enchanting: tao-meets-freud martial arts fantasy

Rating: Null/10 (3 March 2001)

I was captivated by this fantasy; it is beautiful and a little mysterious, as well as action-packed. In Taoist thought "tiger" stands for yin, the "accepting [better word than 'passive']" feminine side, "dragon" for yang,the "active" masculine side; but each principle contains elements of the other--it is never either-or, never just a simple opposition. And the story traces that ambiguity in Jen's coming of age, in her becoming a woman but not giving up her warrior side at all (whereas Shu Lien and Jade Fox, each in her own way, represent the pain in trying to be both a woman and a warrior). (Freudians will spot plenty, whether it was put there on purpose or not: sword, comb, flying, the "sexless" surrogate parents, etc.) Ang Lee returns to the themes of gender and sexuality that he explored in earlier movies, but here they are worked into a stunning action movie. All ages and tastes will find something to engage their imagination--you can enjoy it on many levels!