Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

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Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Last Update: 3/4/01; 7:01:14 pm

By Nicola
This is a truly majestical film. As a person who has never seen beauty or skill in fighting I was pleasantly surprised.
The hand to hand, foot to foot combat is simply stunning. What is even more surprising is the strength of the characters and the emotional strength of the story.
The film is set in seventeenth century China, a world eloquently evoked by Ang Lee. Yet within this essentially misogynistic, masculine society Lee advances a revolutionary agenda of female equality. Most notably through headstrong Jen (Zhang Ziyi) who fears no man.
The theft of a sword known as the "green destiny" kick-starts the action. The robbery lures the blades legendary owner Li mu bai (Chow Yun Fat) out of retirement. Interrupting his slow courtship of his long-suffering admirer Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh).
The fights sequences are choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping, who made Keanu Reeves appear to fly in the Matrix. In 'Crouching Tiger' there is little to no use of computer effects or stunt doubles.
Lee manages to create a land independent of the laws of psychics. In one enchantingly imagined fight scene Li mu bai and Jen actually take to the treetops to fight.
The film has a stately and dignified feel to it and a sense of consequence that is rare of films of this genre. My one regret is that the films heroine comes to one of the two ends forever destined of strong independent women.
'Crouching Tiger' was a dream project for Ang Lee and one exquisitely executed.
Definitely a film worth watching.
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