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Chow
Yun Fat stars as Liu Mu Bai a legendary kung-fu master who's sword
(the 400 year old 'Green Destiny') is stolen. Its theft sets off
a complex interaction between a sword-wielding warrior, his ally
and a bandit. Their common nemesis is a creepy and lethal outcast
named Jade Fox. Who turns out to be more lethal than she first seems.
Ang Lee's epic retelling of an ancient Chinese fable will be many
Westerners first look into the world of Hong Kong cinema. Dazzlingly
shot, 'Crouching Tiger' is definitely a film worth seeing and is
a fairly accurate spokesperson for the genre. Some of the cinematography
is simply breathtaking, such as Chow Yun Fat's aerial chase through
the bamboo forest. The acting is also uniformly good with a career
best performance from Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi (who bravely
takes the lead role and runs with it). This film also contains a
strong feminist subtext as almost all of the fighting features one
of the female characters. Also Chow Yun Fat's character is the most
flawed and he gives quite a restrained and sad performance as an
aging kung-fu master who realises he has wasted his life by giving
too much time to his martial arts training and not being true to
his feelings. This film is more squarely aimed at a Western audience
(where it has received the most praise) and this is where a few
minor flaws lie. The script is frequently weighed down by humorless
discussions of Taoist philosophy, and although the film features
some of the best martial arts action seen on screen in recent years
it relies a little too heavily on wirework, which might be a little
hard for some viewers to accept. However, Ang Lee has made a very
accomplished film here which deserves the Oscars recognition that
it received. It perfectly encapsulates many of the genres traits
and shows off the skills of everyone involved to great effect.
Despite a few minor flaws this is definitely one of the best kung
fu films to be produced in recent memory. Containing a perfect balance
of film technique, acting, cinematography, action and direction
it is a perfect ambassador for the genre and deserves all the praise
that has been afforded to it. Chow Yun Fat as a kung fu master...
and he pulls it off too!
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