A class of its own

Rating: 10/10 (24 January 2001)

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is simply one of the best movies I have ever seen. Like "Star Wars", "E.T.", it is a perfect combination of art and entertainment. It tells a story that everyone can relate to, and everyone probably has dreamed of at some stage of his/her life. Who has not dreamed of flying, free from the limitation of our body, free from the restriction of the world? Who has not dreamed of becoming a master and walking through a troubled life with a brave heart? Who has not experienced, or would like to experience a love that you dare not express?
And how well it tells the story! Two loves, one mature, suppressed, yet still burning like a bright star in dark night, and the other wild and impetuous, yet at the same time innocent and tender. It indeed bears many similarities to "sense and sensibility". But what impressed me most is Michelle Yeoh, whose performance is truly remarkable. Her big eyes, restrained facial expressions can say a thousand things at the same time, and say them more eloquently than thousands of words. The other one I want to single out is actually Jade Fox. She is such a complicated character. The last words of her, "Jen, my only love, ..., and my only enemy, ...", give me such a strange mixture of feelings: compassion, pity, understanding, and relief.
And of course, I must praise the fight scenes. My favourite is the night chase. At first, I was not that impressed, but it graduately became more exciting, more elegant, and finally, a great dance that transcend the limit of gravity. I simply want to sit back and be grateful that Ang Lee has such a vision to realize a beauty that I have never dreamed of, and at the same time you want to join Jen and Shu-Lian and be part of the fight.

The final fight scene at the top of the swaying bamboo trees is simply breathtaking. Despite all the physical activities, it feels like a long Zen meditation. It brings the same feeling as only traditional Chinese paintings can, a tranquillity that does not belong to this world.
Ang Lee also gives this movie a unique sense of rhythm. At one moment, your heart pounds so hard that it might just jump out of your throat, yet at another moment you hold your breath to saviour an impossible beauty, and seconds later you would burst into laughter. What a magnificent achievement!
Ang Lee said that he made this movie to realize his boyhood fantasy. He has at least realized mine, for which I am very very grateful. It is simply one of the best movies I have ever seen, and completely in a class of its own.