Rating: 
Summary: A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME......
Review: It's high tech that's for sure, but it's kickbox movie and just that. If you like them than this is for you. If you don't, you'll find this to be a colorful bore, as I did.
Surely there are other ways to tell the Chinese that we really like them other than by heaping praise on this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes Me Wish I Spoke Whatever Language That Is
Review: Stupid Sony DVD won't play in my fancy PC DVD player. But DVDDecoder works and I can watch it that way. Anyway, I wish I had seen this movie in a theater because it's the kind of movie they make giant screens for. Visually stunning and emotionally heartbreaking. Amazing movie. The music is also fantastic. The martial-arts stuff is uniquely artistic.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD special features good, but Schamus is a schmuck.
Review: First, I completely love the movie, hence the five stars. Second, I got the DVD, but hated the director's commentary. The director's commentary is the major reason why I invest in DVDs rather than video tapes. As an artsy-fartsy person, I love hearing directors' philosophies/development of ideas about characters and scenes. However,I was quite annoyed with this one because everytime Ang Lee (the director) was on the verge of sharing something interesting, James Schamus (the producer) would butt in with a "that's boring" or "why talk about that?" followed by really inane knuckle-dragging commentary or a statement of the obvious ("there's so-and-so walking down the street...there's so-and-so on a horse", etc.). He contributed nothing important except a need to sound really "cool" with "cool guy talk". My listening/watching experience was constantly filled with me shouting at my TV (at James Schamus) to be quiet and let Ang Lee finish what he was saying. Maybe I'm the one that's the oddball nerd, but I REALLY did want to hear things such as why the mystical sword was given its special sound effect or the philosophy behind why some characters could fly and others could not. I would be intrigued with a bit of spicy info, then left hanging thanks to Mr. Schamus.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie...!
Review: Great action sequences. The one where Michelle Yoeh is chasing Zhang Ziyi was great film editing (this is if you're patient enough to wait for it. This movie starts off kinda slow). Those less-forgiving movie watchers might have to get used to everybody flying around like Peter Pan and also the rather pointless 20-minute flashback. Great movie otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: A Breathtaking Epic.
Review: While I won't pretend to know all there is to know about Eastern Philosophy and the Martial Arts, I do know what I like and what feeds my soul and this brilliant film does that in spades. Directed by Ang Lee with a touch of magic, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has the feel and pacing of a Shakespearean tragedy, but packs more action into it's exquisitely staged battle sequences than a thousand tired Hollywood retreads. The acting of stars Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and the legendary Chow Yun Fat anchors this beautifully told story (to me, the underlying love between it's two main characters is the real story here) and manage to strike a stunning balance between the violence of the fight scenes and serenity of thier quiet longing for one another. The story itself is fairly simple, but the execution is astounding.
"Crouching Tiger..." also features some of the best special effects ever seen in modern cinema and will surely capture and enrapture all who are blessed to witness it. One viewing is all it takes, and the barriers of the language, culture and politics of the setting will melt away, and you're left with one of the greatest cinematic experiences ever. A Modern Classic.
Rating:
Summary: Merely Average
Review: I'm one of a minority breed that neither loved nor hated this film. It has some good points like some great acting and a vaguely intriguing if somewhat drawn out storyline and it also had some bad points, notably some of the special effects which were nothing sort of pathetic (the flying scenes etc.) Its one of those films that you have to make your own judgement on but personally its not something that I'd watch again so rent before you buy!
Rating:
Summary: Holy moley. If you don't buy this, you should sell your TV.
Review: Fights, passion, fights, gentle humor, fights, fights, and a couple of excellent fights. Oh, and beautiful cinamatography. This film was the reason Chow Yun-Fat was born....
Rating:
Summary: The perfect marriage of love story and martial arts
Review: I don't think I can put to words how much I love this film. I have seen it well over twenty times, and every time I see it, the power of the film's message still makes me weepy. This move is beautiful. That one word pretty much sums up the entire film. I really have to stress that anyone who thinks the ending sucks has never been in love. When they do someday, they should go back and see this movie. They will understand it completely at that moment.Chow Yun-Fat has always been one of my favorite actors. He helped set a start to the Hong Kong Blood Opera genre that John Woo has perfected (see Hard Boiled, now) and is perfect for this movie. Michelle Yeoh is breathtaking in this film. Some may argue that she looks old, but I think her beauty is natural and timeless. I saw her in Tomorrow Never Dies, but never expected her to pull in a performance like this. Zhang Ziyi is going to bear my children someday. I always say this to my friends everytime I watch the movie, and I say it again when I see Rush Hour 2. Not only is she stunning, but she can pull off even the most complicated of fight scenes. It comes down to one simple thing. I first saw this movie with my girlfriend in theaters. She cried at the end, and I was quite near tears. Then we saw it again the next week. The emotions were exactly the same. I love this film, and I can gurantee you that it will remain a timeless classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Very displeased!
Review: I would probably enjoy this movie more if it didn't have all that unrealistic, silly-looking, flying about. C'mon, there is something to be said about general common sense. That fact that this movie got all those awards, only has me question the integrity of how movie awards are selected and praised. I almost bought this stupid movie before I seen it. I'm sure glad I refrained. I wouldn't keep this movie if it were given to me. Too bad, too, because I usually love asian films. I even like Michelle Yeoh. But, this movie, just looked silly. Sorry!
Rating:
Summary: a rare thought provoking film
Review: Okay, I am one of those people who did not care for a certain other recent "critically acclaimed cinematic epic", so I was worried if I would enjoy this film because of its hype....and I honestly did.
The action sequences aren't as gratuitous as I had worried prior to watching, they flow nice and you instantly accept the fairy tale flight of these warriors. The plot is very intricate, but easy to follow, as the tale itself is sorta timeless. There are wonderful female characters in this film too and Michelle Yeowh (sp?) does marvelous acting (remember, this is all judged from subtitles and the power of her body language and eyes!).
The introduction of characters is nice and the pace of the story flows very nice with the exception of a 20+ minute flashback, however it all ties together in the end wonderfully. You won't find many twists or surprises per se, but the storyline is enough to keep you interested and ponder upon.
This is not a fancy kung-fu film. It focuses a lot on emotion and character desire and uses the ninja action to progress the plot.
The DVD itself is quite nice and has lots of basic features. The "Making of" documentary was a bit dissapointing if you are looking for how the special effects are done. Apparently, there is also an English over-dub track for those who don't want to read the subtitles. (I discovered this later, but have no regrets for watching the original manderin version). There are also a few basic interviews and filmographies.
Special features is not a reason to buy this DVD, the beauty of the widescreen cinematography and score is. When the film ended, I just sat there for a few minutes with a nice film to soak in.
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