I'm Paul, pleased to meet you! I came to Ciao a fair time ago now, back in 2000, and I've been popp...
I'm Paul, pleased to meet you! I came to Ciao a fair time ago now, back in 2000, and I've been popping back ever since to add my 2 pence worth. The community here is really strong and it's a friendly place to be.
Member since:28.08.2000
Reviews:139
Members who trust:25
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is, in essence, something of a novelty in Holywood circles, but a refreshing change from all the action car chases and gunfights produced by the standard film makers. The film is an attempt to re-invent the martial arts films of old, while at the same time introducing audiences to the fairy-tale style mythology of China.
The story itself comes from a famous Chinese set of novels and is based on the 3rd book in a series of 4. These books had originally been banned from China for many years and have now become an important part of the Chinese literature.
The story starts as we first meet swordsman and bounty hunter Li Mu Bai (played by Chow Yun-Fat), coming to the conclusion that it’s time to hang up his sword and convince his long term female friend, Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), to settle down with him. Li decides to place his special sword,
the mystical Green Destiny, in the museum of the local lawkeeper, but he soon finds out that someone has stolen it and before you can say ‘kung-fu’ Li and Shu are on the trail of a young girl. Li soon finds out that this girl is an apprentice of Jade Fox, who had killed his mentor while he was training because he would not let her fight. He realises that this apprentice needs to be shown the evil of Jade Fox’s ways and sets about trying to control her directions in the mystical Wudan martial arts. In his encounters with her, he finds that she has learnt the arts very fast and is a danger unless she can be ‘tamed’.
Being based on tbe 3rd book of the series, the film can seem a little disjointed the first time you watch it, although the plot isn’t overly complicated (while still engrossing and way above the average American blockbuster) but the depth of character and breathtaking scenery more than make up for this.
The actors do a fine job of portraying their characters and the viewer will soon empathise with them, pulling them further into the film emotionally than many others of its kind. Indeed, this is far from an average Kung-Fu movie, it bears more of a resemblance to period English drama crossed with folklore and zorro style sword-play, with the odd Bruce Lee style fight scene thrown in for good measure. It’s this mix of styles that sets it apart from anything that has gone before.
What gets to many people, though, is the flying. It’s not so much flying really, as treading air. Think of a Neil Armstrong moon walk and multiply it. The characters soar gracefully into the air while they fight and run across rooftops, jumping over buildings without batting an eyelid. What you need to understand is that this is based on mythology and in learning the Wudan arts, the fighters are gifted with this magical style power.
To compliment the fine visuals, the DVD version of this movie has a simply stunning picture quality. It really is worth getting this version over the video as it shows off the Chinese landscape so well and all the fight scenes are so crisp and clear that you even tend to flinch when the weapons come near the screen.
The sound further compliments this, with a lovely surround mix and the choice of watching the film dubbed or in its orignal language with English subtitles (and believe me, it does make a difference) This film does as much for DVD, picturewise, as the Matrix.
Included in the package is an excellent documentary, where we get an insight into the background to the movie and the amazing fight scenes from director Ang Lee. Many members of the cast are also interviewed, all seeming to portray the feeling that this film was a dream come true for them. Another documentary takes us behind the scenes of the music from the film, which is both haunting and dramatic. Also included are a couple of trailers and a nice photo gallery.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is probably the most breathtaking film I have had the pleasure to watch this year and I recommend this should be in everyone’s DVD collection.
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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: 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
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
I enjoyed this movie immensely as well.....And I didn't think I would!!.....Good op.....Ken
rvb13 06.02.2002 20:24
never knew about the books. cheers. good op. rob.
stevethesleeve 06.02.2002 20:10
I've so nearly bought this DVD and so often shied away at the last second that I've lost count. Thanks to your excellent and very readable review, I'll be more daring next time! Cheers ~ Steve
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![Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543493.jpg "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [DVD] [2001]")
Feb 6th, 2002
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