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Rating:  -
I have seen many people praising this film as a masterpiece, and it is a good film. I would actually give it 3 and a half stars, but I had to choose either three or four, so it gets three (obviously, I don't consider it a masterpiece. For a masterpiece, you need to see some select Sammo Hung films- more on that later). I have noticed that many of the people who praise this film have never really seen any other Hong Kong style films, so I thought I would give some background on some of the things in the movie that will help them make more 'sense'.
1) The flying- Hong Kong martial arts films have a LOT of wirework these days, and even back before wires were used extensively, martial artists were depicted as doing things that Americans would consider ridiculous (like skimming across the surface of a lake by running fast, or jumping over a 40 foot wall). This is totally accepted in Hong Kong cinema, its not that they think it could really be done, its just part of their film culture to accept these feats as normal in a kung fu movie.
2) The importance of the sword and the training manual- Seeking a special weapon or training manual to defeat the movie's villian is a plotline that has been used countless times in Hong Kong kung fu movies. Again, its part of the film culture, really. Obviously, you aren't expected to reason it through (like, "how could she learn kung fu that good just from a book?"). Just accept it.
3) The tragedy- HK kung fu films have a long history of incorporating sacrifice and tragedy into their main themes. The Chinese kung fu hero is supposed to be self-sacrificing, putting their own happiness second to everyone else's. Even more importantly, their sense of honor (different from the American idea of honor) must come first, not their own happiness. Americans like their heroes brash and mouthy, the Chinese like them noble and sacrificing.
A few more points. NONE of the actors (with the exception of Michelle Yeoh) have any kung fu training. Chow Yun Fat did mostly gunplay movies, and Zhang Ziyi has a dance background. This is the reason for the extreme editing during the fight scenes- its to cover for the skills weakness of the actors. This is a trend in modern Hong Kong- where martial art movies used to have real martial artists in them, now they have boy-band members with NO martial arts training in them. Not a good thing.
Jade Fox is played by Chang Pei Pei, a legendary Hong Kong actress who appeared in many swordplay films in the '60's (Incidently, she also had no kung fu training).
There is no comedy in this film. The vast majority of Hong Kong kung fu movies contain comedy, it just depends on how much. We are talking really stupid slapstick lame humor, simply because that is what Chinese audiences tend to prefer. Thankfully, Crouching Tiger avoided any silliness and focused on the drama.
Many kung fu styles are named after animals (Crane style, Mantis style, Monkey style), and this plays a large part in Chinese martial art lore. Referencing animals to describe martial artists (ie- Bruce Lee = "Little Dragon") and situations in the Chinese martial arts world is common, and the title of the movie should make more sense if you understand that.
One final point is the concept of the "boxer's world" or the 'martial arts world' in Hong Kong cinema ('boxer' is the closest word to what the Chinese use to describe a martial arts practitioner). The 'boxer's world' concept doesn't have a Western equivilent concept, and is a little hard to describe. Its basically that if you devote your whole life to martial arts and the pursuit of perfection in it, you have no time for 'real world' type of living. Its almost as if you have two different worlds coexisting: the regular world where the regular people exist, and the boxer's world, where the serious martial artists exist. In addition, all boxers wish to be the best, and challenge each other to secure a position in the heirarchy of the boxer's world. In Crouching Tiger, Chow Yun Fat's character is a boxer trying to quietly retire from the boxer's world.
If you enjoyed Crouching Tiger, I would urge you to explore kung fu cinema further. It is generally excepted that the best kung fu movies were produced in Hong Kong during the late '70's and very early '80's. If you are interested in viewing an old school kung fu movie (no real wirework, REAL martial artists, INCREDIBLE kung fu choreography and nice long takes (not choppy MTV-style editing to cover lack of fighting skills), I would recommend you pick up Warriors Two, starring Sammo Hung. This is one of the BEST kung fu movies ever made, and it is available through Amazon (it is distributed by Fox) and is VERY affordable. Just one word of warning, there is some humor in this movie (Sammo never made one without humor), but it is minimal by Hong Kong standards, and doesn't get in the way of the story and the incredible kung fu action.
Rating: -
I have heard of this film for so long i finally decided to buy it and left with a distinct feeling that
the people who praise it so much are either (1)Overhyped, and just excited to see something re-introduced
into the mainstream audiences. or (2) Easilly excited and are the ones who created all the hype. or Lastly
(3) Cough* Cough* just exited to see Zhang Ziyi, a pretty girl no arguments there.. put down your swords
guys.
This film has many many mistakes in it and im sure even the Director feels the same way looking back.
I thought the casting was great and i dont think this film was horrible or even really bad but i dont even
think It's classic or even Great, neither is it any kind of masterpice. The people who are saying this are
easilly impressed.
Let me break it down for you :
1) Chow Yun Fat looks like hes about 100 pounds overweight in this film, the style of clothing did not help
this at all. His fighting skill were never really even shown, it was all slight of hand fancy camera angles
and whatever to make up for the fact that he is just an actor in real life. In fact the truth is he hardly
show up in the film, the only thing we do know is his name was "Li mu bai!" If his reputation proceded him
it was only spoken of it was never shown. If the term "His Reputation Proceeds him" was ever meant to fit
anywhere its here.
2) The fight scenes where they are climbing all over the rooftops and trees.. Flying from tree to tree im not
trying to argue against the idea. But the Wire Work, (actors attached to wires for flips jumps, etc) was just
ended up looking so sloppy that it ended up looking silly. If you like it. Fine im not trying to steal your
eggo.. but let of MINE, because the wire work was really sloppy overall.
I mean you cant CLIMB OVER AIR, rooftops yes but if your walking over a roof and making step after step at
least make it LOOK like your feet are hitting something.
3) Thirdly the storyline was not bad but you mean to tell me this girl played by Zhang Ziyi was able to fight
that good from a manual, from which even as they state in the movie that she only knew half of it and what
she knew was dangerous to her? Chow yun fats wish seemed to be MORE or less of having a HARD ON for
teaching Zhang Ziyi ... even more than approaching his love interest.
Lets face it Zhang Ziyi is the only thing good about this film besides the idea of The Jade Fox, the person who
played Chow Yun Fats love interest Michelle something was GREAT for the part. But what they never even
touched, i mean they didnt even hug. He chases Zhang Ziyi more than his love interest.
And it takes focus even though it
was not supposed to be the point. Its a faulty script i couldnt believe it. I dont hate it but it was really
just above average and is good. Do you know how many great martial arts movies have already been made?
I did like it but it does not live up to the HYPE for me at all.
The story ends before you know it everyone you want to live dies, its just ridiculously faulty. If i say this
then how can the film critics praise it so highly you ask.. Jesus Christ if you dont know its all about Zhang
Ziyi by now THEN you might not ever.
She is so lucsious, my baby, my precious, oh yes my preciousssss. Oh my little baby girl. Shuffle Shuffle.......
Hey woah oops! Are you still here? Im so embarrased.
Anyways even though she is my girlfreind Zhang Ziyi i would rather reccomend The New Crouching Tiger Hidden
Dragon at least we got to stay with the characters and get to know them become confortable with them as well
as the story in that 2 disc film. Its way more fleshed out.
"Make popcorn now." Excuse me honey? "Make Popcorn now!"
Ok thats my que MY GIRLFRIEND Zhang Ziyi is calling me i better go before she gets jealous and chops of my
head with the green desitiny sword or drop kicks me.
I would buy this movie but i would theatrically reccomend the new crouching tiger hidden dragon as the story is
way more developed, fautly yes but at least it wasnt like the original where we step into the movie theatre you
blink and then its over.
Rating:  -
I expected to hate this movie; thought it was overrated and full of cliches. However, it is sexy, full of action, thought-provoking, imaginative (smile), and puzzling by its ending. The soundtrack and editing are superb with good directing. The actors are all full of life. All-in-all, I wanted to have to face touch decisions as these characters; it manifests a meaningfull existence.
Rating: -
Considered by many to among the best foreign films ever to grace the Academy Awards. This movie consistently ranks in the highest categories of cinematic excellence. Crounching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a fantastic tale rich in story, beauty, and character.
Together, Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh provide a terrific performance which focuses on love, honor, and devotion. The tale is both simple and complex. The story revolves around a sword called the Green Destiny. This weapon's strength is as well known as its owner: the great warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat). When this sword is stolen by an anonymous skilled fighter, Li Mu Bai and Shu Lein (Michelle Yeoh) track down the thief only to discover that the rogue is actually the daughter of a high ranking Beijing official with a very unique past of her own. Overarching all of this is Li Mu Bai's quest to avenge his fallen master, killed at the hands of a wicked sorcerous named Jade Fox.
While the story does revolve around a sword: the Green Destiny, the focus is on the nature of power, the danger of reckless use of power, and the need for discipline to obtain true strength.
The cinematography sets a strong mood for the film with overtly fantastical martial arts that is both a joy to watch and is yet another way in which the film stresses it's main points. Points which are narrowed down fairly succintly in a quote by Li Mu Bai:
"No growth without assistance. No action without reaction. No desire without restraint"
A simply superb soundtrack overlays the film which is orchestrated by the great Yo Yo Mah. The music acts adds not only to the dramatic moments of the scene, but carries the viewer along during the more leisurely transitional moments of the film. I highly recommend not only the movie, but also this soundtrack.
I can not stress this enough: Buy this movie. The story is great, the environment is rich, the music is superb, and the acting is superb. You'll rarely find a gem that will shine brighter in your collection.
Rating:  -
It is impossible to know where to start my critique. Whether it is with the fact that this movie is on the top 100 foreign films of all time or whether to start with the large amount of crap that others have written. The editorial review is absolutely beyond me. A classic Greek tragedy? Where did you get that idea? I mean, the fact that they can fly is fine, in a fantasy fiction film, anything can happen. But this film had no storyline, the acting was minimal, and the martial arts that Ang Lee tried to present was ridiculous. In trying to make an artistic masterpiece, he sacrificed the entire beauty of martial arts. Its called martial arts because when someone has mastered it, the way they fight is a wonder and beautiful to watch. For instance, when you watch Jet Li's old movies done in Chinese, one can see the beauty of it all. The way his moves flow into one another and at the same time, he kicks another person's ass. This film was simply another foreign film that was brought to America and now people who think they know about movies say, "Do you know anything about Asian cinema? Well, there's this amazing film called 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.'" All of it is bs. The movie sucked and anyone who followed up this one with Ang Lee's other film "The Hulk" can see that this man needs some serious work on his editing and entire movie-making process. this was not a good film, the idea was stupid, the result was horrible. If you thought this was an amazing expression of Chinese cinema, think again. This is an insult to Chinese traditions and a step backward for Asian cinema.
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