Spectular

Rating: Null/10 (6 March 2003)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is no ordinary foreign film. Its not hard to see why it scooped up four Oscars and was nominated for six others this year. It is a movie of forbidden love, astounding fighting sequences and breathtaking scenery. The film is best described by director Ang Lee's words; "It is a dream.'
Among the Oscar-winning Cinematography are unbelievable fighting scenes. They are a convention of the 'Wuxia' genre, which is almost 2000 years old. Wuxia can be roughly translated for the uneducated Australian to a flying swordsmen movie. Characters of a wuxia fiction contain some of the following traits: generosity, honour, martial prowess, honesty, sense of duty, sense of justice, and courage.
The movie is based upon fiction in the 19th century. This was a time of mystical worriers that ruled the land, fighting evil forces. A particular warrior and expert swordsman by the name of Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) has had enough of his fighting days and is ready to retire his sword, ` The Green Destiny.' He desires to devote his life to his secret love Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), an equally gifted adept with the sword. However, she is tangled in a situation of wanting to be with Li Mu Bai, but is devoted to her long dead betrothed. Then onto the scene is the beautiful, young noblewomen, Jen (Zhang Ziyi). Jen is looking to escape the ordered and strict life that she lives. Instead, she wants to lead a more exciting and adventurous tale. Shu Lien, Li Mu Bai and Jen all meet when the legendary `Green Destiny' is stolen.
Through the unraveling of the romantic connections between the characters and the exciting hunt for the `Green Destiny,' comes a fantastic tale which has been sequenced flawlessly. Although, at some times in the movie, the plot moves at a snail's pace, it is fortunate that the imaginative fighting sequences make up for it. The director uses manipulation of editing and special effects to perfection.
Words can not justify the overall production of this movie. From all aspects, it is a superb production. An experience not to be missed.
8/10