Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Starring: Yun-Fat Chow, Michelle Yeow, Pei-Pei Cheng, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen-Lo

Directed by Ang Lee

Edited by Tim Squyres

Screenplay by Hui-Ling Wang, James Schamus, Kao Jung Tsai

Music by Tan Dun (performed by Yo-Yo-Ma)

Cinematography by Peter Pah

Fight Choreography by Woo-Ping

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a film that defies categorisation. Perhaps, it is best to use director Ang Lee's own words; "It is a dream. A dream of a China that probably never existed." Using a 70 year old Chinese "pulp fiction" novel, Lee has created a visual masterpiece that combines romance, action, fantasy and some of the best martial arts fights ever filmed. He weaves this tale with a seemingly effortless approach that immediately places the viewer into his cinematic poem. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has a fluidity that flows from edge of the seat action to stunning visuals while sustaining the dreamlike narrative. This is helped by Peter Pah's lush cinematography and Tan Dun's haunting, score exquisitely performed by Yo-Yo-Ma.

From the opening frames we are transported to 19th Century China. A time when great mystical warriors roamed the land fighting evil forces while defying the natural laws of gravity, time and space. Yun Fat Chow stars as Li Mu Bai, a legendary warrior who is about to retire his 400-year-old sword, Green Destiny, and seek retirement in deep meditation. He gives the sword to his life long friend, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeow), another great warrior whom he has secretly loved for years. All hell breaks loose when a beautiful young princess warrior, Jen Yu (Ziyi Zhang), steals the magic sword. The lovely Jen Yu has come under the influence of the evil Jade Fox (Pei-Pei Cheng), Bai's mortal enemy. Well, you get the idea.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was a risky movie for Ang. He added to the risk when he opted to do the film in Mandarin Chinese as opposed to Cantonese, the language spoken in Hong Kong, home of Martial Arts films. The story alone was predicted to be a laughable flop. Under less skilled hands, it could have easily been doomed. Using three generations of female martial arts stars, fight choreographer, Woo-Ping (Drunken Master) and the considerable talents of cinematographer Pah and editor Tim Squyres, Ang has pulled off a cinematic triumph. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is not only a critical success but, in it's limited art house showings in Los Angeles, it has been making more money per screen than many of Hollywood's Christmas blockbusters. It is assured Best Foreign Film of the Year, yet it may just qualify as Best Picture.

Words will not justify this film, for it is a pure visual experience. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a celebration of filmmaking. It is easy for us to forget why we go to films. Ang Lee has left us an indelible reminder.

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