One
thing I hate about movies in general is all the hype. Sometimes you'll here so
much about a given movie before you've had a chance to see it, that expectations
are far too high. Such is the case with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I must
admit, I thoroughly enjoyed this film, but I think I was a bit too excited to
see it, because I don't feel it is the true classic that many others have claimed
it to be. I will say this. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a magical experience,
and it's the type of film that really takes the audience on a journey where they've
never been before.
There
is a lot going on in this picture, and it would be hard to divulge parts of the
plot without giving things away. So let me just say that Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon is a mesmerizing martial arts picture that also deals in heavy drama, passionate
romance, unrequited love, and heartbreaking tragedy.
The
film was directed by Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm), a film-maker
not usually associated with this type of work. Rather than make a standard action
picture, Lee has opted to make his free flowing, spectacularly choreographed fight
sequences secondary. This is a film loaded with character and heart. It's also
a picture that celebrates women. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon introduces us
to strong female characters, and that really sets it apart from other pictures
in this genre.
Couching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon is full of rich performances. Chow Yun Fat has never been
better as a warrior who seems to stumble a bit in the eyes of love. He can be
fierce, but at heart he is a gentle soul. Sadly, Fat hasn't had much success picking
decent American projects, but that's fine because movies like this prove that
the guy is not only terrific in martial arts, but one fine actor as well.
Michelle
Yeoh is also effective as a strong willed and very respectable woman in charge
of a sort of security agency. The film really belongs to the stunning Zhang Ziyi
as a young woman taking part in an arranged marriage. With all her complexities,
she's just a teenager rebelling against rules she doesn't believe in. Of course
true love plays a factor as well.
Holding
this epic fantasy together, is the considerable talent of Lee, his staff of writers,
and a slew of other technical advisors. This is a picture in which the audience
must just let go of reality and let the film-makers take them away. If you're
willing to do that, you will buy into this extraordinary adventure that features
fighting sequences that easily rival the ones in The Matrix.
With
it's breathtaking landscapes, flying warriors, and themes of love, this is an
original film very worth seeing. It's a picture that begs for a sequel. These
are characters I would really like to see more of echoing the feeling I had when
I first saw Star Wars. With Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ang Lee hasn't merely
paid homage to the martial arts picture. He's reinvented the genre. This is certainly
the highlight of his career and easily one of the best films of the year.
