The filming required an immense effort from all involved. Chow and Yeoh had to learn to speak Mandarin, which Lee insisted on using instead of Cantonese to achieve a more classic, lyrical feel. The astonishing battles between Jen (Zhang) and Yu Shu Lien (Yeoh) on the rooftops and Jen and Li Mu Bai (Chow) atop the branches of bamboo trees required weeks of excruciating wire and harness work (which in turn required meticulous "digital wire removal"). But the result is a seamless blend of action, romance, and social commentary in a populist film that, like its young star Zhang, soars with balletic grace and dignity.--Eugene Wei

A Masterpiece
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is simply a masterpiece. A brilliant film with great performances by its stars, Michelle Yeoh, Chow yun fat, and especially Zhang Ziyi. Director Ang Lee along with his choreographer tell this epic story in a stunning and creative visual way that makes this film one of the greatest ever made. The action scenes in this film are jaw dropping, and are unmatched by any action film ever made. Along with the action, is a great story and great characters that reflect influences from Lord of the Rings, and parallel the Jedi of the Star Wars trilogy, but remain consistent with the eastern culture and philosophy which permeates throughout the story. In fact, the main characters, especially Jen, portrayed by the talented Zhang Ziyi , seem to question that philosophy and culture throughout the film, almost rebelling against it. This is foreshadowed in the beginning of the film when Yun-fat's character describes how his meditation leads him to a place of sorrow instead of enlightenment. In a later scene, Yeoh 's character questions the buddhist teaching of Fat's character in relation to their suppressed love, pointing out the touch of her hand is real,not an illusion, even though it is of this world. However it is also the discipline of this eastern spirituality that gives these knights their power. the main character Jen, abuses this power, along with the power given to her when she posesses the Green Destiny, a magical and powerful sword, owned by the wizard -like, or jedi- like, character portrayed by Chow Yun-Fat. The Green Destiny, much like the ring of power in lord of the rings, or the force in Star Wars, becomes a power that threatens to consume Jen. Throughout the film , Jen rebels against the traditions of the easten culture and philosophy. Even during the action scenes, as Chow Yun-Fat's character scolds her, she responds by telling him to stop talking like a monk and fight. Her rebellion is also reflected in her love for a barbarian that lives in the desert. Jen's rebellion is an extreme one, however, that leads to such deep despair, that it leaves the viewer to question if even the true love she found in the desert can save her. This movie has everything one wants in an epic, great story, acting, cinematography, directing, score. This film should win an Oscar for Best Picture... Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is truly a great film.

But enough with the plot. CTHD features some of the best (if not THE best) fights ever seen. As the characters effortlessly bound across the screen on rooftops and treetops to escape their enemy or fight passionately in face-to-face. The movie is of the "martial arts fantasy" genre, meaning that characters defy the laws of gravity and physics with ease. This accentuates their story, but never overtakes it. These epic battles are an expression of their strong emotions and the burden they feel for peace. The fights include one actor against an entire bar, a chase through the rooftops followed by some insane hand-to-hand combat, and one fight involving so many weapons that you'll watch it over and over again.

If you don't like subtitles the DVD offers an option for dubbed playback, but I enjoy it better reading the text.

Buy this movie. Now. Then have some friends over and take in "one of the greatest movies ever made."

I think this is the movie that would cross the gender boundaries in what movie you want to watch some night. Going for the stereo-typical route: Women want romance... Guys want action. This movie has both! There should be more movies in the future made like this. It'll make those movie nights at home much better varied in selection.

I was surprised to find out that this is Chow Yun-Fat's first martial arts film. I'm not much of a foreign film buff, but I figured that most Asian action film stars started off in either martial arts films or gun-based action films and getting to do both as they grew as an actor.

I've only seen a few films with Michelle Yeoh (Crouchin Tiger, SuperCop 2, a James bond film). I just love watching her kick butt and have a passionate emotional side to her acting.

And since Amazon.com failed to add her to the "Cast list".. Zhang Ziyi (say it like it's spelled... there you go!) is a really sexy actress. I swear she's gonna do some very awesome films in English once she's learned the language a bit more. I think everyone should keep an eye out for her films. It's a shame about how her character in Rush Hour2 came to a conclusion. I would be nice to have some hope she'll come back and beat down on Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan some more.

I just love martial arts films. I used to watch the horrid, but entertaining martial arts films on the USA Network when they had a "Kung-Fu Theatre" type show. I wish they'd bring it back. I haven't gotten to see the other movies Ang Lee has done, but after watching this masterpiece, I'm going to go rent some other movies directed by him.

Putting in this DVD the first time was funny. The standard language is Mandarin/Chinese with English Subtitles. I'm sorry, but I prefer the voice overs in english with no subtitles. One day when I've learned more than one language, or when I'm bored.. I'll put it on Mandarin/Chinese with no subtitles. Probably even teach me to speak the language. heh.

My other little problem was the wire work. Could have done a bit more in fluid movements of the actors as they're being pulled around on the wires. The kicking in the air like you're running on it isn't all that great to see. The actors should go from a crouched position to a entended jump pose, then on the way to a solid object to "bounce" or land on, have some sense of gravity and weight to the landings. The way it is in the movie, it's more like a fighting game than something that's more real.

This title is a must for anyone who owns a DVD player. It's a sad thing if you don't have this in your collection. Everyone should get this movie so that their collection will grow as scarily large as my own. (as of Nov 2001- 45 DVD movies)

"If you don't have one, get one!" - Tom Hanks, Toy Story 1. So go buy this!!

Review this book