Director Ang Lee's highly innovative valentine ; benchmark moviemaking at its fines

Rating: Null/10 (29 April 2004)

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2000) **** Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Lung Sihung, Cheng Pei Pei, Gao Xian, Hai Yan. Director Ang Lee's highly innovative valentine to his beloved martial arts films of his youth is best served by his clear-eyed approach to a genre riddled with mystique enhanced by compelling characters with a simple plot line (stoic warrior Chow's unique sword is stolen and honor must be restored in 19th century China) and some jaw-dropping state-of-the-art visuals with gravity defying balletic fight sequences (thanks largely to expert instructor Yuen Wo-Ping). Ziyi gives an overnight sensational star-making turn as a regal bride to be with a secret: she's a protégé in the making as a warrior to be reckoned with as a butt-kicking wunderkind. Epic storytelling with obvious heartfelt immediacy underscored by classical musician Yo-Yo Ma's pungent score. Benchmark moviemaking at its finest.