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The Asian martial arts flick is a genre all of its own. You
know the story - over the top action, non existent plot, and
words that don't synchronise properly with the movements of
the actors' mouths. In Hong Kong, these movie make millions.
But they have never really been taken seriously in the Western
world. While the likes of Jackie Chan have managed to transplant
themselves into Hollywood, nobody has ever really been able
to take a genuine chop socky film and make it work outside of
Asia. Until now, that is. With Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,
Taiwanese director Ang Lee has created something remarkable
- a subtitled movie in Chinese that has enough substance to
appeal to even the most xenophobic of international audiences.
Chow Yun Fat (last seen with Jodie Foster in Anna and the King)
stars as legendary warrior Li Mu Bai who has become disillusioned
with his martial life and is ready to hang up his sword and
retire. He is also torn by his unrequited love for his companion
Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) and his desire to avenge the death
of his master at the hands of sworn enemy, the mysterious Jade
Fox. When his sword is stolen by a talented young upstart Jen
Yu (Zhang Ziyi), Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien find themselves up against
an adversary unlike any they have faced before.
One of things that struck me about this film was the similarities
to Star Wars. Jen is like a female version of Anakin Skywalker,
a prodigal talent whose emotions threaten to turn her to the
dark side of the Force, er, I mean Wudan (the mystical martial
art of which Li Mu Bai is a master). On reflection, this is
probably not so much a case of Ang Lee being inspired by Jedi
Knights, but more likely a result of Lee and George Lucas being
influenced by the same old mystical kung fu movies.
What does set this film above the level of your average hong
kong phooey production are the amazing fight sequences, choreographed
by Matrix genius Woo-ping Yuen. From a chase across the rooftops
of Peking to a fight in the heights of a bamboo forest to the
mother of all bar-room brawls, these are actions moves of a
kind that have never been seen before (outside of elaborate
video games, that is). Set all this against a stunning backdrop
and you have a visual feast that helps you forget that you are
reading subtitles and listening to a language that you do not
understand.
Director Ang Lee is noted for taking on a variety of challenges
- from his biting look at 70s suburban America (The Ice Storm)
to the period costume drama (Sense and Sensibility) and the
American Civil War (Ride With the Devil). Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon is no exception and is yet another demonstration of the
versatility and vision of this fascinating director. Not only
has he created an amazing martial arts movie, he has also managed
to tell a good story, and to say a few things about people's
desire for freedom and what that means for different people
(especially women).
My only real criticism of this film is that at times, things
get a little too mystical. For example, I struggle to understand
how jumping off a mountain can help anyone's wishes come true
(if so, Wile E. Coyote would eat Roadrunner Roast every evening).
A rare movie that should appeal to both hard core action junkie
and hardened movie critic alike.
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