Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Rating:
Summary: Crouching Subtitles, Hidden Beauty
Review: It is great to see a subtitled film get so much attention. Hopefully this will serve as a precursor for a broader interest in foreign film as so few theaters are able to take them up for any amount of time. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a great success because it is able to combine so many elements of what make a good film so seamlessly well. It is a perfect mixture of comedy, adventure and romance. The acting, cinematography and directing are stunningly good. The lush landscape is a perfect backdrop for the mythic feel of the story. The fights are excellently choreographed and breathtaking to watch.

The story is simple. There is a legendary sword called the Green Destiny that is stolen. It is subsequently regained and stolen again. A legendary fighter wants to become the mentor of a temperamental but talented upper-class girl who is secretly the student of his archenemy. The story focuses on her misadventures and emotional growth. There are side stories including the revenge of a slain mother and the life-long romance between the legendary fighter and his skilled female friend. Such coming of age stories of female independence have begun to be tedious, but the mixture of comedy in the story line and intense excitement of the action scenes proves this story to be tremendously engaging. The flashback scene to the desert has been criticised for being misplaced in the narrative, but I found it to be simultaneously a great piece of comedy and a heartfelt romantic union. Certainly the scene of Zhang Ziyi slicing the pompous names out of the men in the public drinking house is one of the funniest in film. You may be wondering at first when the action is going to start with all the initial back-story, but once it starts there is no stopping it. The scene of Zhang and Chow fighting amidst the bamboo branches is beautifully done. Whether you are a fan of martial arts or not you will find yourself swept away by the adventure and romance of this tale. It is nothing but a masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: fascinating
Review: i saw this movie in sneak preview. first i thought, oh my god, a chinese movie, than yun-fat appeared together with yeoh and i thought hmm, maybe this movie will be okay. i was more than just okay. it was one of the best movies in 2000. the story is absolute brilliant, the landscape fascinating, the love stories (there are two in the movie) nice and the martial arts scenes unbelieveable. but the best thing in the movie was ziyi zhang. for me, and i thing for most of the viewers too, she was a totally unknown actress. but she played better then yun-fat and yeoh together. i can recommend this movie to everyone. you do not have to be a hongkong fan or a fan of martial-arts movies. this movie is really great and much better then all the hollywood-mainstream-movies.

Rating:
Summary: beautiful, just like an epic poem
Review: when watching u forget that there are actually subtitles to the movie, and when reading, u feel as if u are transported thru this time, the movie was like an epic poem, the language beautiful, and the images mesmerizing. YES, everything u read in the other reviews are all true. there was a sense of tolkienism as well in there, an adventure unravelling. I loved every minute of it, from the beginning of the movie to the end where almost everyone in the theatre had a tear. i don't know what else to say that hasn't beeen said...

Rating:
Summary: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Shining OSCAR
Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is undoubtedly one of the most visually spectacular films that I have seen in a long time. I just thank god that this wonderful masterpiece wasn't dubbed into english like many other foreign films, because that would've been a low blow. The acting is marvelous and the fight scenes are off the wall (pardon the pun). Not always do wild visuals work in movies, but this isn't your regular martial arts film! It's more like a Martial WORK of ART! The performances by the three leads and a co starring performance by an elderly, but dangerous woman make this film a breathtaking thrillride! ... but the only thing in this film that I didn't connect with was the flying aspect. Sometimes the stars jumped a little toooo far for my taste when hopping building to building! But, that doesn't make me deduct any marks, because besides that little pecadilo, I loved it!

Rating:
Summary: pure poetry in motion
Review: This movie is a feast for the eyes, ears, heart and especially the mind. In the true realization of yin and yang, Ang Lee has assembled two contrasting male/female couples which will entice the viewer the entire voyage. Ang Lee has yet to disappoint this viewer (from his foreign "Wedding Banquet" and "Eat Drink Man Woman" to more mainstream "Sense and Sensibility" and the "ice Storm").

Lee has the uncanny ability to transform before our very eyes; his characters' motivation and development. We watch Chow Yun-Fat who has a sort of Obi-wan Kanobi-noble and graceful elder Jedi quality to him, contrasted with Zhang Ziyi- a young Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker synthesis- who must turn away from the dark side of the Force. It is their internal as well as their external (the action fight sequences) struggles which draw you in.

Blockbuster films rely on special effects to generate their action and dramatic narrative. Although there are special effects (the wires used to make the characters almost-fly) in Lee's film, they become secondary. He is able to create a compelling story by weaving the action sequences seemlessly. In a nutshell, this raises the bar for all future filmmakers who want to do something more than another Jackie Chan-blow-em-up movie.

From the opening action sequence, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, you forego the wires and submit to the 'willing suspension of disbelief'. only these enlightened warriors would be able to achieve such a feat, while their unenlightened peers have to settle for the 'normal' karate chops and attacks. Action movies have sold many $$ at the box office/rentals, but the true mark of a good director is not just his story. It's the storytelling of his characters (and in really good directors like Ang Lee--it's in how they change or don't change over the course of a movie). You'll fall in love with Lee, his characters and the pure poetry he sets into motion!

Kudos to Lee getting Tan Dun to do the soundtrack. His rumbling percussion sounds like thunder in places and rhythmically sets off like a firecracker during the action sequences, then pulls back and lets cellist Yo Yo Ma soar in haunting melodies.

Rating:
Summary: A day dream
Review: "Crouching tiger, hidden dragon" is quite simply the most swooning cinematic event I have been given to experience. I was aware of the hype coming in but I was still not prepared for the sheer, irresistible beauty it bestowed the screen. This is a film you have to embrace and let yourself be swept by its magic. This is what films are all about: make you dream and marvel at the way the world is presented to you. And the world of "Crouching tiger..." is a most exhilirating one with characters defying earthbound conventions with enthralling movements that make the expression "poetry in motion" come to life. And never has poetry been so universally spell-binding. But for all its magical, superhuman possibilities, the film is deeply rooted in raw human emotions, so that the "flying" (more like long-stride jumping) becomes a beautiful metaphor for the inner desires of the characters yearning to break out of societal "gravity", to be free to love at will. "It's a state of mind" says Li Mu Bai. I like mine to be bended by dreams of this dazzling proportion. Go see "Crouching tiger..." on the big screen before it is too late!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome with a capital "A"
Review: Ang Lee really outdid himself this time. As did the superb cast and crew (both actors and choreographers alike). Always mindful of his role in developing trend-setting works (The Wedding Banquet, Ice Storm, etc.) Ang Lee strives to create a masterpiece that gradually sinks in, like a perfect three-layer cheesecake. And the result is a concoction unlike any treat (or visual feast for that matter) you've sampled.

Another interesting aspect of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is the smooth incorporation of martial arts into a tightly-knit, engrossing plot. The crux of the movie is a sword, the Green Destiny, an ancient saber wielded by a hero, and the circumstances surrounding its continual theft and return... (even the subtitles cannot detract from this film's wry humor). With the invaluable sword as the bone of contention, Love, Honor, and Sacrifice are all prominent figures in this struggle, and it is indeed a beautifully epic story.

Chow Yun-Fat as the Hero Li Mu Bai has never performed with more zest or passion. Engaging the talents of many many gifted performers, this movie crackles with wit and energy. Chow's supreme mastery of martial arts is not to be understated. Relative newcomer Zhang Ziyi marks the unusual but fresh perspective never-before-seen in a Hong-Kong-style action flick: a female's. Established actress (and accomplished stuntwoman, whose credits include Supercop with Jackie Chan and a superspy in a Bond flick Tomorrow Never Dies) Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien is the perfect foil for the feisty Jen Yu (Zhang), and their relationship is a key focus of the movie. Cheng Pei Pei's performance as Jade Fox is not as heralded as the stars' but essential nonetheless to the thickening of the plot and the wizardry of the action sequences. The connections between the characters is among the most redeeming qualities of this movie. Each scene forwards the plot and keeps the steady momentum going... and makes for great storytelling. The fine acting is one of the most noticable parts of this outstanding movie, and the script is commendable as well.

Action- the amount of unbelievable sights and stunts must be seen to be appreciated. Normally, in an action/martial arts film, romance is usually of the sexy-brash variety, not here. Chang Cheng's turn as the leader of a rebel tribe is noteworthy, in that he is seen both in positive and negative lights. Love is a subject constantly broached in this movie- in fact, even a marriage is filmed. Love is what really drives this movie, and there is almost a tenderness to it that contrasts the bitter fighting throughout the movie. The fighting is magnificent, and the excellent choreography by Yuen Wo-Ping (choreographer of The Matrix) is truly a sight to behold. If you're not a fan of chop-socky action, this fantastic twist on martial arts may change your mind.

Adventure is the middle name of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon- as the title suggests, there is always the unknown and the dangerous, but there is also familiarity and beauty. The China this movie portrays is, as Ang Lee himself says, "never existed," but it is a dream captured on celluloid, and a great achievement. You may still be skeptical. You may not read fast enough for the subtitles. You may even be afraid that it won't be worth the 7 or 8 bucks you shell out or the time it may claim- but I guarantee you, if you have a pulse, if you have an imagination, and if you have a brain, don't pass up one of the best movies of the year~ check out Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon today. You just might end up wishing you had the Green Destiny as well.

The reason I bestowed a 5 stars on this particular movie is it's utter breathtaking vision. The directing, acting, martial arts scenes, cinematography, music, and even the elaborate and richly decorated sets are reason enough. Combined, the true grandeur of this movie shines through, and it is a classic, among the best of its genre, and a tremendous achievement.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, is, in a word, Awesome.

Rating:
Summary: A combination of drama and action unequaled
Review: If there's one image that defines Ang Lee's masterpiece of a martial arts film, it's that of the solitary Chow Yun-Fat standing on a slender branch in the treetops as it sways gracefully back and forth. Slowly bobbing around the frame, he has a Mona Lisa smile that might as well say "You know this is the coolest thing you have ever seen in your life."

'Crouching Tiger' is a film unlike any other. John Woo tries to meld emotion and action in a similar way (maybe most notably in 'Killer') but never has he brought the kind of grandiose drama to the screen that you will see here. The choreography is stunning, the acting first rate, the drama heart-wrenchingly real.

Chow Yun-Fat plays Li Mu Bai, a Wudan warrior who's decided to lay down his sword. Giving the ancient weapon called the Green Destiny to a friend, it's almost immediately stolen and he's forced on one last mission to recover it from the Jade Fox, a self trained Wudan who murdered his master. This may sound straight forward enough, but the problem is that he really wants to settle down with a fellow warrior Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) for a life of peace. Shu Lien is having the same feelings of ambiguity about her life of combat, heightened by the arrival of the young Jen (Ziyi Zhang) who doesn't want to go through with her upcoming marriage. She'd much rather live the warrior's life that her new friend Shu Lien embodies.

I can't say much more without giving away the intricate plot, but suffice it to say that both Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien develop a complex love-hate relationship with the thief that comes to great depths and inspires some astonishingly emotional scenes. Not to mention the continuing frustration between the two warriors at their inability to admit their feelings for each other.

The other side of this coin is the action and it's simply astounding. The fight scenes in Crouching Tiger are mostly performed with wires that allow them to nearly take flight, walk on water, run along walls and up trees, and all with a grace and realism the like of which has never been seen on film. I heard an interview with Michelle Yeoh who said that this wire work was definitely the hardest thing to accomplish - to make it look realistic, as if the character is jumping and not just being pulled. In all but a couple of scenes, the illusion is flawless and the camera compliments it wonderfully. Credit Yuen Woo-Ping, choreographer and martial arts instructor for such films as 'Drunken Master' and 'The Matrix'. He's reached an entirely new plateau with 'Crouching Tiger.' Alongside the wire work, the more standard fight scenes are accomplished with such unabashed skill (especially from Ziyi Zhang) and sometimes a hint of comedy, that they never wear out their welcome - even for those of us who aren't martial arts fans.

Sure to get Oscar nominations and already on most critics '10 Best' lists (including mine), 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is simply a film not be missed. And don't be put off by the action scenes that dominate the trailers. While being a groundbreaking action film, it's also a gripping and emotional drama. What else could you ask for?

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional masterpiece
Review: For those of us who were brought up in South East Asian countries, watching martial arts movies & mini series were daily occurrences. Now, living permanently in a Western country, I tended to feel nostalgic about those good old days. When I saw the poster of this movie in a local cinema weeks ago, my heart missed a beat, & watching this movie was my resolution for Boxing Day. The movie didn't disappoint with a great storyline, good production team & a great cast. This movie superseded all those martial arts classics by far with its breath taking scenes (both real & computer graphics illustrations of the historic Beijing, & Xinjiang). Furthermore, the Director provided the characters with depths, & the display of martial arts is almost as good as what Jet Li did to the movie, the "Shaolin Temple" almost 20 years ago. Throughout the whole movie, I hang on to every words & mesmerised by every scenes. It was such a marvellous movie & definitely worth waiting for. High recommended. The title of the movie, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is actually a Chinese proverb. To put it simply, it meant things are not what they seem to be from the outset. This movie was about a seasoned & honourable swordsman from WuTang (depicted brilliantly by Chow Yuen Fatt) who decided to give away his precious sword to his friend. Chow Yuen Fatt's character was almost to the point of enlightenment in his pursuance of his swordsmanship but there's this thing that held him back. This thing came in the form of his female friend & fellow associate of Wutang, played magnificently by Michelle Yeoh. Chow & Yeoh's characters have been in luv for many years but due to lack of courage of Chow's part & due to Yeoh's understanding of a woman's position during that time (she couldn't forsake her engagement with Chow's brother in oath who had since deceased during a fight), the luv wasn't realised. Chow believed that by giving up his prized sword & by not pursuing his swordsmanship any further, he could lead the life of an ordinary person realising what he meant to do years ago, to be with Yeoh. When Yeoh's character delivered the sword to Chow's friend (she happened to own a security company of that time), she bumped into the daughter of a local Governor (played by Zhang ZiYi). She was about to be married to another high official's son soon enough. Yeoh & her became friends soon after. During that time, Yeoh explained to the Governor's daughter why Chow's sword was highly sought after. On that faithful nite, the sword was stolen. Naturally, Yeoh put her suspicion upon the Governor's daughter. But on that nite too, an undercover cop discovered that a wanted criminal by the name of Flying Fox was also there on the scene of the crime. The last time the cop saw her was at the edge of the Governor's house. So, would the burglar be the Flying Fox or the Governor's daughter, & why should the Governor's daughter had such high capability in martial arts when her upbringing was supposed to be embroidery & calligraphy, was there a correlation between her & the Flying Fox, etc. Viewers also had to see for themselves how Chow, Yeoh, Governor's daughter's lives all interwined with one another. Who and what is the 4th main character in the movie & would there be a everybody lived happily ever after ending or else? My only request is that there would be a sequel should it be appropriate.

Rating:
Summary: Mesmeric martial arts epic
Review: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is, without any equivocation, a dazzling martial arts picture which has somewhat revived a moribund genre. Kung fu films have, in general, undergone some considerable decline in recent years, with the exception of Hong Kong superstar Jet Li attempting to breath life into the stagnating line of formula-plotted bone-breaking fests. Credit must also go to Ang Lee for electing to do add a slightly innovative and unconventional touch to the genre. The cheesy dubbed dialogue (which translates poorly and hilariously) is jettisoned in favour of the original Chinese language subtitled into English, thus preserving the film's main saving grace, its culture. While mainstream kung fu afficionoados have grown weary of production-line plotlines generally involving the hero's lost mother/brother/pet goldfish, "Crouching Tiger..." eschews all of these stereotypes and sets about creating a truly authentic atmosphere. Lee's directorial style, incorporating balletic action sequences, high-octane martial arts feats is a marvel, and every minute detail is captured with a lovingness that most directors simply lack. The fight sequences are stunningly choreographed and the "flying" episodes appear intriguing. While Chow Yun Fat and Zhang Ziyi's treetop battle has been, in my opinion, much overrated, an even more absorbing martial arts encounter was that between Michelle Yeoh's Shu Lien and Ziyi's Jen. Both instances, both in the courtyard and the dojo are, quite unreservedly, the greatest martial arts displays ever captured on celluloid. Wo Ping's sequencing and choreography of the fight scenes is nonpareil, excelling even the work of the late, great Bruce Lee. The film is one of the best films ever made, devoted kung fu fans are strongly recommended to see it. Production standards (e.g. art direction, set design, costumes and cinematography) are all of the higest order.