Wo Hu Cang Long [Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon] (16 May 2000)
directed by Ang Lee
starring Yun-Fat Chow, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang, Chen Chang, Sihung Lung, Pei-pei Cheng, Fa Zeng Li, Xian Gao, Yan Hai, De Ming Wang
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MPAA rating: Studio: China Film Co., Columbia Pictures, EDKO Film Ltd., Good Machine, Sony Pictures, Zoom Hunt International Productions Script: Hui-Ling Wang, James Schamus, Kuo Jung Tsai Based on the book by: Du Lu Wang Music: Tan Dun Running time: 120 minutes Awards: 2001 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, 2001 Hugo Award for Dramatic Presentation Tags: Action; China; Drama; Foreign Film; Martial Arts; novel adaptation; poisons; swords Tactical strength: [9/10]
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for martial arts violence and some sexuality
For a abominable movie, I could write for pages and pages about all the problems, plot holes, script inconsistencies, and so forth. But, when a movie totally engages my attention every time I watch it, I have a hard time coming up with something to say. I have tried to watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with a critical eye, but the engaging story and the absolutely gorgeous cinematography always distract me from my critical view and by the end, I just sigh like you would after taking a bite of the most succulent cheesecake.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon deals with two love stories, and yet you would not call it a romance. The first story involves Li Mu Bai (Yun-Fat Chow) and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh). Master Li has fought for years as a mercenary, but he has decided to retire and turns his famous, four-hundred-year-old sword over to his friend Sir Te (Sihung Lung). Li has loved Shu Lien for years, but he has not married her out of respect for a dead friend who was once engaged to Shu Lien. Li also regrets retiring since he has yet to avenge the assassination of his master by the Jade Fox (Pei-pei Cheng). The Jade Fox stole a scecret martial arts manual from Li's master.
The second story deals with Jen Yu (Ziyi Zhang), the daughter of Governor Yu (Fa Zeng Li). The Yus have come to Beijing for Jen's arranged marriage to an aristocrat, but Jen has has a secret love affair with Luo Xiao Hu (Chen Chang), a desert bandit known as "Dark Cloud." The Jade Fox has a job with the Yus as Jen's governess, and Jen has studied the secret martial arts manual and become a superior martial arts practitioner. Jen doesn't want to marry the aristocrat and longs for the romantic life of a roaming mercenary. Jen steals the Green Destiny sword form Sir Te's house and she flees for the countryside. Master Li and Shu Lien pursue Jen seeking to recover the sword.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has much more going on than just this simple summary. Master Li figures out that Jade Fox serves in Governor Yu's household, and he tries to finally avenge his master's death. Shu Lien hopes that she and Li can settle down someplace together. Jen longs for the love of Dark Cloud, but her longing for a life of adventure seems to dominate her personality so much that she cannot allow herself permanent attachment to any man.
As director Ang Lee has demonstrated in several productions, he excels at creating a mood that permeates every scene of his films. Crouching Tiger, Hidder Dragon creates a forlorn mood of missed opportunities. As Master Li shows his easy martial arts superiority over Jen, you can see boredom in his face. In spite of his ability to seemingly defeat any foe, he no longer wants to fight. Although Jen hasn't yet lived through years of fighting, you get a sense that following the path she has chosen will lead her to the same emotional place as Li and Shu Lien.
The martial arts scenes display the choreography of Yuen Wo-Ping, who lists The Matrix as one of his works. The fighters in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon literally walk up walls, fly over rooftops, and conduct battles among the leaves at the tops of tall stalks of bamboo. The fight sequences proceed with the beauty and elegance of a dance. Yet, in spite of the fabulous martial arts work, you really enjoy the film for the story and especially the masterfully created melancholy mood.
