A masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2000)

Not only in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Tiger a great showpiece of Chinese talent, it is also an excellent window into Chinese culture and folklore. I hope this film gets the exposure it deserves, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen any Chinese fantasy films to go see it - the action sequences are a breathtaking mix of crazy acrobatics and swordplay. It is a film of epic proportion - of legendary heroes, honour codes, and ancient grudges. The film is beautifully shot, from the vast deserts of Western China to the lush green mountains and the bustling citadel of ancient Beijing. The sets are comparable to the Emperor and the Assasin. The attention to detail also adds a level of belief to this movie, as evry extra has a unique get-up or weapon. I cannot express just how impressed I am with this movie with mere words. After seeing this film, I kinda wished I could read Chinese so i can actually read the books. If you dug movies like Once a Upon a Time in China, or The Blade, I highly recommend you watch this. I look foward to the sequel.