Romantic Renaissance for the Martial Arts Genre

Rating: 6/10 (8 July 2000)

For those expecting a chopsocky Jackie Chan flick( I bet there will be many), you will be sorely disappointed. But for the rest of you, enjoy the visual treat that is 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
This genre defying film is lensed with a vivid appreciation, not only for China's immense panoramic beauty but for its romantic folklores and sumptously rich culture.
Under the masterful hands of director Ang Lee, 'Crouching' has been elevated from an expertly choreographed Martial Arts flick, into a nuanced character-driven tale. A tale fleshed out by tour-de-force performance from its strong cast(including Chow Yun Fatt, Michelle Yeoh and new comer Zhang Ziyi etc) and laced with such piercing poetic lyricism, it brings out the true essence of those bygone era Swordsman classics. One can only marvel at Lee's perceptual understanding and passion for this personal labour of love.
All things said and done, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' marks a renaissance for the Kung-fu movie genre. Oscar or no Oscar, this film will be catapulted into the realms of motion picture classics in years to come.