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 As
far as movies go, the year 2000 could best be described as "the year
of the dragon" -- as in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Here's
a film that's so good -- so unique -- that even if it had been the
only movie to come out over the last 12 months, then it still would
have made the whole year worthwhile. Credit director Ang Lee for making
a movie that is sure to appeal to the masses in a way not seen since
the original Star Wars came out in 1977.
In 18th century
China, respected warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) has decided to
hang up his sword -- literally. He gives the 400-year-old Green
Dragon to Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) for safe keeping, but it is
stolen by Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), a warrior princess wannabe who is
just about to get married into the Chinese aristocracy. After witnessing
her impressive skills firsthand, Li Mu Bai offers to take Jen under
his wing as his protégé. There's just one small problem. Jen is
under the influence of Jade Fox (Pei-pei Cheng), a former associate
who once killed Li Mu Bai's master, and she will not rest until
the Green Dragon is hers and Li Mu Bai is dead.
Speaking of
the aforementioned Star Wars, that's the one film that Crouching
Tiger most closely resembles. The lightsaber is now a bona-fide
sword, the Force has been elevated to include gravity-defying martial
arts skills, and the whiny Luke Skywalker has been replaced by one
strong-willed, ass-kicking, sexy young princess.
Never mind
that the film is subtitled in Mandarin Chinese -- after the first
five minutes, you won't know the difference (besides, a foreign
film is a foreign film, so who cares what language it's in). Also,
the story is pretty basic, so even if you don't read the subtitles,
you'll still be able to follow the movie, thanks to its incredible
action, jaw-dropping stunts, and delicate performances.
The film blends
the good-vs.-evil, mentor-protégé aspect of Star Wars with
the groundbreaking fight choreography of The Matrix, yet
it still maintains a mystical, fairy tale-like quality that's all
it's own. The similarity is hardly surprising, of course, as both
films make use of the considerable talents of Hong Kong fight choreographer,
Woo-ping Yuen. While the whole concept of roof-leaping and pond-jumping
may seem too unbelievable to accept, once you see it, the movie
takes you out of your seat and doesn't put you back until long after
the credits roll.
What sets
the film apart from its predecessors is the power of its actual
story. The history between Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien makes their
undying passion for each other hard to ignore, but time, honor,
and tradition has made a more intimate relationship between them
all but impossible. Then there is the passion between Jen and Lo
(Chen Chang), a desert pirate who once kidnapped her. Despite being
from two completely different worlds, Jen must eventually choose
between the destiny that's been planned for her and the one that
stirs within her heart.
With one fell
swoop, Ang Lee has managed to completely re-define the martial arts
genre. Then again, he's been making his mark with almost every film
he's done over the last few years, including Sense and Sensibility,
The Ice Storm, and Ride with the Devil. With Crouching
Tiger, Lee stands alongside such maverick and visionary filmmakers
as Steven Soderbergh and David Fincher as one of the best directors
around today.
Pitching Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon as a martial arts film doesn't do it justice.
Come to think about it, no simple pitch could. It's more than just
a kung-fu movie -- it's kung-fantasy. It's a groundbreaking, breathtaking,
and romantic period piece that will no doubt stand the test of time.
Speaking of time, why are you wasting yours reading this review?
Do yourself a favor -- believe the hype, see it now, and treat yourself
to one of the most enjoyable and memorable moviegoing experiences
in years.
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