Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Director: Ang Lee

Average user rating
1 review

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A rich, romantic take on the wuxia, China's heroic swordsman genre, from the eclectic Ang Lee. The first ten minutes or so offer dense exposition, introducing the legendary and righteous swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), his esteemed partner Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) and the wilful young aristocrat Jen (Zhang Ziyi), who enjoys a double life as a thief under the malign tutelage of her governess (Cheng Pei-Pei). They clash over the Green Destiny, a priceless sword which Jen steals as a mark of defiance. Yu gives chase in a brilliantly modulated set-piece across the roof-tops, the women defying gravity in exhilarating leaps and bounds. Once it takes flight the movie never touches the ground, spinning myriad duels of the body and spirit. Ang Lee has always been a director of finesse and fine feeling, but his touch is just as deft even as he extends his grasp to reveal the breathtaking vistas of mythic China, then relaxes enough to stage the demolition of a tavern with slapstick aplomb. Inventively choreographed by Yeun Wo-Ping - of The Matrix fame - the film imbues every look, every gesture with resonance and grace. Sexy and sublime, it's a feast for the senses and 100 per cent sheer cinema.

Author: TCh 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend
Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

User reviews of this film

  • Will Rothery said...
    Posted on Oct 03 2008 10:27 I loved the film. Since when has it not amused an Englishman to watch the Chinese kill each other over something as trivial as tempered steel? My favourite part is where he dies and she's in emotional agony, it's like torture - and as a serious fetish addict, nothing turns me on as much as pain. Hell, me and Max finished off a whole box of condoms thanks to this film.
    Full stars for arousal, hardcore fetishisms and the evident oriental feeling which made me hard as a prawn cracker!
    Report as inappropriate

What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Ang Lee talks 'Taking Woodstock'

Ang Lee talks 'Taking Woodstock'

Ang Lee talks to Tom Huddleston about his tale of the men behind history’s greatest music festival

Hippies who work for The Man

Hippies who work for The Man

To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations