The star that shines on the world of martial arts movies

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2000)

I am among one of the first to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for its premiere in New York. I have to say that I am guilty of being an crazy man about this movie. I saw this movie three time, (still countin') twice in Taiwan and once in the US. This is one of the movies that you appreciate more when you watch it for the second time, third time, and on...
My roommate, who I dragged to see this movie, loved it, and said it was incredible, definite one of the best movie he's seem all year. And I have to say that, it has just the right combination of action and drama, that one craves the other.
Maybe you will say "well, he's Chinese, so what if he likes the film, he's supposed to, right?"
To that, I can only say "Actually, that's more the reason for me to suppose to dislike the film."
If you have not heard from people in Taiwan or China, a lot of Chinese didn't like this movie, because Chow Y. Fat and Michelle Yeoh did not speak "perfect" mandarin that their character demands. Michelle is from Mala., so her Chinese is as good as a foreigner speaking mardarin, and CYF is not a good speaker since he speaks Cantonese. Most of my Chinese friends were so into the imperfect Chinese that they miss the content of the movie.
So you see, the fact that I am Chinese and likes the movie is rather a guarantee that the movie will be worth a look.
I cannot see how anyone can dislike the movie--you see "The 10 commandments" but even if you are not Christian/Jewish, will you be like: "The story sux... how can a burning bush talk?" If you see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and be like "Puff, kung-fu is just a hoax..." then you better see the movie again, because chances are, you either have no imagination what so ever (which, I recommend you get some or you'll be a very boring person to be around) or you kinda just let the big picture slip by you when we were so caught up in the petty details.
This movie is beautiful, artistic, and full of deep life lessons--Only if you look for them. Don't just waiting for the director to throw them at your face--"Pow! there's a lesson to u!" Its everything you thought about action movies--except that it is so much more.