You can enjoy it...if you believe you can!

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2001)

When I first saw the trailer for CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, I had no idea what I was in store for. I entered the theater at 10 O'clock on a Monday night, and I was excited because there were only two other people in the theater, who did not snicker or voice negative feelings during this film. There are definite pros, and unfortunately, some glaring cons in choosing to see CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON in the theater.
Let's discuss the pros first, shall we?
First, the scenery: No one should have any difficulty losing themselves in the visual delights that Ang Lee open up to us - from bleak deserts to serene bamboo forests, we are transported to a gorgeous world of mysticism and fantasy.
Next, the main characters: Chow-Yun Fat (Li Mu Bai)does a superb job playing the pensive warrior with a moral conflict. Michelle Yeoh (Shu Lien) is up to the task of playing a balanced lover/sister/fighter - and looks gorgeous doing so. Zhang Ziyi is the moral tug for viewers, as she reminds us that ambition/power alone do not give life meaning. What does? Watch the film - I won't ruin it for you.
Finally, the fight sequences: There are very few people who don't know that the fight choreographer for CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON also did the fight scenes in THE MATRIX - this means we are treated to eye-popping, hyper-kinetic fights that leave us salivating for more.
But there are cons too, folks. No movie is perfect.
Firstly, The subtitles: While the story is excellent, not every American moviegoer has the patience to multi-task between action and the translation of dialogue. DVD can bring around a dubbed version for those viewers. Next, there are too many assumptions placed on the audience: Some characters were placed in the story with a scant history; others had histories that went on far too long. Since this film is aimed at an Eastern audience, certain myths are assumed, such as the mastery of gravity. Most Americans can't enjoy this movie without a basic explanation of those myths - they are too grounded in "reality". Finally...You know, I can't think of a third con, since this movie succeeds on so many levels. But let me sum up with this:
Anyone can enjoy CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: but there are a few prerequisites. (1)Don't get hung up on the subtitles. [This makes the theater quieter anyway, since folks have to pay closer attention!] (2)Don't get hung up on the anti-gravity stuff [I find it interesting that folks who cry "That could never happen" are the same people who have no trouble believing in Terminators, The Force, The Matrix and time travel.] These are _legendary_ skills, people...accept them as such. (3)Don't expect this to be a Kung-Fu film. CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is a fantasy movie with tones of honor, love, loyalty and moral choices. If you can't run with your imagination, then this movie isn't for you. But, if you can....run like the wind!