As I grew up in Wales learning reading fantasy books and also enjoying martial arts movies I became engrossed with a serried called Monkey that involved fantastical fight scenes. Although this series was a little ‘campy’ it was fun and good to watch.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has much in common with similar fight scenes and a similar mystical theme.
<The Plot>
Two women who are both excellent marital artists see their fates intertwine during the Ching Dynasty in a story that resolves around a mystical sword. One is an aristocrat who follows an evil path with her mentor, giving up her privileges to enjoy a life of crime and passion. The other, after following her honour and codes throughout her life discovers the consequences of this as her unfulfilled love cannot be quenched.
When a mystical sword is stolen, we see a turn of events unfold that ultimately pitches the two women together in a tumultuous fight. The showdown
will eventually lead to a surprising choice for each of the women as the violence reaches a crescendo.
The aristocrat, whose life includes being kidnapped as a youngster which ends in a passionate self discovery for the woman, flirts with good and evil as she searches out the adventure she craves. The other, controls her emotions to avoid an embrace that would destroy her love; she discovers that this unfilled love should have been consummated too late.
Although the plot is very convoluted there really isn’t much of a plot. It has been portrayed as a ‘Sense and Sensibility’ with martial arts and although there is a thread of romance throughout the movie and much intrigue and suspense, the movie leaves you wanting more; perhaps because the ‘heroic’ characters are just introduced as heroes and we do not see any of their earlier exploits, or perhaps because it isn’t really explained why the young lady rebels against her aristocracy.
<The Movie>
The action sequences are well choreographed, but for me were a little unbelievable. Although I understand that some martial arts experts are graceful and can look like they are flying, this is only an illusion. The amount of flying in this movie, while making the fight scenes more impressive, made the move a little too unbelievable. Additionally, in the scenes at the end in the forest, if you look really carefully you can see the wires used in the stunt.
The cinematography is excellent, and worthy of nominations for an academy award. This gave the movie a great atmosphere, although I found at times that the movie seemed a little dark. The music also added an element to the movie, making it exciting.
<The Acting>
Chow Yun Fat in his first martial arts movie plays an accomplished role similar to the old ‘Kung Fu’ masters. He is wise as well as graceful as his performance adds a little class to the movie.
Michelle Yeoh is also very accomplished adding an emotion and beauty not normally evident in movies of this type.
Zhang Zi Yi was also very good bringing an intensity and vigour to the role that was unusual. I was surprised that there was very little information on the DVD about her.
<DVD Extras> Bravo Special – an excellent behind the scenes look at the making of the movie with some excellent interviews with the director (Ang Lee) and the cast (strangely no interview with Zhang Zi Yi). For me this was better than the movie as it showed how some of the fighting scenes were done and tried to explain the philosophy behind the movie.
Photo Collage – some excellent pictures taken during production of the movie.
Actor Info – details of the careers of the director and main actors (not Zhang Zi Yi) careers.
Interview with Michelle Yeoh – an interesting and in depth interview with the beautiful actress.
Sound and subtitles – many options including Dolby and surround sound, subtitles in many languages. My favorite being the ability to have the movie dubbed in English – unlike many Martial Arts movies the dubbing is excellent.
<Conclusion>
I do not feel that this movie merits the acclaim it got because the plot was a little weak for me. It was an exciting movie at times but I must admit to being lost in the plot once or twice. Perhaps a second play of the movie will help? If you like action movies then I am sure you will like this.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
I agree with you to a certain extent but i was not completely dissapointed as it was quite entertaining but otherwise i agree with you and beleive it lacked the ability to be a box office smash. Great op. Happytan
miggle 30.07.2001 14:37
don't think the flying was supposed to be realistic but more of a supernatural nature?... -but i know what you mean. The matix plot had a much better excuse for people being able to do ridiculous flying kicks etc... but in all i enjoyed it...
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...
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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 Dragon [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543493.jpg "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]")
Jul 30th, 2001
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