Characters seem to be able to fly.
Even if you've seen this kind of effect in classic Hong Kong movies, it's never been so breathtaking as it is in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon . Part of the reason it works so well is the wide scope and slow pace of the movie. Every move, leap, punch, and dodge is clearly seen. And, even more importantly, the space in which the fight takes place is visibly outlined so that we know where the players are at any given moment in relation to their surroundings. The problem, and the reason for my disappointment, comes when the fighting stops.