2000's best film was not made in America

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2001)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a visually stunning, overwhelmingly powerful achievement that dwarfs any other film made in the year of 2000. Its combination of dazzling fight scenes and early-Hollywood style romance eclipses anything else this year. This is a film of epic proportions, without the oppressive running time of your usual epic film (this clocks in only at 2 hours and 8 minutes). The performances of the film's lead actors are so heartfelt that subtitles aren't even necessary -- the characters' thoughts and feelings are evident on their faces. And the fight scenes are a brilliant display of pyrotechnic imagery like no other film previously. Maybe Ang Lee will finally get the recognition he deserves come Oscar time.