A truly remarkable motion picture.

Rating: Null/10 (21 November 2002)

Before I begin, I urge you to watch this film in Mandarin with subtitles, just like it should be.
The best film of 2000, indeed, even if it didn't beat the overrated Gladiator, Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is the definitive martial arts movie for the 21st century. The story of a legendary sword being in the hands of various characters is mixed with the hunt for a murderous woman and the doomed relationship between lovers is a tremendous sight.
I just love how they made the fight scenes look like dancing. It made me look at the martial arts as more than fighting. Throw in the incredible swordplay and it makes it even more amazing. Yeah, the flying around is a little silly, but this is a mystical China we're talking about. The scene where Ziyi Zhang's Jen Yu is spinning around like a whack video-game boss and laying waste to everyone in the restaurant is priceless and worth the price of admission. With great acting by the Zhang, Chun-Yow Fat, and former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh, gorgeous cinematography and superb direction by Ang Lee, it adds up as a huge winner. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a must-see.
I'll bet some NBA and WNBA teams wish they could have people like those three on their teams; forget Michael Jordan: Lu Mu Bai, Yu Shu Lien, and Jen Yu really can defy gravity...