This is quite simply the best film you will see this year.
Forget Jackie Chan's comedic stylings - the martial arts on display in this film are spectacular. Choreographed by the same guy who won acclaim with the Matrix (Yuen Woo-Ping), the action scenes are utterly absorbing without feeling drawn out (as sadly happens all too often). John Woo, eat your heart out!
As for the romantic element of Crouching Tiger, superb performances from Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat ensure that you will be emotionally moved without the film descending into overdone schmaltz.
For such an epic adventure, there is a surprising level of humour constantly bubbling beneath the surface of this movie. Whether it be an axe in the head (trust me!) or a witty thrust and riposte, the subtle interplay between the characters is phenomenal.
If you are put off by the thought of watching a subtitled movie, don’t be. Within minutes of the opening I had forgotten all about this – if anything, the extra attention you have to pay enriches the cinematic experience.
The score skilfully blended into the film, adding to the already keen sense of atmosphere. While not the kind of soundtrack to buy as a stand-alone, in the context of the film it works a treat.
As if all that wasn’t enough, prepare yourself for quite possibly the longest flash-back in cinematic history.
This is not a perfect movie: Zhang Zi-Yi’s performance (as an Aristocrat’s blossoming daughter) is somewhat bombastic and there are definite Jedi overtones to some scenes; yet it would be misleading for me to end this review with what were, after all, quite minor gripes.
Crouching Tiger... has something for everyone, without being a bitty film; this is due to the superlative direction, courtesy of Ang Lee. It is not difficult to imagine all the same elements being combined to give a horrendous movie. Lee, employing his trademark acute, meticulous, observational style, weaves together all these separate threads to create a masterpiece. This is a film that can be appreciated on many levels: whether as an insight into Buddhism, a period piece or just a darn fine evening’s entertainment.
Do not wait for this film to come out on video – go to the cinema now and prepare to be awe-struck.
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Production Year: 2003 - Martial Arts - Director: Paul Hunter - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Seann William Scott, James King, Karel Roden
Production Year: 1972 - Martial Arts - Director: Bruce Lee - Original Language: English\Cantonese\Chinese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris, Robert Wall, Jon T. Benn
Production Year: 1991 - Martial Arts - Director: Tsui Hark - Original Language: Cantonese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Donnie Yen, Jet Lee, Rosamund Kwan, Yuen Biao, Mok Sui Chung
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
Martial Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Sho Kosugi, James Ryan, Jim Kelly, Jimmy Wang Yu, Bolo Yeung, Christopher Lee
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragonis so many things: an historical epic on a grand scale, an ... more
Asian martial-arts flick with both great effectsandfantastic fighting (choreographed byThe Matrix's guru Yuen Wo Ping), a story of magic, revenge and power played w...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragonis so many things: an historical epic on a grand scale, an ... more
Asian martial-arts flick with both great effectsandfantastic fighting (choreographed byThe Matrix's guru Yuen Wo Ping), a story of magic, revenge and power played w...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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 B...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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 humo...
Advantages: Epic Chinese mythical tale, amazing escapeism and Unique romance element. Disadvantages: Must be able to suspend belief, and accept the unacceptable.
Advantages: Great fight scenes, pretty well written and directed, story rich in substance, breaking into the western market Disadvantages: subtitled, nothing new, too dramatic and poetic if you're not into the sort of thing, the storyline can be confusing - so watch carefully!
![Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543493.jpg "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]")
Jan 29th, 2001
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