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Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
2000
Known for making films about familial relationships, director Ang Lee surprised everyone with his martial arts epic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Based on a novel by Wang Du Lu, CROUCHING TIGER starts with the revenge plot common in the wuxia stories that Lee loved as a child, then adds a feminist twist. Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun .. Read more
| Starring | Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen |
|---|---|
| Director | Ang Lee |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, World Cinema |
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Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Known for making films about familial relationships, director Ang Lee surprised everyone with his martial arts epic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Based on a novel by Wang Du Lu, CROUCHING TIGER starts with the revenge plot common in the wuxia stories that Lee loved as a child, then adds a feminist twist. Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) is a legendary martial artist who has decided to pass on his sword, the Green Destiny, to a friend. Soon afterward, the sword is stolen by a masked female, setting in motion events that test the bonds of family, love, duty, and sisterhood. Chow appears with three generations of female stars: Cheng Pei Pei, a 1960s action heroine; Michelle Yeoh, the beauty queen turned 1980s action goddess; and newcomer Zhang Ziyi, who smolders as the princess who wants more than domestic tranquillity. Famed action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping (THE MATRIX) stages jaw-dropping zero-G fights across rooftops, rivers, and bamboo trees, while Yo-Yo Ma punctuates the fisticuffs with dramatic cello solos. Described by Lee as "SENSE AND SENSIBILITY with martial arts," CROUCHING TIGER recalls the best wuxia films of the 1960s and pushes the genre in new directions.
| Starring | Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Sihung Lung, Cheng Pei-Pei, Fazeng Li, Xian Gao |
|---|---|
| Director | Ang Lee |
| Studio | COLUMBIA TRI-STAR HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins Blu-ray: 2 hrs |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 must-see movies |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, World Cinema |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Dubbed | English |
| Subtitles | English, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Hindi, Hebrew, Bulgarian, Greek, Arabic, Portuguese |
| Released | DVD: 18 Jun 2001 Blu-ray: 06 Jul 2009 Production year: 2000 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Based on the novel by Wang Du Lu and exhibiting cinematic influences ranging from John Ford and Akira Kurosawa to The Matrix, this handsome period action romance from director Ang Lee put the art back into martial arts. Those familiar with the works of King Hu and Tsui Hark will revel in the unhurried way he reworks the conventions of the genre to explore the perennial themes of love and loyalty, duty and sacrifice. But Lee also combines brilliant stunt work with special effects to create such memorable sequences as the rooftop pursuit and the treetop battle. Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh excel as the warriors seeking the stolen sword of Green Destiny, but the most electrifying performance is Zhang Ziyi's teenage thief.
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"...This Cannes/New York Film Festival favorite has it all, starting with three towering central characters....[Ang Lee's film] offers melodically choreographed action scenes by THE MATRIX's Yuen Wo-Ping, Oscar-caliber photography by Peter Pau and the pleasure of seeing [Chow Yun Fat] in his most appealing performance yet..." -- 4 out of 4 stars
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Most helpful member's review
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30 out of 46 people found this review helpful
Ma ma, ho ho
I have to agree with my Chinese friend's opinions about this film; it is only so so (ma ma, ho ho; part horse/part pig); horses can gallop, but pigs can't fly. Despite an excellent cast and some stunning scenery, at less than two hours this still felt like a long film. The fights seemed to go on forever and the wire work was bad. This film was not a success in Asia, they had seen it all done better before. Praised by Western critics and viewers, this is a crossover film that works for some and not for others. It took me three times to get to the end without falling asleep. As with Zhang Ziyi, this is a western success that is not well regarded in Asia. If you think a cross between a pig and a horse would be a good thing rent this.
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- Waterboy
- Posted 11 Apr 2007 02:56
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Most recent members' review
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6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
A true legend
I have always considered Asian cinema to only be good for action. It was upon watching this movie in cinema that I realised how woefully wrong I was.
This movie oozes class from opening to end. Most important is the enthralling and intricate plot, drawing you into the lives of the characters. Backed up by the amazing sound track composed by Yo Yo Ma and Tan Dun, who easily rival John Williams in emotion and depth.
The acting from all is better than flawless, making it all too easy to forget you are watching a movie (something that is lost if you put it on English dubbing). The martial arts, especially the legendary blade dual between Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi is unsurpassed by any sword fight seen in cinema to date.
One of my greatest grievances is how people always put this movie down because of how 'unrealistically' the characters effortlessly float in the air when they jump. Well duh! it's a Chinese fantasy. Gliding is a staple in many a Chinese fantasy, just as how every tangible thing explodes in Hollywood (which is equally unrealistic).
In closing, please note how all Eastern films are now rated against Crouching Tiger (even 5 years onwards). This in itself testifies to the greatness of this cinematic legend. Easily my favourite film of all time (just in case you didn't notice). -
News and features
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The Life of Pi set to be adapted by Ang Lee
- 18 Feb 2009
Yann Martel's bestselling novel The Life of Pi is set to be made into a film. According to reports, Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, famous for Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is in talks to adapt the Booker Prize-winning novel. Earlier reports suggested that M Night Shyamalan had been set to write and direct the movie. Lee is currently working on Taking Woodstock, starring Emile Hirsch and Demetri Martin. The novel, which tells the story of a boy cast adrift on the ocean... Read more
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Known for making films about familial relationships, director Ang Lee surprised everyone with his martial arts epic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Based on a novel by Wang Du Lu, CROUCHING TIGER ... -
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Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Known for making films about familial relationships, director Ang Lee surprised everyone with his martial arts epic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Based on a novel by Wang Du Lu, CROUCHING TIGER starts with the revenge plot common in the wuxia stories that Lee loved as a child, then adds a ...
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