Good, but not great

Rating: 7/10 (2 July 2001)

I never did understand the hoopla behind this film. Yes, the special effects were great. So were those in the Matrix. Yes, the fighting scenes were amazing. But I prefer the realism of Jackie Chan doing his own stunts any day. As for the subplot...
I've heard several different opinions about the true meaning of the movie. But none of them could convince me that this movie actually made any kind of point. It basically seemed to drift from one sequence to another. First we have some story about the sword. Then it's stolen. Then they try to find the thief. Not bad so far. But then they go into all sorts of nonsense about the girl's bandit boyfriend, which is about the time that the movie starts drifting into meaninglessness.
Maybe it's just me, but if you're going to make a statement about the negative roles assigned to women in ancient China, then at least be a little more upfront about it. Focus on them more, and do it equally. They had three women playing important roles, but only two of them were given any kind of major character development. Personally, I was waiting for Chow Yun Fat to kick the snot out of that pretentious little brat. Sure, she was cute, but her character actually irritated me to no end. I was actually rooting for Michelle Yeoh.
Honestly, give me Operation Condor any day. Sure, it's story is meaningless tripe. But it never claims to be anything more than that, which is my biggest complaint about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.