Ang Lee has taken the martial arts movie out of the high kick genre, and into high art in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." This is the expressed opinion several movie critics, who rarely ever agree on anything.
And they just might have something. Director Ang's career has always been exciting as he moves between such different dramatic venues as "Ride with the Devil," Sense and Sensibility," and "The Ice Storm." His obsession with his childhood upbringing on sword-slashing Hong Kong epics is evident in this film, but with a difference.
"The film is a kind of dream of China that probably never existed except in by boyhood fantasies in Taiwan," Ang has said of the movie. He also said, "The film isn't crafted in a realistic style, but is choreographed as a kind of martial art."
Having said that, the film explores familial relationships, as have his previous films. Here we have the legendary martial arts guru Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) about to retire, and to pass on his sword, the Green Destiny, to a friend.
However, his talented, fight-crazy daughter Jen (Zhang Ziyi) slyly appropriates it first. Jen is far more interested in controlling her own destiny – with the help of the Green Destiny – than she is in her upcoming arranged marriage to a diplomat. This is just the beginning of travails to come.
There's no easy answer to the family dilemma here, no matter how many fortune cookies they break open.
Action choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, ("Matrix") stages fights, or dances, that flow over rooftops, rivers and bamboo trees with the action punctuated by cello solos from Yo Yo Ma, yes the real one. Well, could you ask for anything more?
Produced and directed by Lee, it is rated PG-13 for martial arts violence and some sexuality. It is written by five different writers, which usually is a sign to stay home with a good book, but, apparently, not here.
It starts Thursday at Cinema One.
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