| Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon |
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| Rating: Fair Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics MPAA Rating: PG-13 U.S. Release Date: December 8th, 2000 (limited), December 22nd, 2000 (wide), January 12th, 2001 (wider). Running Length: 2 hours Genre: Adventure, Action, Foreign In Mandarin with English subtitles Director: Ang Lee Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Cheng Pei-pei and Chang Chen. |
| Plot: Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) is a grizzled warrior who desperately wants to end his lifestyle and move on. He gives his great jade sword, "The Green Destiny," to a respected elder. He hopes to somehow make a future with his love Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) who loves him also. However, since Yu Shu Lien was long ago married to Li Mu Bai's brother they have not felt it respectful to have a relationship. Meanwhile, Li Mu Bai's sword is stolen by the Jade Fox and her young disciple. The Jade Fox is a treacherous old woman who killed Li Mu Bai's master long ago. Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien attempt to find and stop the Jade Fox and her impressive young disciple, but find the young disciple to be more than they barganed for. |
| Critique: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon poses as an action, adventure film, and although it supplies some action there is no adventure. It has its moments where its cinematography, score and even acting shine independently. Never do all these characteristics work together effectively. Additionally, the action sequences which may be Crouching Tiger's best quality actually work against it. There is too much fighting, and the battles take place where more character development and discussion should take place. Also, the fight scenes which are crafted by Yuen Wo-Ping, who did the Matrix although smooth and sometimes awe-inspiring are also devoid of passion. That is probably more the director's fault though than it is Wo-Ping's responsibility. Also, Lee does not add enough interesting details to his characters and their plights. He makes them seem distant. The acting is pretty solid, although the roles are not very demanding. In fact, the only role from which the screenplay demands any depth whatsoever comes from the totally unlikable little brat played by Zhang Ziyi. Nonetheless, I will return to the main flaw in Crouching Tiger, which is its lack of adventure. In a grand adventure tale which 'Tiger,' surely attempts to be there should be an extravagant ride in which we are pulled along with tremendous speed and/or grace. Crouching Tiger has none of that, and nothing important really happens as the film moves along. The few stories the screenwriter even attempted to put in seem unorganized, and unfocused. In conclusion Crouching Tiger has its moments of beauty where its fascinating cinematography and neat stunts deliver. However, in terms of storytelling it is a weak adventure with no place to go, and narratives that are everywhere, and not under control. review by supernothingman |
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