CCC Reviews
Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Reviewed By: RyoKazama534
American films are so cliche. Full of elements that are so entirely predictable,
going to a film that is intellectually stimulating is a rarity. While the focus
on American films tends to be the actual visual process, through cinematography
and of course the cast, Chinese films (with the exception of shoestring martial
arts films) have always been able to create both a visually stunning piece with
the combination of a beautifully told story. While the camera activity in a
Chinese film may not be considered daring by American standards, it sets the
tone and brings out the story line of the movie.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon had everything an excellent piece of
cinema needed. Besides it's obvious pluses of a superb story, great cast and
beautiful scenery, as a martial arts film it highlighted the weapon disciplines
of the Chinese. Believe me, just because the weapons flop around and look like
they're made out of rubber, they are far from it. The grade of metal used in the
blades is extremely high, as is exemplified by the Green Destiny.
In the film, it brings together two of Hong-Kong's best film stars. Also, it's
not Jackie Chan nor Jet Li. Yun-Fat Chow (The Replacement Killers, Anna &
the King) stars in this film as the Wudan swordsman Li Mu Bai. Michelle Yeoh
(Supercop, Tomorrow Never Dies) plays Yu Shu Lien, the owner of a escort
service who hire themselves for convoys as protection. Two fresh faces also
appear in this film. Chen Chang plays Lo, a desert vagrant who's only wish is to
return to his love. Ziyi Zhang plays Jen Yu, the daughter of Governor Yu who is
due to marry into another aristocrat family.
Now the story is a beautiful one indeed. Li Mu Bai has returned from the Wudan
mountain in order to be rid of his personal sword, the Green Destiny. The
sword is over 400 years old and has seen many battles. He asks Yu Shu Lien to
give the sword to a friend, Sir Te (Sihung Lung). Li Mu Bai wishes to escape the
world of fighting and seeks a new life.
When Yu Shu Lien presents to the sword to Sir Te, it is stolen the night
following. The believed thief is a woman who was refused out of the Wudan
school, Jade Fox (Pei-pei Cheng). Jade Fox is the same warrior who killed Li Mu
Bai's master. However, it turns out that it was not stolen by Jade Fox, but by
her apprentice, a young woman who has perfectly emulated the Wudan fighting
style. When Li Mu Bai catches up to her the first time, he learns that although
she has great skill, she is undisciplined and needs harnessing, he wishes to
teach her, but she wants no part in it.
On the other side of the story, there are two parallel tales of love. As is
expected, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien both care a great deal for one another but
because of the death of Yu Shu Lien's fiancee, the two owe it to his memory to
respect his engagement to her. There is also the tale of Lo and Jen. However,
this part of the story is too important to give any details about.
Simply put, this film is amazing. One special effect that was predominantly used
in this film was the use of wire work. It was used for when the actors would
leap from rooftop to the ground creating a flying effect. While entirely
unrealistic, one gets used to it and it makes for some amazing fight scenes with
the use of the wires. Woo-ping Yuen did a superb job at this, his other claims
to fame were the choreography of The Matrix.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a must see. Although it's style may
take a while to get used to, one becomes easily attached to the characters and
the emotions they feel. It has something for everybody, a tale of love, honor,
justice and everything in between.Scores for Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon
RyoKazama534 -- 
-- "Simply phenomenal, superb story, acting, music, cinematography as well
as choreography."
IR64LAIF -- -- "Damn awesome! Had to see it twice."
*Pending scores from other reviewers*
Cast
Li Mu Bai - Yun-Fat Chow
Yu Shu Lien - Michelle Yeoh
Jen Yu - Ziyi Zhang
Lo - Chen Chang
Sir Te - Sihung Lung
Jade Fox - Pei-pei Cheng
Governor Yu - Fazeng Li
Bo - Xian Gao
Madam Yu - Yan Hai
Tsai - Deming Wang
May - Li Li
Auntie Wu - Su Ying Huang
Crew
Director - Ang Lee
Author - Du Lu Wang
Screenplay - Hui-Ling Wang
Screenplay - James Schamus
Screenplay - Kuo Jung Tsai
Producer - Li-Kong Hsu
Producer - William Kong
Producer - Ang Lee
Co-Producer - Ping Dong
Co-Producer - Quangang Zheng
Associate Producer - Po Chu Chui
Associate Producer - Phillip Lee
Executive Producer - David Linde
Executive Producer - James Schamus
Original Score - Tan Dun
Cinematography - Peter Pau
Film Editing - Tim Squyres
Design - Timmy Yip
Visual Effects - Jonathan Styrlund
Martial Arts Choreography - Woo-ping Yuen
Solo Cellist - Yo-Yo Ma
*Editor's Note - Typically, Chinese are referred to by their last
names more commonly. This is why Yun-Fat Chow is better known as Chow Yun-Fat.
This would mean that Li, in Li Mu Bai is the last name. The same applies to Yu
Shu Liean. However, this is not the case for Jen Yu. Her character's surname is
Yu. All cast and crew are referred to by first name.
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