Magic

Rating: 10/10 (5 August 2003)

Minor Spoilers Ahead
It was a cold winter day back in the good ol' year of 2000. My parents decided that it was a good day to take their kids (us) to see a film. We went online and checked out the schedule of what was playing. My brother's were keen on seeing some film that I don't remember, but luckily my parents decided that they wanted to see Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. I had heard a lot about the movie, mostly from my friends who claimed that, "It was alright in some parts, but there were these stupid flying scenes!" My relatives said that it was a great film, definitely the best of the year, along with friends of my parents. I knew that my taste for movies was a little bit more mature than that of my friends and decided that seeing as how I loved Asian film, and that co-star was just so damn cute, I would go, see, and enjoy. We got on our boots, and jackets and struggled out through the snowy winds just to get to the darned car in the driveway. When we finally got to the theatre the movie was about to start. We rushed into our seats, sat down, and witnessed one of the greatest films I have ever seen.
"Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" is the visual masterpiece directed by Ang Lee, starring Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen. The film, winner of 4 Academy Awards and nominated for 10, is a visually breathtaking fantasy that captures you from the get go and lets you into a world of love, betrayal, friendship, and hatred. This film has been praised by critics all around the globe, and in 2000 deemed "Best Picture of the Year" by over 100 critics nationwide. CTHD features the choreography of Yuen Wo Ping, whose credits include "The Matrix.
Set in 19th century China, CTHD is the story of martial arts master Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) and his good friend Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh). Li Mu Bai gives his sword "Green Destiny" to Sir Te as a present, and just as he hands it over it is stolen. Yu Shu Lien, who is there at the time runs after the thief trying to get the sword back but is unsuccessful. She befriends the daughter of Governor Yu, Jen Yu and notices something a bit fishy about the young character. By watching Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien we can tell that they feel something for each other, but Yu Shu Lien was previously married, and out of respect for her previous husband they try not to come together. There is also a sub-plot with Jen Yu and a former lover who comes back to take her away, but she is to be married and therefore dismisses him. Jen Yu runs away to be free from her lifestyle and it's Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu's job to find her and bring her back.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon's story is a fantastical love story and though you may think that this sort of thing will turn you off, I beg you give it a chance. It is an amazing tale that is timeless and will captivate you no matter your tastes; it is just that good. The actors in the movie help move the story along very well. Aside from the rigorous martial arts and action scenes they have to do, they perform the dramatic part of the film very well and convincingly. Michelle Yeoh impresses me again with her amazing talent as an actress and athlete. Chow Yun Fat does well as Li Mu Bai, and again shows his talent in both fields. Newcomer Zhang Ziyi is remarkable as Jen Yu. She is breathtakingly beautiful and an astounding actress. Her background in dance helped very much as she looks so natural doing the martial arts in the film.
The cinematography in CTHD is awe-inspiring. Everything is so graceful and beautiful. It is a visual feast, and done so well that you feel like this can't be the world I live on, it just can't. The martial arts are done very well in the film also. The wires are used very well, and there are a couple of scenes that I would like to mention as being great examples of each. There is a scene at the beginning where Jen Yu steals the sword and Yu Shu Lien chases her over the rooftops of the buildings. It is like a ballet, the gracefulness of the actors as they fly over the rooftops and then come together in powerful displays of martial arts, never losing the refined and beautiful style of their dance. Another scene is when Jen Yu goes to a restaurant and gets in a fight with an enormous group of men. Everything is so well done. She kicks the living crap out of every single one of them, and manages to do so with such style that it almost seems as if she is mocking them with her superior skill. There is also the famous dance on the treetops, which to me is one of the best scenes in the film, using the aforementioned style that the actors and choreographer Yuen Wo Ping put into every scene, to make one of the most beautiful scenes in movie history.
In conclusion, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a remarkable film by Ang Lee. It is definitely the best picture of 2000 and blows `Gladiator' right out of the water. The direction, scoring, cinematography, choreography and acting are all top-notch and make this movie an absolute must see. With awe-inspiring visuals, and a story that will steal your heart, I recommend CTHD to everyone everywhere. You will not be disappointed
****/****