Digging the Wudan Clan

Rating: 7/10 (22 January 2001)

Martial Arts movies are coming back! I can't remember the last time I went to a subtitled movie in a crowded theater, but the hype around Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon must be working. A recent Saturday matinee was packed.
People are going to see a film in Cantonese, but not all of them can handle it. I heard a lady complaining that she couldn't keep up with the dialogue while we were leaving the theater. (My nine year old son had no problems.) And there were a lot of giggles during the ethereal fight scenes. Apparently, some people can't suspend reality enough to be awed by martial artists trained in the Wudan discipline flying through the air. (Okay, it looks kind of silly in print, but it works.)
I went to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with very high expectations. Most of the movie reviewers I read have it on their Best of 2000 lists. I liked the movie very much, especially Peter Pau's cinematography, but I wish I'd gone into the film knowing a little less about it.

It's a gorgeous movie with great acting. Anyone who fell in love with Chun Yow Fat in The King and I will enjoy his Li Mu Bai. He is the moral center who grounds the story of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

But, the real surprise is the strength of the female characters in the film. Director Ang Lee seems to gravitate toward projects with strong female leads, and that's why his movies will continue to stand out. In my opinion, the two best fight scenes in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are staged between two women, and they are phenomenal. Audiences are reacting to martial arts moves and cheering that girls are kicking butt. That made me happy, as I've studied martial arts for over four years.
Michelle Yeoh (Yu Shu Lien) is a great role model for girls. She has dignity and manners, grace under fire and a knowledge of weapons! Chen Chang (Lo) and Ziyi Zhang (Jen) are both wonderful actors who bring a youthful energy and at times much needed comic relief to the movie.
Yes, there's comedy and tragedy and a story and a very powerful sword all set in beautiful China surroundings. I worry that if Ang Lee has started a trend, that the future movies with martial arts will not bother with anything beyond action. For now though, get to this trendsetter, if you think you can handle it.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is rated PG-13 for martial arts violence and some sexuality. And you need have the ability and desire to read the dialogue.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon earns 4 stars on my scale, 0-5. It's stylish and subtitled, raising the bar for foreign films and leap kicking over it with jaw dropping action. The best part is that the questions of who is the Crouching Tiger and who is the Hidden Dragon are open for debate. Buddha's name be praised.