Breathtaking, but...

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2001)

Without doubt Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was one of the most visually stunning films of recent memory. The epic fight scenes were some of the best, martial arts of the highest quality combined with Matrix like 'flying' sequences that added to the impact. Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh finally demonstrated to the wider world exactly why their stars have shone so brightly in Hong Kong. Fat again played the stylish suave character he has portrayed so well in his other films, although a little under utilized here, and Michelle Yeoh demonstrated how under utilized her incredible skills were in Tomorrow Never Dies.
The only problem with this film was in its story. Ang Lee did a superb job in weaving an engaging story in this film, but the film got bogged down in its dramatic aspects. Full marks to Lee for trying to incorporate dramatic elements into an action spectacular, but he would have been much better served in keeping more to the action side. The story lagged in several key areas, most notably the whole Desert Romance aside, and it needed one more action scene, such as a more prolonged and epic duel between Li Mu Bai and Jade Fox.
If this film had been leaning more towards a simple action film, no doubt it would have been one of the best ever, and I say that unreservedly. But by being too dramatic, in an effort to add some depth to the story, Ang Lee lost his opportunity for forging a place for Crouching Tiger amongst the greatest all time action films. Still, the story was engaging, and the action scenes will live forever in my memory. A highlight of this year without doubt. 8 out of 10.