Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Rating:
Summary: A Fantasy Film with great Power
Review: I must say that this film was far different than anything I've ever seen in my life. First off, I've never really watched many foriegn films, so that was a problem, but I also never really seen any Chinese or Japanese (except Anime) films. So you can imagine my shock when seeing this film. I like the attention to detail in the film and the awesome costumes used. But what I also loved, was the amazing wire-work done in the film. Sure I was suprised by the flying at first, but I soon became enveloped in the new style of film. Sure, there were some people around me who were concealed and even snickered at their flying, but they obviously don't understand the Chinese culture. The fighting (as to what kind, I'm unsure) in this movie was something to behold. It was very fast and very well executed by these people. This is what more movies should learn how to do, it was simply amazing. Lastly, I must compliment the music. It was no Hans Zimmer, but that is why it is so great, because it is so different and so Chinese. It is very interesting to hear this kind of music in a movie because it is not commonly used. All in all, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon has it all when it comes to this kind of film. Sure, you may dismiss the flying and maybe the sometimes elaborate acts as too far fetched, but this is a fantasy film, not a real life film. What would the world be like if we couldn't suspend disbelief? My suggestion is that you get this film right away when it comes out, because this is truly a film like no other.

Rating:
Summary: Forget Oscars - You will enjoy watching this
Review: Not all Oscar award movies are popular. I am sure you will definitely enjoy this movie. Is it possible for human beings to fly ? Are marshall arts that effective ? These are the first thoughts that strike ones mind after watching Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon. Music is fantastic. Photography is memorable. Costumes and hairstyle will surely attract your eye-balls. Wonderful photography. Superb fights.It is worth watching once - you will never forget this movie. Do not miss it.

Rating:
Summary: Should not take the oscar
Review: I have gone to see the movie based on critics and commercial reviews that the movie is a candidate for OSCAR (best movie). I was disappointed as it lacks most of the qualities. 75% or more of the time were scenes for people fighting with each other, where is the art or creativity in that? The special effects are good but that is it. I remember I saw similar movies when I was a kid for Bros-lee and other Karatte heroes, but these were kids movies, not ones that compete for the Oscar. The acting was very unnatural and poor. And there was this long flash-back that took about 30 minutes, in which I thought I was seeing another movie.

Rating:
Summary: a review
Review: The movie was very good in my opinion, not great, but very enjoyable. It kind of elevated the genre to where it should be. However, the movie still belongs to a genre and therefore it has all the problems that are associated with it. I haven't really read a negative review here that was written by someone with an ounce of brain. On the other hand I feel like the majority of people that are giving -six- stars have been somehow "brain-bleached" by the super reviews that this movie received. Once again someone has somehow ascended (or descended) to the level of "american sweetheart" foreign personality. It's now Ang Lee's turn. All you got to do is fuel the american fashination with the super-hero through the right mass-marketing scheme. Top that off with an oscar nomination and there you have an instant classic that americans will eat right up. The fighting scenes were superb, when they remained at ground level. The flying scenes got on my nerves very, very quickly. It would have been more fun to see the harnesses since it looked like people were hanging by their buttholes ahiahiahi! I found the the story line, the love stories, and the depiction of imperial China, of which I know nothing about, very enjoyable and captivating. It's probably a good idea to see this movie at the theater.

Rating:
Summary: A brain-blasting masterpiece
Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Score: 98/100

Not been a big fan of martial arts movies, I was pleasantly surprised by Ang Lee's gorgeous 2000 release, which is able to mix thrills, action, adventure, romance and dramatic events into an acceptable running time. This universally acclaimed masterpiece has only been released a month or so, and already, it has become a cinema landmark.

Set in a mythical China of the early 19th century, a romantic epic is spun about the theft of an ancient sword known as Green Destiny. The owner, renowned warrior Li Mui Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), and female fighter, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), discover the culprit is a young aristocrat, Jen (Zhang Ziyi), whose martial arts skills are unprecedented. As the older warriors attempt to tame this wild spirit, it becomes clear she is also under the influence of an evil force.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the kind of cinema experience that only comes along once in a lifetime and leaves you gasping for air. You can even tell this is going to be a masterful film by watching the opening credits, and you're heart will be racing during all the fight scenes and all the scenes of emotional depth in the film. Ang Lee's direction effort is quite simply amazing, he controls his cast and crew perfectly, and his powerful punch to the film definitely should earn him the Golden Globe he has got, and the Oscar he better get. Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh must be credited for their awesome performances, and long-haired romantic touch Chang Cheng has a personality off-screen and on-screen that makes you love him and his character more and more each time he swash-buckles onto the screen. But, clearly the real talent here lies with Zhang Ziyi as the stunning Jen. She gives quite possibly the most convincing non-English performance since Franka Potente in Run Lola Run, and gives a role that will live forever in my memory.

By far the best film of 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a heart-pounding adventure, that will surely become a classic in years to come.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic When East Meets West
Review: When I saw the film the first time, I thought that Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon is not a proper name for the film as the name implies a lot of "yang" power as derived from a large number of warriors or swordsman fighting in big battles, something like a Chinse Kurosawa samurai film, or an Apollonian epic in the westerners' sense. So may it I should give it a four stars, I thought, as it failed to be a "real" wuxia epic.

Then I saw the film the second time. I began to understand that it was a better film than I first thought. And the title serves the film well. It must also be a qualified five-star film and even one of the classic or masterpiece in film history. It must be one of the best 100 films if AFI re-counted the best 100, that is, if CTHD could be regarded as a Hollywood Film.

First the casting is perfect. Chow Yun-fat is the best choice as a romantic wuxia swordsman as he could act as Li Mubai a taoist swordsman who knows woman's feelings but on the other hand also a master of Taoist wisdom and Chinese masculinity. It is also the film of Michelle Yeoh in which she showed she could really act well (the rest of her film wasted her talents, I am afraid), to the credit of Ang Lee who must have given her a lot of acting advice, I believe. Then Zhang Ziyi is a knockout actress - the perfect Jen - sensitive, sensual and sensational -an upstart Saint Joan whom all masters want to disciple.

Second the music composed by Tan Dun and played by Ma Yo-yo is just a magic touch of Michaelangelo - the drum beats and the cello are just like brush of energy and emotions mixed together, a perfect balance of yin and yang; and the film, a balance of action and romance.

I have seen quite a number of reviews in Amazon and I think quite a number of western reviewers have misunderstood the movie. It is not an action film like one from Bruce Lee and it is not a romantic film like Chow's An Autumn's Tale (which Chow showed he could be a real romantic actor). It is actually a film in which the Director Ang Lee searched for his Chinese orign, a film of Chinese philosophy, Chinese psychology and Chinese art and medicine as embracive as the Book of Change, but intended mainly for the western audience with a message. In this sense, I finally found the title of the film Crouching Tiger and Hiddren Dragon suits perfectly as it demonstrated the tremendous psyche exhibited by the film - a hidden power for love, hatred, self-destruction in all human being. This is why, I believe, one reviewer compares the film to a Greek tragedy.

See it, and understand more about Chinese culture, and the message Ang Lee wanted to convey: we human being are just the same (be it Oriental or Occidental), vulerable and bigoted as the mortal or may be even the immortal as depicted in the Greek mythology. A classic when east meets west.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most incredible movies in history
Review: I've been a Kung Fu flick addict for years. I've had every VHS Tape and DVD showcasing such martial artists as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Jett Lee, etc. Such great cult classics like The Five Deadly Venoms, Drunken Master, The Kid with the Golden Arm, ect. have filled my cabinets. I must say that this film, CTHD, is absolutely a work of art. What makes it so great? If you take away the epic story, would it be a great movie? Yes! If you took out the Martial arts, would it be great...Yes! You see there are so many truely masterful facets to this move, that removing one aspect doesn't even phase it. Due to the deep story line, special effects and martial arts, this movie has crept up unsuspectedly on the viewing public and has made it's mark along side such great movies as The Matrix and The Titanic (action wise and story wise). Anyone who buys this movie will NOT be disappointed. This is a must have in every "video-phile's" personal collection, whether you like martial arts or not!

Rating:
Summary: Good filming, but pure romanticism
Review: It was funny seeing this film that was made specially with an American audience in mind. Loved the filming, thought Michelle Yeow and Chow Yun Fat were horrible. They can't speak mandarin for nuts. Plot was really dumb and the kung fu just added to the stereotype that martial arts is highly valued in Chinese culture, which it is not at all. Somehow, one thinks if this film is but not oriental romanticism. I know many of my friends who didn't like the film because of that reason, in fact, some were offended. Personally, I thought the Xinjiang chapter was the most beautiful and enchanting part of the film. the chemistry was really there. Anyway, yes, this film deserves a few oscars here and there. and who knows, it may just out seat Gladiator. haha.

Rating:
Summary: Why CTHD is like 'The Matrix'. No, really.
Review: It's not the wire-fu, or the Eastern influence, or anything like that. It's that those movie-goers who aren't familiar with the genre were completely blown away by the epic sweep and polish of the film.

CTHD is perhaps a fine definition of the term 'epic'. Count 'em: two love stories, both somewhat forbidden, several huge landscapes, characters with dignity, poise, and adult motivations, and enough eye-popping fight scenes to shake a Green Destiny at. For me, at least, it's the kind of film that leaves you staggering out of the cinema, with your faith in the direction of modern film-making at least somewhat revived. In an era of cheesy TV series remakes, pointless big-bidget action sequels and formulaic big-name romantic comedies, there are at least some films which can feel fresh, young, and honest.

And for those complaining about subtitles or flying powers: please don't bother. If films were only about real life, no-one would watch them. Suspension of disbelief is why we watch James Bond, Captain Kirk, and Ellen Ripley. Do this film the same courtesy, please.

Rating:
Summary: Best movie in a quarter century
Review: It may be too soon to call this one of the best movies of all time without first having it pass the test of time. Will I still be pulling out my DVD copy to watch over and over twenty years from now? I willing to bet the answer is, 'Absolutely!'

If for no other reason, CTHD is worth seeing for the scenery alone. It is the most breathtakingly beautiful movie I have ever seen. It even surpasses the flamingo scene from 'Out of Africa'. The musical score meshes perfectly with every scene, my particular favorite being the drum sequence during the first fight between Shu Lien and Jen in the Forbidden City. And then there is the fighting itself, which is so much more artistic in nature than the mere brawling styles of Segal or Van Damme, that one finds themselves entranced.

Many people have been comparing CTHD to 'The Matrix', which is fine as far as the comparison goes, but that doesn't come close to capturing the whole picture. This film has the physical intensity of The Matrix but with the dexterity and gracefulness of a ballet, the cinemagraphics of Lawrence of Arabia, the subtlety of Hamlet, and the intrigue of King Lear, all wrapped up in a fantasy of romance and adventure.

Yet evidently the film did not do as well in Hong Kong as it did in the U.S. The reason, at least according to the papers, is that there was not enough martial arts violence to appease the Hong Kong crowd and that flying through a bamboo forest was too unrealistic. As opposed to realistic films such as Superman? Indiana Jones? Star Trek? CTHD is an elegant fantasy, not some one dimensional John Woo action flick with big explosions for people with attention deficit disorder. You have to read subtitles (if you don't speak Mandarin), and you have to think, and you have to follow the intertwining lives of four different characters, all of whom give masterful performances and none of which drown out the performances of the others.

Heroism, honor, discipline, faithfulness, as well as treachery, guilt, regret, and sorrow, character traits that are so often missing from the shallow plots and cookie cutter roles that Hollywood so often churns out, are in abundance in this film. Shu Lien, Li Mu Bai, Jen, and Lo are more real, that is say more believable as true personalities, than any of the characters in the more "realistic" martial arts films that the people of Hong Kong seem to prefer.

I am a big fan of Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and the Hong Kong action genre (John Woo notwithstanding), but this is not that kind of film and should not be compared to that style.

We will soon see if the 'academy' has the sophistication to give CTHD the Best Picture Oscar it deserves.