Make ROOM on the bandwagon... I WANT TO CLIMB ONBOARD

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2001)

Tsk, tsk, I had rated "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" a 9.0 after seeing it the first time some weeks ago. Ashamedly, I have to declare that I'd made a terrible mistake. Let me explain. Last night, I went back and saw it a second time, and unabashedly I have to agree with most of you folks out there, who have the remarkable conviction to recognize this film as a cinematic masterpiece..... before I do.
My anticipated second viewing of this movie is nothing short of spectacular since knowing the story, I intend to dispense with the annoyance of reading subtitles and allowed my concentration to focus exquisitely on the superb craftmanship of director Ang Lee, of cinematographer Peter Pau, of action choreographer Yuen, of composer Tan Dun, of musician Yo-Yo Ma, of actors Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi et al. To me, this is a fabulous ensemble of professionals who have individually poured their collective hearts and souls into this mere $15 million project and burnished it into a shining celluloid gemstone.
Strangely enough, a funny thing happened on my way to the cinema. Notwithstanding the fantastic visuals, it was the storyline again that I was lost in enchantment a second time. How so ? Well, before setting out for the theatre, I took the time to read all the comments on this board to get a handle on how to approach this second viewing. Many of my fellow moviegoers, have eloquently paid tribute to this movie and reading their favorable comments had greatly impressed me. (Others are not fit to mention; scat subjective pieces written solely to antagonize, by those who just don't get IT !) Like a connoisseur who had been freshly instructed on how to properly de-shell an Atlantic lobster in order to exquisitely enjoy its delicious succulent meat, ( pity, the poor boors who detest seafood ) I returned to watch "Crouching Tiger", fully prepared to savor the sublime a second time round. Armed with the prescience afforded me by some of the well-written comments posted here by some passionate reviewers, I was ready to synthesize the multiple stories that unfold within Ang Lee's masterpiece. What a revelation! Like an intricate puzzle, the final piece falls into place perfectly and it all makes sense. I bet that 90% of us who saw the movie could not grasp the significance of the film's coda. Ang Lee, still constrained by sense and sensibility, leaves only subtle clues to this somewhat unwholesome ( to some of us, anyway ) yet tantalizing plotline which explains the final moment of the film. Let me leave a few clues to what I am referring to: ( Warning to those who sadly haven't seen the film yet: Spoilers ahead)
If you are going to a second viewing of CTHD, take time to:-
a) Relish the sexual tension between two of the the protagonists when they first met. And I don't mean, in the desert!
b) Notice their eyes glazed over and became limpid when they stared at each other over their crossed swords. Can anybody spell R-E-X complex ?
c) Think over why she dispatched her handsome brigand lover; after all he travelled great distance to come to her. And inspite of the red hot passion that had earlier transpired between them, why did she turned cold ? Really puts the flashback into perspective, eh? She could have so easily followed him back into the desert to evade the marriage, but she felt so utterly confused and guilty. Having been smitten in a 5-minute encounter, she chose to punish herself for harboring irrational and wildly desirous feelings for a total stranger that she subjected herself into going ahead with the loveless marriage. Is this a way to curb her unheathly desire and put an end to it ? Is this an act of atonement for forsaking Lo after her runaway feelings for someone else ? Isn't irrational love at first sight and irrepressible desire for someone you meet for the first time, a rhetorical crouching tiger, hidden dragon ?
d) Consider the overladen implication of Li's offer to Jen to have her follow him to Wudan Mountain as his disciple ? This is indeed a proposition fraught with dangerous precedence and implications.
For Li Mu Bai: This is my chance to break this wrongful discriminating Wudan tradition of not imparting martial art skills to women. This injustice had banefully brought us to this sorrowful Jade Fox treacherous episode. Also, I need to turn Jen away from the Dark Side and show her the Way (Tao)of the Giang Hu. Lately, my meditation has not gone well ( he confided to ShuLien but not in so many words ) because I am in conflict with myself. I am determined to give away Green Destiny and not pursue this rather dubious revenge ( after all, Jade Fox is as much a victim) and yet it pains me because I am bound by honor and tradition to exact it. I thought I can submerge all this Giang Hu righteousness and repair to a serene non-martial life loving ShuLien and now this happens ! Didn't someone said that those who lives by the sword -------.
For Jen: I thought my love for Lo is strong but what is this strange feeling coming over me ? Am I spellbound by Li Mu Bai ? Is this an re-enactment of the dangerous liaison between mentor and pupil ? Is this dejavu all over again as with Jade Fox. Yet I am so much drawn into this maelstrom. I envy ShuLien for her Giang Hu life when I met her. Now it seems that I am just jealous of her.... like two sisters in love with the same man. Maybe it is best that I steal Green Destiny a second time and lose myself in the Giang Hu world and not succumb to my desire for an older man.
For Yu ShuLien: Oh no, don't let this happen, I may lose him to youth. Jen has fallen for him, the same way I did even though I was bethrothed then to his brother-in-arms, years ago. After my fiance's death, Li and I suppress our feelings out of despair and unsurmountable guilt because we have our suspicion that my fiance sacrificed himself to save Li in battle after stumbling upon our secret love. ( this is my conjecture, ha ha ). After all these wasted years, Mu Bai has finally transcend his guilty feelings to be with me ..... And now this has to happen ! I am beginning to detest her.
For Lo: Whatever has happened to Jen? She has changed. She has lost that lovelight in her eyes! *Sigh* I have come this far to Peking for naught.
For Jade Fox: I had to kill Li Mu Bai's mentor for stealing my innocence. Now, I will have to kill Li Mu Bai for stealing my innocent.
e) Savor the dripping irony in the kiln scene where a drippingly wet and sensual Jen holding tightly onto the sword, stuporified with Jade Fox's potion and stupefied with sudden unseated emotion, issued a challenge to i Mu Bai to come clean' with a double entendre, pregnant with possibilities, ` Is it ME or the Green Destiny, that you come for ?'. (Emphasis is mine.) Li Mu Bai was taken aback by Jen's forthrightness. His mojo was shaken, for sure. The undercurrent is so thick that only a Green Destiny can slice through. The first time I saw the scene, I was nonplussed. The second time: epiphany !
f) Experience the split second pain and consternation that shot through Yun ShuLien when she stumbled onto the kiln scene, catching Li Mu Bai laying hands on Jen to extricate the drug from her body. It's honorable; not what she thought but the expression on her face goes: What the heck is going on....? Oh holy bogdhisattva, my worst nightmare has come true !
( And I mean, this is before Li Mu Bai took a vicious purple Yin poison dart in his jugular!)
g) Feel the dreamy passion playing on Jen's face when she took flight at the end, leaving Lo as an also-ran on the bridge. Lo's demeanor seemed to show a zen of understanding as Jen plunged or soared (your pick) to join her deceased hero. Truly, Jen's is a magnificent obsession  to the end. Puts a whole new meaning to the words: Fatal Attraction, isn't it ?
( By the way, only the charismatic Chow Yun-Fat has the sheer magnetism to pull that off -- to stir a young damsel's blood and set her heart a'flutter; Jet Li just won't cut it being Li Mu Bai. When Chow came aboard replacing Jet Li, it was a godsend and Ang Lee judiciously tailored the script, insert the innuendo of Jen's infatuation and expanded Li Mu Bai's screen presence to showcase Chow Yun-Fat's screen presence. )
h) Finally, some wag in some review, has called Green Destiny, a phallic symbol. Li Mu Bai's.? Very allegorical and very true. Many a true word is spoken in jest. Yes?
Like I've said, only Ang Lee with the assistance of his very capable writers, Shamus et al, can construct such a powerful yet subtle masterpiece. Truly this film is a Sense and Sensibility with martial arts. With deference to those who disparagingly called this a kung phooey movie with nonsensical flying, I said to them: ` Take your blinders off, my friends and let your hearts take flight', if not, then "Take a hike".
`Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is one of the top 10 films of all time. Well done, Ang Lee. Hopefully, you have paved the way for further celluloid excellence to be followed in this new century. Hollywood, please take note.
In case you haven't noticed, as "Wo Hu Zang Long" goes up from 10 to 9 on the IMDB Top 250, my vote for it goes from a 9 point to a 10. Giving it any less is a sacrilege !
Hey, everyone move back and make room on the bandwagon for me. Glad to join you all on board.
And Mr. L. Santoro ( love your fantastic review ) extend me your hand, help me climb aboard before we all get hemmed in by the arrival of the Oscars.