Looking for mindless thrills? Then look elsewhere!

Rating: Null/10 (15 July 2001)

A large majority of internet reviewers have panned this film for being 'long and boring', and for having 'fake martial arts stunts'. Some have simply panned this film for 'being popular' but for 'not being made in America' - which is a pretty racist excuse for panning a film. Let's be blunt, shall we? If you're expecting a mindless, violent Hong Kong-style chop-socky extragavanza, I strongly suggest you look somewhere else. And if you're expecting to see a Matrix-style science-fiction/fantasy film, I definitely advise you to look somewhere else. This is not a good film to watch if you're looking for vicarious thrills.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(CTHD) is a serious drama wrapped in the guise of a Wuxia martial arts film. It deals with issues such as love, devotion, honour, duty...many concepts that our modern society seems to have devalued or simply forgotten. No wonder this film got such a panning from internet critics - I guess this film doesn't really deal in anything modern audiences would consider "important".
I felt that this was a film where the 'special effects' such as the wire-work stunts, took second place to the real special effects - the actors. Zhang Ziyi is the obvious standout, she's received plenty of raves for her outstanding performance. However, I feel that not enough credit has been paid to Michelle Yeoh and Chow-Yun Fat. Both have roles that require measured, understated performances. Their characters may not garner as much attention as young Jen(Zhang Ziyi), but they (and their relationship) are the foundation of this film.
Every aspect of this film is a credit to its creators - Ang Lee and his collaborators should be proud to have produced such a brilliant film. This is not the kind of film that will win instant accolades from everyone. It challenges every single stereotypical element we've come to expect of Asian martial arts films...and succeeds brilliantly. If it were possible to give ten out of five stars, I would. If you're a viewer that's sick and tired of unoriginal, dull and boring cinema, and want to be challenged and invigorated by something totally different, then I definitely reccommend Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This film is a classic.