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I was surprised find that over four months after it's first release the 7:15 Sunday evening screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was near enough full, an excellent demonstration of how a quality film can bypass the Hollywood media machine and become successful on it's own merit and good old word of mouth. Crouching Tiger? is as good as everyone says it is and better. Taking one of the most popular and yet critically un-acclaimed genres (the martial arts movie), as it's basis; Crouching tiger? investigates the full spectrum of human emotions, spirit and intelligence and then combines this with a cracking yarn, amazing effects and Die Hard beating set pieces to create a modern epic, that has pretty much guaranteed it's classic status already.
The Story follows Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) a renowned warrior who, in an attempt to leave the world of violence gives his sword "the green destiny" to a friend; only for it to be stolen by an unknown, formidable and beautiful fighter Jen (Zhang Ziyi), a member of a respectable family. Li Mu Bai's warrior companion and object of repressed love Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) attempts with Li Mu Bai to return the green destiny without success, leaving the talented but "uncontrolled" Jen on the loose.
The choreography of the fight scenes is quite stunning. A credit to the Actors, Director and the Choreographer (Yuen Wo Ping, responsible for the wall walking in the Matrix). One sequence of destruction by Jen has to be the most beautifully structured trashing of a restaurant that I'll ever see. The warriors ability to fly short distances within fights (a feature of Chinese legends) adds grace and an ethereal quality to the fight scenes.
Ang Lee's control of the overall pace and aesthetic is immaculate. Taking classic aspects of Chinese culture and imagery, weaving an incredibly subtle feel and texture to the narrative progression. The overall message is complex and not on the simple Kung Fu Movie level, where vengeance, honour and strength prevail. Crouching Tiger? is a love story full of regret and sadness and at the same time a martial arts purist's film; showing incredible control, meditation and concentration. All of this is carried off without a glitch, with humour when required and yet totally tragic in the climax.