful landscapes.
In it is Chow Yun Fat, the lovely Zhang Ziyi (who also was in 'The Road Home') along with Michelle Yeoh (who you should know from the Jackie Chan and James Bond movies).
The director, Ang Lee, also directed 'Eat Drink Man Woman'.
The background music is perfect and the extras are nice.
Sit down, turn down the lights, get some popcorn (OK, LOTS of popcorn), unplug the phone and ENJOY!
Rating:
Summary: The Green Destiny Is Mine!
Review: What's so strange is that this movie apparently didn't do that great in China since it was so run of the mill to them. To American audiences though, it got popular very quickly. Hong Kong cinema was finally here to stay for a while thanks to Crouching Tiger. The premise is very simple, but the star of the movie is the action. Yes, the action in this movie is incredible..... actors fly around (literally) on wires and do amazing fight scenes. The cinematography is very nice too, you actually get to see the different parts of China. It was certainly a revolutionary film in the US. The DVD I have is the original non-superbit release. The picture is fairly sharp, though soft in some places. The audio comes in different language dubs, but I must say that watching it in Chinese with the English subtitles is the way most of you will choose to watch it. There are some extras on the disc, which is what makes this disc better than the superbit edition since no superbit title has any extra features. Whether you choose to get this edition or the superbit is up to you... there are advantages and disadvantages either way.
Rating:
Summary: action AND beauty.. it dont get much better than this!
Review: I am a big kung-fu movie fan. However I also like weird beautiful movies like City of Lost Children. Most kung-fu movies (with the exception of the Once upon a Time in China series and a few others) are kind of well... cinematographically challenged? But scrap that thought for THIS one! this movie has GORGEOUS cinematography, beautiful sets and costume designs (a wide variety too!) not to mention kick-butt action sequences AND a captivating story to boot! This movie is what I call dream-fuel.. the imagery stays in your head and gets recycled in your best dreams.
The story is mostly romance.. but not in a bad way fellows! because you still have the awesome fight scenes.
Its the story of a master martial artist who gets tired of fighting and tries to resign, handing is his magical jade sword to a friend for safe-keeping. (This friend being the love interest.. well, SHEs in love anyways, we dont know about HIM) unfortunatly the sword gets stolen, the master goes after the theif who turns out to be a young woman with great skill and even more potential, this interests the master and he starts chasing her because he wants to teach her. Unfortunatly this girl is rather confused.. wavering between the brainwashing she received since childhood to hate the master or the hunger to learn more. in the end theres a showdown and choices of life and death are made and I shan't say anymore. watch it :)
Rating: 
Summary: Float like a Butterfly...
Review: It is should be no surprise that I only just decided to view this film. As a Johnny come lately to the world of DVD, and a rare theatergoer, my excuse is that I am simply slow on the uptake. In addition, I am a bit of a rebel which means that I usually thing that 10 million viewers cant possible be right. It is also difficult to have something interesting to say when you are the thousandth reviewer. Like just about everyone else, I agree that this is an exceptional film, especially in its genre as a Hong Kong fight film, but also as a piece of filmic art. Certainly, the cinematography is immaculate. I felt transported to a magical China. Whether the scenes are panoramic vistas, visions of life in Chinese towns, or close settings in homes or caves, Ang Lee has spared no effort as being breathtaking and realistic. While the story is not unique, it is well presented, and the actors quite believable. It has several layers, the most important being the difficult role of strong women in Chinese culture. Perhaps the least important being the retrieval of the sword Green Destiny, stolen by young Jen who desperately does not want to become a noble Chinese homemaker, although that is the source of the plot. What makes the film special in its genre is the focus on emotions and personal feelings, rather than fight scenes and bravado. I'm going to be honest though, this is still a Hong Kong fight film, one where the players pause from the spectacular fight sequences to do some pretty professional emoting. Good stuff, but don't fall for the hype that makes the film sound like the next Doctor Zhivago. It is a very strong fight film with surprising depths, but it is not a dramatic masterpiece The thing I liked least was the wirework. It simply goes too far. The actors dance across the rooftops like Peter Pan and Wendy, with nary a thump, bonk or rustle. They never quite touch down and it is rare that someone actually is hit. Even in anime, where characters float about all the time, a hit is a hit and things bend when you land on them. It is very hard to take a fight seen seriously when the actors float about like leaves. One the other hand, the choreography is amazing, and it is surprising that no one ever accidentally does major damage to themselves or someone else. I'm only giving the film a four simply because I disagree with critics like Joe Siegel who declared this 'One of the greatest movies ever made.' This is hype, and distorts the real values of the film. It demonstrated that a genre that is rarely treated seriously is capable of being much more than it has been until now. Hopefully, this trend will continue.
Rating:
Summary: It's about the Chinese Philosophy and the fairy tale
Review: I found some people who don't understand Chinese martial art films or who never watched martial art films before ridiculed how people can fly. They probably don't realize that it is the essential part in all martial art movies. It is the rule, which people who watch martial art films are supposed to follow and appreciate. However, Couching Tiger Hidden Dragon is not just that. The sound design was amazing. It also delivered some very important message about Chinese philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Stunning
Review: To all the naysayers who commented about "people not being able to fly like that", did you not realize this was a Chinese fantasy? Director Ang Lee had made a masterpiece combining the most graceful form of martial arts with drama, cinematography, score and wonderful acting on screen. This movie ranks along side the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars as my top favorite epics, all of which display a lot of heart and emotion by the characters portrayed. I had not seen this movie when it went up against Gladiator for Best Picture. Now, looking back, I think this movie was far more superior in quality and deserved that title Oscar. I'll admit I'm biased because I'm half Asian, and I understand the underlying social tensions and suppressions the characters were feeling; yet, despite it all, they upheld themselves with diginity. In the end, each realized that the true lesson in life was to be true to oneself. How romantic and bitterweet. This is a must-see film. Don't dismiss it because you're not a fan of Kung-Fu. It's much more than that. It's absolutely brilliant!
Rating: 
Summary: Going to explain the "flying" thing...
Review: I guess it's a part of the chinese movie culture. People that do Kung Fu will be able to fly. You don't challenge it with questions as to how, but you just accept it. I've been watching REAL Chinese movies ever since I can remember. And this puzzled me too, since I was raised in the US. But, that's just the way it is. Remember, this is a MOVIE. You can't expect everything to be rational. It's make-believe for god sakes. You don't ask how come monkeys can talk in George Of The Jungle or go "MONKEYS DON'T TALK LIKE THAT," now do you?? People being able to fly is the beauty of Chinese movie, don't look down upon it just because it's foreign to you. Back to the movie: I hated it. The movie was too slow for my taste. And the plot, or lack of, was a total disgrace. One word: BORING. In a typical Chinese movie, there's always several plots intertwined (sp?) into one big story. And they usually come in 10+ tapes, so the whole story can play out. But here, the characters are forced. I'm going to go back to my real Chinese videos with an actual. Why couldn't they have spent millions on a plot that was worthwhile? Hopefully they bring some of the really good chinese movies to the American public.
Rating:
Summary: A Taiwanese film that deserves to be watched over and over
Review: Depite the setting and the origin of some of the actors, this film actually came from Taiwan. It's one of those classics that deserves to be watched over and over throughout a lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: A must see, even if you don't like Kung Fu!!!
Review: A lot of people will look at this movie and say that they don't like martial arts movies, and then they will avoid watching it. This is a real mistake!! If you give this movie a chance, you will love it- I promise. This is not a martial arts movie, this is a drama/love story set in China. Speaking of China, make sure to watch this movie with subtitles rather than in English, because whoever translated for the dubbed version ruined the movie. Stick to the subtitled Mandarin Chinese version and you will be a lot better off.
This movie is a real masterpiece! The setting and scenery are beyond compare, and the acting is first rate as well. This movie will realy get you thinking about the priorties in you life, and maybe help you reorganize them. The story is all about love had and given away, as well as love ignored. The relationship between the characters played by Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh is stunning, and they could not have cast those characters better. The class struggle between the other two main characters is also brilliant. All of this powerful story set in some of the most beautiful backdrops I have seen make this movie a instant classic. I really wanted to see China for myself after watching this movie, and you will too...
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