Rating: 
Summary: Romantic Action Flick
Review: If those words can possibly coexist, than this movie is perhaps a rare example of proof that it can be done well. CTHD is a beautiful, epic film that takes its time in reaching each different climax within the film.This is a rare film in which I can actually understand why 'the critics' felt it was an iportant film. The only thing that I felt held the movie back was the atypical 'Hollywood' ending ... a reason to both love and dislike the movie at the same time. A DVD worth having in the collection, no question.
Rating: 
Summary: Should have a warning label
Review: I agree whole-heartedly with the reviews found below. The film is beautiful, artistic, dramatic -- and in Chinese. Entirely in Chinese. It is the end of a long, difficult week at the office. You are looking forward to a nice relaxing evening at the movies with your wife. After paying [for] tickets, you get the nasty realization that you'll be reading subtitles for the next 3 hours. In fact, the only thing about this movie that has been translated is its title and that, alone, is deceptive. The marketers could have at least left the title in Chinese so that potential movie-goers would have been put on notice as to what they were getting. Or, they could have included some dialogue (with subtitles) in the trailer. Other than the language issue, I would give this movie five stars. But I think it is fair to deduct a star for each hour it made me deal with subtitles.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as expected
Review: The story was very simple, the scenery was nice and the costumes were ugly. This movie was just about incessant fighting and battling for this sword and a comb. Boring. So many Hong Kong movies could do better than this.
Rating: 
Summary: The editor stayed home
Review: ... Or rather, the excutive directors made a hash of it. I recall when watching "Henry V" in a theatre that the projectionist "fell asleep" and failed to setup the reels causing the the movie to come to halt right in the middle of the battle of Agincourt. CTHD has transitions just as bad, the worse being after the romantic scene where ShuLien and MuBai are re-connecting; there just isn't enough "linger". The bamboo forest scene also seems rather hurried through, in contrast to Kurosawas reed survival scene in "Dersu Uzala"; you never get to feel the bamboo. As far as marial arts and chinese culture, this film might be crisp, but is no less entertaining than, let's say, "Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin", a vintage Jackie Chan (acted, not directed) movie.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Watch This Movie
Review: Americans want to see movies that are realistic, and this is the opposite of Chinese movies. Chinese movies are about a fantasty, magical world where anything can happen and this does not appeal to the average American movie audience. If you are not used to the tradition of Chinese movies, PLEASE don't see this movie!!!! Not only will you hate watching the characters fly around because it seems too unreal, you will hate having to read the subtitles. I suggest this movie for those who are familiar with the tradition of Chinese movies and have an appreciation for it. If this is going to be your first time watching a Chinese movie, skip it! Those that did not enjoy this movie tend to be first time viewers of a Chinese movie, and tend to the be typical American who hate subtitles and probably does not know anything about Asian culture. Personally, I thought it was a beautifully made movie, although not the first great Chinese movie (there are awesome ones that do not receive recognition from America). The soundtrack was really great, the music moved me. The acting was top notch, the cinematography was beautiful. I also thought the story line was great. Takes a mature audience and an open mind, even an appreciation for Asian culture to appreciate this movie. I saw lots of older Caucasians in the theater who seemed to enjoy the movie while the younger teenage Caucasians walked out halfway through. Keep an open mind American viewers.
Rating: 
Summary: Wo ai ni!
Review: Most of the people who do not like this movie are people that no little or nothing about Chinese culture. Let me clear up some things. This is took place in Ancient China. In Ancient China, women were supposed to be submissive, docile creatures. Men were dominant. Yes, I am a woman and I am a feminist. But this was before women got any real rights. Titanic was unrealistic for Rose's very progressive 90s behavior. This is a myth, for Christ's sake!!! Like Greek Mythology. When Hercules was made into a movie, I heard no one complaining that people can't really lift 5,000-ton boulders. So people can fly, big deal. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was based on a Chinese novel and therefore it is fiction. This is not the Matrix, Gladiator, Pearl Harbor, or Titanic. This was an era of honor. I think a good majority of people do not know that a Chinese or Japanese person would rather die than dishonor their family. People were waaaaaay conservative. Honor was more important than your life. Etiquette and manners was very important and was always observed, even in combat. This is not the story of a computer nerd, general turned slave, show off pilot, or a ship sinking. A lot of people complain about the sad ending. Here's some news for you buddy. Most old novels have sad endings. Remember the Hunchback of Notre Dame back in 96 and how it ended? That is not how it ended in the original novel. In the book, Esmeralda was hanged, Quasimodo pushed Frollo off of Notre Dame, and then he committed suicide. One thing that ticks me off is that Titanic and Gladiator were VERY historically inaccurate, and nobody really seemed to care. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was remarkably historically accurate. The characters came alive for me, and I believed I really was back in Ancient China. In Titanic and Gladiator I shrieked every five seconds, "That's wrong!" Like in Gladiator, Rome was NOT founded as a republic; it was founded as a monarchy. : P The Chinese language is good not bad. What really irks me in some historical films is that the speak English not Italian or whatever. In CTHD, they spoke Chinese, which made the movie even more believable. We need more touching films like this. BTW, Wo Ai Ni is Chinese for I Love You, ;)
Rating:
Summary: Oh Bah to All of You
Review: Anyone that says this movie is boring is not a very deep person. I rather watch a moving movie than some weak action movie where the plot is kill, kill, kill. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was, IMHO moving, romantic, and heartbreaking. Keep in mind, that the days of Ancient China were conservative. People were different than we are now.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and Absolutely Amazing work of art
Review: I am not a big fan of foreign films. I skipped seeing this movie in the theatre...one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. The effects in this movie are just mind-boggling. Chow Yun-Fat gives an excellent performance, not to mention the rest of the cast. The movie is a bit complex, you'll definitely have to see it more than once to understand everything. The movie does not revolve around Yun-Fat's character, yet he is a very important character in the story. As a member of the Hudan, he is one of the greatest warriors in the world. When he decides that his enigmatic sword, the Green Destiny, has seen enough blood, he charges an old friend with delivering it to a care-taker. However, when the sword is stolen, and the evidence points to an old enemy whom Yun-Fat had sought for many years, he must return for one final battle. This is just one sub-plot of the entire movie. Describing it does no justice...this movie MUST be seen to be appreciated. A martial arts epic, a love story, a lesson of morality and the deceny of the human spirit...you'll find it all here, brilliantly brought to life through superb acting and amazing special effects. Some may find the super-human abilities a bit unbeleivable and Matrix-like(considering that the same coordinator from the Matrix was involved, this should come as no surprise), but it simply adds to the unique and flawless perspective of this film. The movie cannot be fully appreciated if you watch it dubbed...hearing Yun-Fat speak in his native tounge simply adds to the film, not to mention dubbing is not a particularly enjoyable feature. If you can keep up with the subtitles, which move fast at times, you will enjoy the movie alot more. Amazing effects, a great story and superb acting make this one of the best films to ever come from Asia. Well deserving of its Academy Awards, this is yet another epic that cannot be missed!
Rating:
Summary: Could be better
Review: Two stars. Don't be too harsh. If you watched halfway into the movie and didn't leave, it deserves 50 out of 100 points or 2 and a half stars. The movie is not worth $10 US dollars. It should be worth $3. I give one star for scenery. A second star for the final fight scene between the ladies. A half star for the funny scene (yes there were two) when all the injured fighters complaint to the two protagonist regarding the young lady dragon. The 2nd funny scene: the ladies were fighting at the end, and the older lady chose a monk's stick and dropped it because it was too heavy for her to swing it. There were many problems with this movie. Some of which other critics here mentioned. 1. Wires were obviously used in special effects, and 90% of the "flying" and "running" were not good. I have seen better. 2. Unsettled relationship between the daughter of the murdered policeman and the guard, and the protagonists. 3. Suicide at end needs explanation. The girl just jumped. No explanation. 4. The young dragon was in love with Yun-Fat Chow(protagonist), was that obvious to everyone? 5. Missing conflict between lady dragon and tiger (the old lady who died at the end) 6. The scene at the top of the tree was not good. Yun-Fat Chow is testing the leg strength of young lady dragon. But it looks like he has trouble himself balancing on the tree. Is it leaning against something for support? 7. In the fight scene between the ladies at the end, a thick bar was able to withstand the sword's strength for a while, but finally cut in half like all the other weapons. There was no explanation as to what that was made of. That traditional weapon, if any still exist, should be made of gold. A type called purple gold.
Rating:
Summary: Overrated incredulous movie
Review: Sorry folks. This movie was mediocre. Want a great action movie, try T2 or the original Die Hard. Incredulous fighting (flying?) scenes, depressing ending. Not sure I'd watch this on a Saturday afternoon on channel 5. The martial arts were pretty good though.
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