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Kung-Fu + Love Story + Magic = Oscar
In all likelihood, no one is more surprised by the extreme success and critical acclaim that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has received than the director, Ang Lee.
Having directed the Ice Storm, Lee understands the essential elements of storytelling. But while Ice Storm is a tightly woven study of life and human relationships, Crouching Tiger mixes genres and misses the mark.
The fact that Crouching Tiger has recently received so much recognition only backs the argument that the year 2000 wasn’t exactly a banner year for filmmaking.
If you haven’t seen the movie – there are certain elements that the viewer is forced to accept – magic and myth are combined with a world of reality in bygone China.
For example, the main characters are great fighters and can fly through the air. That’s fine if there is some explanation – any explanation. But there isn’t and the viewer is merely supposed to accept that characters, that otherwise appear to be normal, are able to fly at will.
The fight scenes are incredibly choreographed and the film is shot beautifully, but that doesn’t hide a simple fact, that every other movie critic seems to be avoiding – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a kung-fu movie.
And, apparently, since there is a love story, it has transcended the genre and made its way into the annals of great movies – not true.
When the remake of The Fly came out in the ‘80s, audiences and critics marveled at the blend of horror, storytelling and special effects. The Fly still remains a very entertaining horror film, but it is not considered one of the best movies ever made.
In a few years, when the visual effects of Crouching Tiger are commonplace, this will not be considered a great film, but a good kung-fu movie.
[Update Note: Now that many years have passed from the writing of the article, I feel my final assessment above was very accurate ... a good kung-fu movie and nothing more.]
Brian Barsuglia
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Sacrilege. If you want to take umbrage with a Best Picture nominee from 2000 go with Erin Brockovich or Chocolat. CTHD was (and still is) a great movie. The cinematography is gorgeous, the direction strong, the casting excellent and it has a compelling story (tragic love stories, coming of age, student/master and other themes I'm sure I'm forgetting right now)...and it had loads of Kung Fu...not the other way around...which is why it transcended exploitation and met with such critical acclaim as it crossed into the American mainstream. Yes, there is an element of magical realism - but it is explained that only those trained by the WuDang are able to "fly"...speaking of Fly, that is an excellent movie (best remake ever? How is that not a list on this website?), one that also transcended it's genre and doesn't get the recognition that it should, but that seems to be Cronenberg's M.O. One day he'll get his due, maybe when he finally remakes Scanners with a budget, but I digress... Kung Fu purists may argue it's not all that original and maybe the a ton of movies that followed in its path makes it a bit dated in comparison, but it was a spectacle in the theater on the first viewing and when put in context I think it still stands as a great movie.
Mr. Roberts ... So kind of you to dig up this post and comment! Yes, the cinematography is "gorgeous," I agree. But I would sooner compare this to The Blair Witch Project. I was infatuated with both in the theater, but can't sit through either one on video. I fully agree about, the Fly. We'll have to do something about that. As for Erin Brockovich, sure, I'll give you that (no Kung Fu). But Chocolat? C'mon, that movie is fantastic! Alfred Molina is so wonderfully intense, and, if it had Kung Fu, it would have been the best Depp ever. -BB