Why have so many people been blinded by the stupidity of this film? Every critic and his dog are coming out of the cinema raving about this film when that's exactly what it is, raving mad! OK, sure, the fight scenes are fast and inventive, but they are so unbelievable as to be ridiculous! I mean, when the characters are actually fighting on the ground the scenes are watchable, but when they start running up walls, walking on water, flying through forests and fighting while balanced on top of a tree, I was finding it hard not to bend over behind the seat in front of me and let rip a massive laugh. A number of times I actually laughed out loud, to the annoyance of my fellow cinemagoers and I left quickly at the end to avoid being chastised by 200 angry film patrons. People have made comparisons between this film and the Matrix, and I agree that both are similar in that they have unrealistic fight scenes. However, the Matrix was kind enough to offer an explanation as to why the characters could punch through walls and break floors with their knees, but Crouching Tiger just expects us to believe that these simple Chinese noblemen from the 16th century or so can fly and perform biblical-like miracles!
There are some good points about the film such as the very good acting and a sort-of-interesting plot.
Before I went to the film I did not think that it being a subtitled film would be much of a problem. However, when I got to my seat and it transpired I was sitting behind Marge Simpson, I was not pleased!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
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: 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: 1985 - Martial Arts - Director: Cory Yuen - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kurt McKinney, J.W. Fails, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kathie Sileno, Peter 'Sugarfoot' Cunningham
Always good to hear someone with a different opinion of a film, although if you'd been in the cinema when I was watching a movie laughing outloud in the wrong places, I think I might have been one of those angry patrons...
gideon 07.02.2001 18:23
I have been watching martial arts movies for years, and kinda of agree with you. The plot is unoriginal and the storyline seems to jump. Watch zu warriors for true fantasy fighting.
Wing 07.02.2001 11:46
This is the second time I'm starting to write this comment as the first time I wrote it, it got deleted as it was too long. Which made me calm down for a while, realising that I was probably being a bit irrational, so I will streamline what I had to say to the major points. 1) I know you do try to be atleast fair when you mention that there are good points to this movie which is why when I say I am not trying to be rude or offensive, I do mean it 2) 2 out of the 4 " noblemen" you say, are not noblemen at all. They aer disciples of Wu Dan, which is a historical clan of mostly men who base their lives around the whole thing. It includes martial arts, meditation and philosophy something alike to Tao-ism. So when they fly, they aren't really flying, as if they had wings, it's more mind over matter
3) The film isn't all about martial arts, most of it is actually a love story. Without emotions, you can't achieve fighting, so there's a huge duality that you dont mention
4) A lot of people and critics ( not you ) mention that this movie is like The Matrix. Well, it is The Matrix that is like this movie. It seems almost typical of ignorant critics to conclude that their rendition of what is basically traditional Chinese martial arts is the be all and end all of it.
5) If you watch more traditional Chinese films, you'll see where the heritage of this movie comes from. Chinese martial arts, despite what most audiences think, is not all about Bruce Lee and Jacky Chan. Not even close.
6) and finally, I think it's great that Crouching Tiger was screened in this country in Mandarin with subtitles. It's time people realised that not everything is going to be adapted into English for their benefit. Why not learn Mandarin for once?
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...
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...
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
Advantages: Martial arts beauty without blood, Acting Disadvantages: If you don't like Non English Language films, be aware that this one is subtitled. A dull mid section of the film
![Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543493.jpg "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]")
Feb 7th, 2001
very helpful by (7%):
helpful by (57%):
somewhat helpful by (14%):
not helpful by (21%):
