Release Date: 6 July, 2000
What's It About: Li Mu Bai, once a master Wudang swordsman, whose master was killed by an assassin, sends his sword as a gift to a friend, but it is stolen by a masked thief. He and an acquaintance of his former life work together to unravel the perpetrator, but the past comes back to haunt them both and suddenly Mu Bai is seeking revenge for his master's murder. The film's title refers to masters who are hidden from sight, referring to many of the characters in the film, who were warriors in younger age or who operate from behind the scenes.
The Good: This film dazzles in all the ways one can expect it to - the fight scenes are fast-paced and exciting, and the camera movements are smooth and do not get lost in the action, like how many western action shots do. The drama and the plot twists aren't forced and the character motivations feel justified. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the final scene of the film is definitely a stand-out. The soundtrack is also excellent, with much of it performed on cello by Yo-Yo Ma (Track 5 - "Silk Road", stands out).
The Bad: If you aren't used to Wuxia films, then this may put you off. Characters take off into the air and fly in amongst the tree canopies, whipping swords out at one another in what looks like a heavily choreographed fight. If you're a Chinese-language viewer, you may not like that all the primary characters have different accents from one another, which can break the immersion for those who are sensitive to it.
Best Performance: Zhang Ziyi as the warrior Jen Yu. Although she is not the protagonist of the film, most of the film is actually about her and her life as a warrior and as a woman. She sees the most development over the course of the film, and we see her from two perspectives: first as an aristocratic lady who is arranged to be married, and second as a thrill-seeking adventurer and warrior who submits to no one but those she herself chooses. Ultimately, this precociousness leads to friction with those around her, and more than one to their deaths.
Should I Watch It: Flashy and melodramatic, Crouching Tiger opened the west up to the Chinese martial arts film in a big way. Numerous Chinese wuxia productions came into prominence in the following years, many marketed specifically for the west. However, this film stands above them all, because it focuses on individual human dramas and doesn't try to integrate large armies for more spectacular action. There's alot of subtle themes at play in this film, all coming out through the character interactions, and whilst the film can be enjoyed at face value for all its aesthetic qualities, it stands out even more if you can see deeper into how all the themes tie together.
Post-Credits Scene: No
Similar Films: Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004), Red Cliff (2008)
Trailer: 