... Incidentally, although 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' was a complete success in the US and other western countries, it was a complete flop in China. Probably one of the reasons could be because the four main actors all speak four different dialects of Mandarin, which thankfully doesn't ... Read review
In the most-talked about movie of the year, Director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility) ... more
brings together a breathtaking combination of high-flying action (choreographed by Yeun Wo Ping - The Matrix) and stunning visual effects, woven around a story of humour, courage and love. Set in 19th century China, 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon' follows two martial-arts masters Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat - Anna and the King, Replacement Killers) and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh - Tomorrow Never Dies) as they battle against evil forces to regain the stolen Green Destiny sword and defeat long-time foe Jade Fox. To succeed they must overcome an unknown warrior, the supremely skilled Jen (Zhang Ziyi), who is fighting against an arranged marriage. In the process Li is torn between his deep and long-denied feelings for shu, and his wish to tame and teach Jen.
Ang Lee's hugely successful romantic adventure Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has a ... more
high-calibre score by Chinese-American composer Tan Dun worthy of the acclaim which has greeted the film. Dun is reunited with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma--they collaborated on Dun's Symphony 1997--who provides the melodic and melancholy heart of this music with his lovingly crafted solos. Such passages are hauntingly spare, or filled with a lamenting passion which lingers in the memory, the beautiful central love theme being reworked into the rather incongruous pop ballad "A Love Before Time" which ends the disc with versions in both English and Mandarin. While cues such as "Silk Road" echo the mood of The Last Emperor, this score is off-set by some powerfully understated suspense and action writing, refreshingly different from the bombast of a comparable American feature. Chinese drumming is to the fore, with some enthrallingly intricate work from the Shanghai Percussion Ensemble on cues such as "Night Fight", the fully orchestral "A Wedding Interrupted" positively burning with menace. Anyone captivated by this music would do well to investigate John William's equally excellent score for Seven Years in Tibet, to which Yo-Yo Ma's mastery of the cello is also key. --Gary S. Dalkin
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Focuses on the economic and political influence that China has in Africa. This book ... more
provides an historical and geo-political context for understanding the partnership between Africa and China. It also features nine country case studies and assesses China's Africa policy and interests in relation to those of other powers.
Amazing martial arts fighting sequences (choreographed by Yuen wo Ping - The Matrix) ... more
stunning special effects action adventure and romance have made Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon the most talked about movie of the year. Martial arts masters Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) battle against evil forces to recover their stolen sword the legendary Green Destiny. Winner of two Golden Globes four BAFTAs and four Academy Awards Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon tells an epic story that is according to the Evening Standard "a movie every man woman and child on the face of the planet should see".
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Production Year: 1990 - Martial Arts - Director: Jackie Chan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jackie Chan, Carol Cheng, Eva Cobo
Production Year: 2002 - Martial Arts - Director: Yimou Zhang - Original Language: Mandarin - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang
Production Year: 1981 - Martial Arts - Director: Kenji Misumi, Robert Houston - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida, Masahiro Tomikawa, Tomisaburo Wakayama
Advantages: Great story and martial art moves, acting is superb Disadvantages: Actors don't speak in English, but there are translations
If like me, you are thinking of learning some kind of martial art in the near future, than from this film you can get all the inspiration and motivation you need. Reknown for all the Martial Arts fighting in it, Chinese style, this film is the foreign film that cashed in the most money from the US Box Office ever.
The cast in the film is completely Chinese and thereforeI have never heard of any of them before. However from what I ... ...quite well-known in China. Incidentally, although 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' was a complete success in the US and other western countries, it was a complete flop in China. Probably one of the reasons could be because the four main actors all speak four different dialects of Mandarin, which thankfully doesn't really affect Westerners who can see the film translated to English or else with English sub-titles. Personally, I prefer the latter. more
If like me, you are thinking of learning some kind of martial art in the near future, than from this film you can get all the inspiration and motivation you need. Reknown for all the Martial Arts fighting in it, Chinese style, this film is the foreign film that cashed in the most money from the US Box Office ever.
The cast in the film is completely Chinese and thereforeI have never heard of any of them before. However from what I have read on the film, some of the actors are quite well-known in China. Incidentally, although 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' was a complete success in the US and other western countries, it was a complete flop in China. Probably one of the reasons could be because the four main actors all speak four different dialects of Mandarin, which thankfully doesn't really affect Westerners who can see the film translated to English or else with English sub-titles. Personally, I prefer the latter.
What particularly attracted me to the film was Yuen Wo-Ping, no he's not an actor, he's the martial choreographer who among other films, has worked on the 'The Matrix'. I've also heard good things on the director Ang Lee who also directed Hulk (2003) and Sense and Sensilbility (1995). He's worked on a few other films as well.
The story of the film revolves around 'Green Destiny', a sword that is stolen. Wanting to get the sword back, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, both great fighters and both secretly in love with each other try their best to get it back. However things get more complicated when they find out that the thief is their friend and daughter of the Governer, Jen. To add a further twist, the mentor of Jen is Jade Fox, the murderer of Li Mu Bai's Master. Not knowing this Li Mu Bai wants to get Jen to become his disciple. Even though there are many twists, the plot is worked out very well and is beleivable. There is also a touch of humour in the film that makes it even more complete and enjoyable.
Most of the characters in the story are well developed although in my opinion it would have been nice to know a little bit more about the history of Li Mu Bai.
On the other hand, the martial arts in the films are just spectecular and easily the best thing in the whole film. The style of fighting used is Wudan, which as far as I know is like Tai Chi Combat or something like that. The fighting in the film doesn't only take place with hands but a substantial part of it with swords. Li Mu Bai was particularly good at this and his skills are literally breathtaking. He's amazing. My only complaint about the martial arts is that the fighters could do impossible feats such as flying. Now I know these people can jump very high but flying? I don't think so.
The sound effects in the film are very good but what is even better are the visual effects. For example, the high jumping is all very smooth and there are many wonderful landscapes and pictures in the film.
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', has won countless number of internationally acclaimed awards which I think says a lot about the film. The awards won are:
20th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards - Winner - Best Picture - Winner - Best Director (Ang Lee) - Winner - Best Supporting Actress (Cheng Pei-Pei) - Winner - Best Cinematography (Peter Pau) - Winner - Best Action Design (Yuen Woo-Ping) - Winner - Best Original Film Score (Tan Dun) - Winner - Best Song ("Moonlight Lover", performed by Coco Lee) - Winner - Best Sound Effects (Eugene Gearty)
2000 Academy Awards - Winner - Best Foreign Language Film - Winner - Best Cinematography (Peter Pau) - Winner - Best Art Direction (Timmy Yip) - Winner - Best Original Score (Tan Dun)
2000 Golden Globe Awards - Winner - Best Foreign Language Film - Winner - Best Director (Ang Lee)
2000 Golden Horse Awards - Winner - Best Picture
2000 Toronto Film Critics' Award - Winner - Best Picture
2000 Los Angeles Film Critics' Award - Winner - Best Picture
All in all, I think this was a top film, certainly one of the best I have ever seen and is definately a classic. In fact I have already ordered it (as I had rented it only) from play.com for just 9.99. Finally, its also worth mentioning that there should be a sequel to the film (due to the ending which I didn't particularly like) sometime in the future. Personally, I can't wait and I'm certainly going to be one of the first to be seeing it in the cinemas here in Malta.
Other details about the film:
Certificate: 12 years and over (PG) Duration : approx 2 hours
Advantages: An imaginative and interesting story with very good effects Disadvantages: It's a nice film, makes you want to see it again.
...film that earned most money: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
STORY
The story is based in China when a sword that belongs to a master of martial arts is stolen. A touch of romance and a lot of action with a nice ending. The story is properly paced and easy going, absorbing the viewer completely.
VIDEO
Exceptional action across the whole movie. Not too much and not too little, just the right amount. Although some of the scenes are incredible and ... ...back to see what was happening behind me, only to remember that what I was listening too were sound effects. CONCLUSION
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has made it to one of my favourite films. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.
OTHER DETAILS
Cost: £9.99
Duration: Almost 2hours ...
kurun 01.04.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Superbit) (DVD)
Set during the nineteenth century in China, this the tale of Li Mu Bai, a martial arts expert. He entrusts his magic sword called Green Destiny to a wizard named Yu Shu Lien. Whilst in her care the sword is stolen and together they set out to recover it.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Best Music Original Score (Dramatic/Musical/Comedy) 2001 (Tan Dun)
Professional reviews
Review
"...A triumph....CROUCHING TIGER envelops you in its exotic universe..." (Movieline, pp.36-38, 01/12/2000)
"...The picture is more fun than it has a right to be....Mr. Lee puts things together artfully and stages this movie like a comedy of manners; it could be SENSE AND SENSIBILITY with a body count....It's an epic that breaks the laws of gravity." (New York Times, p.E16, 08/12/2000)
"....Always entertaining and exhilarating....CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is most notable for going beyond genre norms..." (Sight and Sound, p.45-6, 01/01/2001)
"...CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON defies pigeon-holing by succeeding as a love story, an action movie and a fantasy....The best acted, best shot and most exciting film of the year..." -- 5 out of 5 stars (Total Film, p.78, 01/02/2001)
"...This Cannes/New York Film Festival favorite has it all, starting with three towering central characters....[Ang Lee's film] offers melodically choreographed action scenes by THE MATRIX's Yuen Wo-Ping, Oscar-caliber photography by Peter Pau and the pleasure of seeing [Chow Yun Fat] in his most appealing performance yet..." -- 4 out of 4 stars (USA Today, p.1E, 08/12/2000)
DVD Description
Known for making films about familial relationships, director Ang Lee surprised everyone with his martial arts epic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Based on a novel by Wang Du Lu, CROUCHING TIGER starts with the revenge plot common in the wuxia stories that Lee loved as a child, then adds a feminist twist. Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) is a legendary martial artist who has decided to pass on his sword, the Green Destiny, to a friend. Soon afterward, the sword is stolen by a masked female, setting in motion events that test the bonds of family, love, duty, and sisterhood. Chow appears with three generations of female stars: Cheng Pei Pei, a 1960s action heroine; Michelle Yeoh, the beauty queen turned 1980s action goddess; and newcomer Zhang Ziyi, who smolders as the princess who wants more than domestic tranquillity. Famed action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping (THE MATRIX) stages jaw-dropping zero-G fights across rooftops, rivers, and bamboo trees, while Yo-Yo Ma punctuates the fisticuffs with dramatic cello solos. Described by Lee as "SENSE AND SENSIBILITY with martial arts," CROUCHING TIGER recalls the best wuxia films of the 1960s and pushes the genre in new directions.
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