Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Reviews

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.

Fantastic

A fine movie, re-awakening western interest in Chinese cinema. It has been sad to watch the great stars of Chinese / HK / Taiwanese cinema \'graduate\' to the dizzy heights of Hollywood with some pretty lame movies (Anna and the King -Chow Yun Fat/ Romeo Must Die and Lethal Weapon 4 - Jet Li/ Mission Impossible 2 -John Woo etc.) when all their best stuff was made in their native countries. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon proves that you don\'t need the largest of budgets or an American influence to produce what is a masterful piece of cinema. Michelle Yeoh returns to the martial artistry she so masterfully demonstrated in Wing Chun and age, in my opinion, has smiled kindly on her. Chow Yun Fat puts on a performance not seen since God of Gamblers and Hard Boiled, powerful stares, poetic script, utterly captivating. If you\'re a fan of Asian cinema then this is a classic to add to your collection. If you\'re new to the genre then it\'s a great starting block, incorporating all the best themes, music and styles headed by two of the most revered and respected Hong Kong Actors. If you liked this, you might want to rent/buy - Once Upon a Time in China; Legend of the Fist; Moon Warriors and A Chinese Ghost Story.

The best film of the year 2000

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was the best film of the year 2000 and won four Oscars and four BAFTAs. Directed by Ang Lee, this film has three lead female characters - Yu Shu Lien played by Michelle Yeoh, Jen Yu played by Zhang ZiYi and Jade Fox played by Cheng Pei Pei, as well as the world famous Chow Yun-Fat as Li Mu Bai.

Crouching Tiger contains amazing Kung Fu and sword fights involving the four main characters and many fights involving sub characters as well. These fights were choreographed by the world's best martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo Ping. Yuen Wo Ping is also responsible for choreographing the fights in such movies as the Matrix and Fist of Legend.

Crouching Tiger is based in the Kung Fu world of ancient China, warriors trained in Wudan are able to fly and float in the air leading to walking on water, fights in the tree tops and chases up walls and over roof tops. The film contains everything Good vs. Evil, Love, hate, envy, jealously, revenge, adventure, fantasy, masters and their students, all based in different beautiful areas of China.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an absolutely brilliant film and in my opinion it is best to listen to the Mandarin soundtrack with English subtitles rather than listening to dubbed track. I gave Crouching Tiger 10/10.

Yawwwwwnnnnn

After the hype I just had to see this film and have never been so disappointed with a movie before.

It's so slow and folk float about as if their on the moon when they jump. Boring, boring and boring!

Magical realism?

Or so they say. Frankly, despite the beautiful filming and otherwise excellent performances, the silly trickery and predictable fight scenes totally ruined this for me.

A pity as it really is potentially much more than a martial arts movie, but there you go.

Absolute drivel, dont pan to the hype, its like a bad puppet show, there's that many strings oin the actors!

Quite simply: A MASTERPIECE

Not sure where these guys get their ratings from because this deserves 5 stars not the measly 3.5 they've awarded it.(philistines?)

Having been completly captivated by Gladiator, I was horrified when Crouching Tiger snaffled Oscars from it. Then I watched it and understood completely, wishing I had seen it in the cinema.

This is a film predominantly about romance; not soppy shmaltzty boy fancies/gets girl stuff, but about deep emotion and what can happen when culture,class and circumstance get in the way.

The cimematography is staggering and the fight scenes are pure poetry in motion. The violence has equal impact and is as physical as Gladiator, but it does so without the blood and gore, necessary in Scott's work.

To my mind this is not a film in the usual 'East Asian' genre, this is a drama set in china, with Chinese characters and is in a class all of it's own, which I supect will never be repeated.

The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and both the film and the music will stay in your mind long after the credits have rolled.

If I have a criticism it is in the voice-overs which grate at first but you soon forget it as the film sucks you in.

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).

You may have heard of it.

The only subtitled movie I have ever been to the cinema to see and quite possibly the movie which awakened my passion for Eastern cinema. My girlfriend probably hates it then.

Mixing martial arts action with a period drama actually works a whole lot better then it has any right too. The action choreography is exceptional, over the top and yet beautifully realised by Yuen Wo-ping. Ang Lee brings his period piece sensibilities to proceedings and leaves you with an experience which, at the time atleast, was a wake up call to Western cinema.

Now of course it stands up as a quite magnificent movie with excellent lead performances by Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat and Zhang Ziyi. The two girls battling it out in one of my favourite action scenes of all time. The ending feels a little rushed and the climatic battle doesn't quite match up to the ones that went before it but Crouching Tiger is still one of my favourite Eastern movies of all time and it's not hard to see why.

Hyped

I had heard a lot about this film and had it selected as a number 1 choice. The photography was excellent and the acting very good but what a bizarre story. I have to admit that after the slow and obscure start I started to loose interest and never made it through the last 20 minutes. I think its fair to say it wasn't my cup of tea