Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is simply the best foreign language film ever made. For a foreign film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, something special has to have happened. It did. Ang Lee has created a masterpiece by manipulating the presentation of martial arts, so often presented as gritty hard-hitting action, into a free-flowing art form. Previous to this film, the only Ang Lee I had seen was Ride With The Devil, but this film made that look pathetic.
A sword, famous throughout 19th century China, called the Green Destiny belongs to a legendary warrior, name of Li Mu Bai, ( Chow Yun Fat). However, Mu Bai has become disillusioned with the warrior lifestyle, and gives it to a powerful governor. Mu Bai’s friend and love interest,Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) takes it for him. However, a brilliant young student of Jade Fox, Mu Bai’s arch-enemy, steals the sword. Her name is Jen (Zhang Ziyi) and the story revolves around her as she flees from her arranged wedding with Lien and Mu Bai in pursuit. She makes her own voyage of discovery, with flash backs to her youth and eventual realisation of the evil of her master. The main plot is accompanied by many side-plots. Mu Bai and Lien are reluctant to admit their feelings for each other until Mu Bai is near death. Jade Fox is pursued by investigators for her past crimes, and Jen is reunited with a love from her youth.
The scenery is beautiful and widely varied, going from the hustle of 19th century Chinese city life to lush green forests to desolate and haunting desert. With so many different angles, the movie is ever changing, and you are not able to settle on one line of plot before being whisked off to another.
The plot is very spiritual, and a lot revolves around the monk-like order of Wudan, where Mu Bai was trained. The spiritual aspect is refreshing for a western, albeit a western which very different scenery. The issues surrounding the spirituality of a Wudan warrior – truth, honour, enlightenment – are presented in a refreshing way that allows for the fighting to rid itself of a superficial air.
Onto to the array of extras that accompany this film. The usual features are in this DVD, interviews with some of the stars, a ‘ Making Of’ documentary, trailers and language choice. Nothing really special here, but no lack of items to watch.
The special effects are what you would expect coming from Yuen Wo Ping, who gave us the wonders of The Matrix. Prepare to be dazzled as Mu Bai, Lien and Jen somehow manage to cover rooftops in a single stride, run up walls, balance on branches, and walk on water.
In conclusion, this film is truly amazing. With brilliant acting, stunts, scenery and music, you will be entranced by this film. Buy it now. In the off-chance you don’t like it, I would have to say ‘What is wrong with you?’.
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 always wanted to be able to run up walls like they do in this film!
drusilla 10.10.2001 17:34
Is there anyone who doesn't dig this movie?! Mind you, after reading this I'm definitely gonna have to rent it. Very well witten and informative. Thanks ~ Dru
Defiler 10.10.2001 17:25
Sorry for the rating, it's a great opinion but it just doesn't contain much information on the DVD itself and would be better in the normal film section.
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: Fantastically acted, brilliantly choreographed and directed. Believable and moving romance Disadvantages: The flying scenes are perhaps overdone losing any realistic feel
![Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543493.jpg "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]")
Oct 10th, 2001
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