Has anyone else seen CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON?

This film should be the front-running candidate for KnifeKnut film of the new millenium. It's the newest film by Ang Lee and, IMO, his very best. Starring Chow-Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and the up-and-coming very spunky Zhang Zi Yi. Also a legitimate candidate for Oscar Best Film. If it's screening in your area, then you are obliged to check it out. Otherwise, you're simply a poseur KnifeKnut
smile.gif


Info at:

www.crouchingtiger.com

FYI --
Glen

[This message has been edited by storyville (edited 01-21-2001).]
 
Going to see it Thursday, I'm a martial artist as well as a knifenut so I can't wait!
smile.gif
 
That was one cool movie! Nice fight scenes, and well-choreographed weapons fighting scenes. It also had a great plot, which sets it apart from most martial art movies. (well kinda)
 
Hoss

Hoss

Joined
Mar 15, 1999
Messages
536
Yeah, I loved that film. It was like an oriental version of "The Iron Mistress".

The whole plot revolves around a sword.

The other thing that I thought was great about the movie was that it kept you enthralled and entertained for 2 hours and there was not one nude scene or swear word uttered. Not that I'm some prude but that was suprisingly fresh for this day and age.

------------------
"Well we'd like to stand around and talk but we have to go sit in the lobby and wait for the limo"
 
It might be only me, but I think posts like this which are primarily concerned with a subject other than knives, would be more properly put on the community forum. Walt
 
No no Walt. You've got to check out this movie. One of the main characters is Chow Yun Fat's 400-year-old sword named The Green Destiny. It's the only one like it in existence--the swordmakers' art is long since lost--and it's made out of something even better than Talonite. When it's pulled from its sheath it sings like a wet fingertip on the rim of a wineglass. Great stuff!
 
The film is beautifully shot, and of course the plot revolving around the Green Destiny sword is very well presented. It is based on a wu-xia (martial knight, or swordsman) novel. These kinds of stories are very common in Chinese swordsman novels, and in the past many similar swordplay movies have been shot (mostly by Hong Kong's Shaw Brothers studios), but none with the budget or cinematography of Crouching Tiger.

Another interesting fact is that neither Chow Yun-Fat nor Michelle Yeoh are real martial artists. Chow had done similar roles in the past, so he only prepared 2 weeks for this one. And Michelle Yeoh was actually training to be a dancer but curtailed by a back injury, so she got into films and learned enough MA for the movies. (in a few shots, as in the weapons fight, she was doubled by a Wushu player). Zhang Zi-Yi appears to have trained the modern, non-combative standardized Wushu of mainland China. I thought Chow and Yeoh were more convincing, however, in their fight scenes, but the true gist of the movie deals with true (not superficial) love and honor.
Jim
 
James Y, where is the source that Yeoh had a stunt double do some of the work? As far as I know, she does all her own stunts unless injury or insurance agents prevent her. She did indeed tear a ligament filming the movie, but I can't find any information about the stunt doubling.

Thanks.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Walt Welch:
It might be only me, but I think posts like this which are primarily concerned with a subject other than knives, would be more properly put on the community forum. Walt</font>
Click to expand...

I think it just might be you, Walt.
rolleyes.gif
C'mon Walt, lighten up.

Afterall, it does say that this is the place to discuss knives, swords...BTW, I saw the new trailers for the third installment of CROCODILE DUNDEE ("Why" I don't know since 1 & 2 were an abomination). Anyways he has a friggin' huge lockback folder in the movie...

Besides, people use the General Discussion area to discuss their political views which I find more offensive.

FMANN,

Sorry to tell you this but even Jackie Chan is stunt-doubled no matter what you read. For example, it is well-known that in RUMBLE IN THE BRONX, the long jump from a parking lot roof to a building balcony was done by director/stuntman, Stanley Tong; not Jackie. I know the end credit blooper reels show him bowing and the crew cheering, suggesting that he did the jump, but it's just a dupe. He never did it. It was Tong.

He's been doubled for many things in his films. You just don't read about it since publicists wouldn't dare advertise "JACKIE CHAN: He does SOME of his own stunts". That would sound stupid. So...

 
Not in our area yet....sad to say! But it's top on my list to go and see, glad to hear it's getting some good reviews by you guys...

G2

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...
 
I saw it last night! It was a very good story, and the fighting and effects were fantastic.
 
fmann:
If you watch Michelle Yeoh's weapons fight with Zhang Zi-Yi, especially the segment where she uses the long spear, in some shots it's very obvious Yeoh was doubled by an experienced Wushu performer. This is not necessarily a "stunt," it's a matter of skill. In other shots, Yeoh was actually doing the scenes, especially all the close-ups. Watch the weapons fight carefully and when they are shown from a distance and with Yeoh's character's back towards the camera with uncharacteristic (for Yeoh) acrobatic skill with the spear and double broadswords.
This is not a knock on Yeoh, but as was already mentioned by Full Tang Clan, even Jackie Chan (and Sammo Hung) sometimes use stunt doubles.
Jim

[This message has been edited by James Y (edited 01-22-2001).]
 
I was surprised that 15min into the show the subtitles disappeared!? I really stopped noticing them. It was also cool to hear the diology in the native language, for me it added alot. Man, the sword fights!!! Do not miss this one and I mean don't wait to rent it.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by James Y:
fmann:
This is not a knock on Yeoh, but as was already mentioned by Full Tang Clan, even Jackie Chan (and Sammo Hung) sometimes use stunt doubles.
Jim
</font>
Click to expand...

Absolutely James. It is not a knock against Michelle Yeoh.

First, Michelle Yeoh is first and foremost, an actress; in this case a lead actress. Therefore why risk your star doing hazardous stunts? If anything goes wrong, the production would cease, people would be out of jobs, and millions of dollars would be on the line.

Secondly, Michelle Yeoh is a former dancer and is very graceful and athletic. However, some movements and swordplay in the fight -- as choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo Ping -- could only be executed by someone with an extensive martial arts background. My eyes tell me that the double was at least a collegiate level Wu Shu performer.

However, both Michelle Yeoh, and Chow Yun Fat, still did an excellent job with their fight scenes.

 
WOW. amazing movie, worth going back for. and the bamboo forest fight was nothing short of spectacular. did anyone see the convoluted throwing blades that the Jade Fox used to kill the inspector who had followed her from Peking? what on earth were those?
 
I have to agree. This was by far one of the best films I have ever seen. It is done so well, that even if you normally don't like martial arts movies, you will like it. We went a couple weeks ago and there were three girls with us who are non martial arts fans and they absolutely loved it. Don't label it and write it off, you WILL be sorry!

------------------

Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------

"only the paranoid will survive"
 
I saw some of the previews, looks interesting.

How do they explain the climbing up trees and jumping up to roofs though.
Are these dream sequences or something? to me when these things are done with no justification it takes away from the film.

------------------
....and sharper than any twoedged sword ...
Heb 4:12
 
I liked it. But, I would have liked it much more if someone edited out the fantasy sequences (jumping on roofs, walking on water, flying over trees). The wierd stuff added nothing to the story and removed whatever credibility had been established.

 
The flying scenes are integral to the entire storyline. One of the important points in the movie is that there are those that can do and those that think that they can do, but can't. In the entire movie, there are many characters that are really skilled in kung fu, but only 4 characters (Li Mo Bak, Siu Lien, Jen Lung, and Bik Nan Woo Lei) have the ability to fly. And because they have great power, with great power comes great responsibility. That why something as stupid as stealing a sword results in the all the of the problems in the movie.

The flying scenes though are incredibly well done, much better than in most other kung fu flicks, and gives it the fantasy/mythic feel. Supposedly the old kung fu masters of days long gone were able to do super human things due to their mastery of the arts.

Just like if you read the Iliad, Aeneid, etc., it's a common theme that people back then were cut from a different stock.

FTC and James, thanks for clueing me in on the stunt double stuff.

[This message has been edited by fmann (edited 01-22-2001).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top