A Landmark Film in Ku Fung Cinema, Unforgettable, Brilliant!!!

Rating: 10/10 (29 May 2008)

"Sense and Sensibility" director Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has achieved what no other 19th century Hong Kong martial arts costume epic has ever accomplished in the history of motion pictures. Not only did action fantasy rake in big bucks at the box office, but it also racked up dozens of cinematic awards, including four Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Original Score, and Best Foreign Language film, in addition to being nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. Lenser Peter Pau walked off with four awards for his marvelous cinematography, and Hong Kong critics honored Woo-ping Yuen for Best Choreography as well as Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Director. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is surely the most honored martial arts masterpiece of all time, at least for the time being and combines art-house prestige with plain, old-fashioned, slam-bang, kick-butt melodrama. Moreover, in America, Ang Lee has succeeded with his critically acclaimed film of presenting the dialogue in original Mandarin language so that audiences had to contend with subtitles. Traditionally, American audiences shun subtitles, but "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" changed that with its unqualified success. Happily, the subtitles rarely exceed two sentences.
Veteran fight choreographer Woo-Ping Yuen of "The Matrix" complements Ang Lee's quiet but compelling dialogue scenes with several incredibly kinetic, gravity-defying combat sequences staged with warriors dashing up walls, gliding across rooftops, and clashing swords atop towering bamboo trees. These eye-popping acrobatics enhance an intricately woven yarn about love, honor, intrigue, gender-reversal, and revenge. Ten years ago hyperkinetic antics such as these would have been greeted with derision. Indeed, not sense the Bruce Lee actioneer "Enter the Dragon" has a Chinese-language, martial arts film been heralded with so many honors and changed the attitudes of Americans.
Starring Chow Yuen Fat of "The Replacement Killers," and Michele Yeoh of "Tomorrow Never Dies," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" qualifies as a bittersweet but transcendental kung fu spectacle set during the Qing Dynasty. Scenarists James "Ride with the Devil" Schamus and Tsai Kuo Jung based their screenplay on Wang Du Lu's romantic novel about the tragedy that dooms two ill-fated couples when a thief steals a 400-year old sword called 'the Green Destiny.' Initially, invincible Wudan swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) renounces the warrior's life. Basically, all Li Mu wants is to hang up his sword and settle down with Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), a fearless kung fu fighter once betrothed to Li's late brother. Each repress the heartfelt love smoldering between them to honor the memory of his slain brother. Visiting Shu Lien, Li entrusts her with delivering his legendary sword to Sir Te (Sihung Lung), an elder who helped them.
Meanwhile, the provincial governor's daughter, Jen (Zhang Ziyi of "Rush Hour 2"), reluctantly prepares for an arranged marriage. She admires Shu Lien and envies her maverick lifestyle. Jen neither wants to wed nor has gotten over a torrid love affair with Dark Cloud (Chang Chen), a charismatic desert brigand. No sooner has Shu Lien presented the sword to Sir Te than a masked intruder filches it. Shu Lien pursues the elusive larcenist up the sides of walls in a futile effort to nab the thief, but loses the villain in the darkness. Eventually, Li returns and teams up with her to recover the sword. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" ponders the meeting of true happiness. Tempestuous Jen argues you can only attain Shangri-La when you choose who you love and what you want! Pictorially, "Tiger" boasts spectacular photography of the Forbidden City as well as the parched grandeur of the Gobi Desert. Longtime Kung Fu Cinema fans will hail the hair-raising heroics, while ardent feminists will applaud the strong, independent women that defy the traditional roles. Ultimately, nobody finds true happiness, except for the audience. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" ranks as a landmark kung fu film.