A World Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (2 February 2001)

Ang Lee's film is a lyrical masterpiece, rightfully noted by the American Film Institute as "bringing the world together." Heavily weighted in Eastern philosophy and tradition, "Crouching Tiger" accessibly brings Asian film to Western audiences. The film begins by slowly setting the stage for the romance subplot between Chow Yun Fat's "Mu Bai" and Michelle Yeoh's "Shu Lien". The fan expecting all action may find this initial opening slow. However, the more estute fan will recognize this as the necessary build-up. Les the action fan get bored, the fights kick up a mere ten minutes into the film, and when they do, boy, is he paid off. The initial fight scene introduces the audience to an audacious display of superior martial artistry. Anyone who thought the use of the word "arts" in "martial arts" was a stretch will be proved wrong. The choreography in this initial battle is pure bliss. Every time you think they can't outdo themselves, believe me, they do. With each subsequential fight, you think you've seen the best, but then Ang Lee, moving himself into the world canon of directors, tops them all with a fight at the top of a bamboo forest that will literally leave you in awe. This viewer has seen too many films in his lifetime, but "Crouching Tiger" really brought back the magic of going to the movies. It truly lifts you to a place where you've never been. I, again, felt like the six year old who saw "Star Wars", and to recapture that feeling 25 years later was cinematic bliss. Go. And then go again. The new millennium has just begun, but Ang Lee has given other filmmakers a peak to reach for. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is the "Star Wars" for the world economy. Subtitles or no, it is the greatest film in decades, and, I believe, for decades to come.