Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ***** (2000, Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh) – Classic Movie Review 1326

Director Ang Lee’s dazzling, Oscar-winning 2000 epic martial-arts thriller is an instant modern classic. After a couple of box-office failures in America, this glorious-looking Chinese movie reconnected the director with a wide public in a sweet surprise success worldwide as the highest grossing foreign film in many countries, including America and the UK. It won the 2001 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

In the thrilling story based on the fourth novel in the Crane Iron Pentalogy by Wang Dulu, a legendary Chinese warrior resolves to live a life of peace — until his weapon is stolen by a thief in the night. Chow Yun-Fat (as Li Mu Bai), Michelle Yeoh (as Yu Shu Lien), Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen are the alluring, iconic stars, giving the most memorable of performances.

Both exciting and haunting, it’s a captivating, visually stunning movie. Peter Pau’s cinematography is continuously breath-taking and Tim Yip’s art direction and costumes are gorgeous. The amazing, gravity-defying martial arts and action sequences are choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping. The lovely soulful score is composed by Tan Dun and performed by Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai National Orchestra and Shanghai Percussion Ensemble. It features cello solos played by Yo-Yo Ma.

Made on a low $17million budget, with Chinese dialogue in Mandarin and English subtitles, it grossed $213.5 million, including $128million in the United States, becoming the highest-grossing foreign language film in American history.

The winner of more than 40 awards, it was nominated in 10 categories at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It ended up winning Best Foreign Language Film (Taiwan) and three technical awards, Best Art Direction (Tim Yip), Best Original Score (Tan Dun) and Best Cinematography (Peter Pau). It also won four BAFTAs and two Golden Globes, one for Best Foreign Film.

In 1999, Li-Kong Hsu, Lee’s long-term partner and supporter, invited him to make a movie based on the traditional Chinese wuxia (martial arts and chivalry) genre. Happy to fulfil a childhood dream, Lee assembled a team from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and mainland China.

Finally a sequel is on its way in 2015. Crouching Dragon Hidden Tiger II – The Green Destiny will be directed by Yuen Wo Ping, the legendary fight choreographer responsible for the high-wire action work in the original film. Donnie Yen stars as Silent Wolf and Michelle Yeoh reprises her role as Yu Shu Lien. The screenplay is based on Iron Knight, Silver Vase, the fifth novel in the Crane Iron Pentalogy by Wang Dulu.