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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yoeh
Director: Ang Lee
Genre: Drama
Year: 2000
Rating: 5 / 5

Unique? Original? Unparalleled? All of these words might be accurate, but none of them do justice to the true essence of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the critically acclaimed Ang Lee masterpiece that adorns nearly every "Top Ten" list. This mythical tale, set in an ancient world similar to our own, is a feast for the senses, from majestic landscapes to surreal airborne encounters. Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh may be the internationally recognized stars, but newcomer Ziyi Zhang proves she can hold her own with the screen veterans. These three propel a timeless story that weaves magic into the fabric of daily life and teaches us something about the nature of self.

Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) is one of the most respected warriors in the East, known for his mastery of Wudan skills as well as his wisdom. The wielder of Green Destiny, a sword possessing tremendous beauty but with a troubling past, Mu Bai sends longtime companion Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yoeh) to deliver the mighty weapon to Sir Te in the Forbidden City. This most wondrous of gifts is meant to be guarded by Sir Te, as Mu Bai is ready to begin pursuing the life that has past him by. Under the cover of darkness, Green Destiny is stolen by an aspiring warrior, forcing Mu Bai to undertake one final adventure. Possessing the sword does not, however, suggest a mastery of the virtues of a true warrior, as its new handler soon learns.

Fight choreographer Woo-ping Yuen might not be a household name in the United States, but he is the man responsible for the dazzling sequences in both The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Under his direction, the actors swoop down from the heavens with incredible ease, only to lift off again at a moment's notice. Exemplary wirework should be relatively invisible to the naked eye, and countless films have been derided for stunts that seem too far removed from reality. Crouching Tiger takes an entirely different tact, choosing to incorporate these flights of fancy into the architecture of its fantasy world.

Award-winning director Ang Lee pulls us into his visually enticing world, hooking us from the film's earliest moments. Scenes that leave the audience gaping are treated as a matter of course in his kingdom, one where traditional laws of gravity do not apply. One need merely ingest the scope of one soaring treetop duel to appreciate the breadth of Lee's vision. Fresh-faced Ziyi Zhang shines as the young female warrior-in-waiting, an obstinate woman whose talent is beyond reproach. Chow Yun-Fat exudes the class and elegance befitting an actor of his stature, conveying the exact amount of confidence and control expected of Li Mu Bai. All of Ang Lee's characters keep leading us back to the essence of Crouching Tiger, back to the notion of finding oneself. "A faithful heart makes wishes come true."

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG.
Running Time: 120 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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