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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Director Ang Lee Producer Li-Kong Hsu Cinematographer Peter Pau Music na

It`s tough not to get a kick out of this operatic movie. There`s fateful romance, legendary themes of honor and determination, strong heroines, and, oh yeah, that butt-kicking action. The first martial arts sequence hits the screen with a bolt of energy and magic. An ancient sword has been stolen from a respected family, and warrior Yu Shu Lien (Yeoh) pursues and fights a masked female thief. The fight moves, masterfully choreographed by The Matrix`s Woo-Ping Yuen, have the standard kung fu push-and-pull, but there`s a surge of surprise when the two women suddenly leap through the village, flying rooftop to rooftop. It seems they are disciples of an ancient training that has elevated them to this expert fighting level. Yu Shu understands it completely, as does her love interest, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat). But the evil Jade Fox, wanted for the crime, knows only the basics, unable to comprehend the higher concepts. She carries that frustration with her, as well as the badge of having killed Li Mu`s mentor. Lee`s stable of screenwriters has fleshed out a grand tale that does justice to the genre, but would have been helped by more clarity. The storylines are so splayed in the film`s middle that confusion is the occasional result, as the writing team (whose only credits are Lee movies, by the way) tries to overstuff a film that doesn`t need the padding. That being said, nearly everything else about the movie is a real wonder, especially the stupendous action sequences. The rigid, whip-fast martial arts moves reach an otherworldliness when the fighters begin leaping and flying. The smooth whirling of arms and legs brings a gorgeous fluidity to the scenes, and Lee`s well-timed camera moves create yet another level of motion. One of the film`s later centerpieces is a perfect reflection of its beauty - two of our heroes swordfight among the wispy treetops, soaring and climbing to the quiet strains of cellist Yo-Yo Ma. It combines an ancient style of combat, a futuristic feel, and a fateful story of love and need. If you can`t find something in this movie to set your heart aflutter, call the doctor.