CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (2000) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2024
- Enjoy our reaction as we watch "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" for the first time!
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00:00 - Intro
02:19 - Reaction
43:55 - Review 
Развлечения
Both Jen and Michelle Yeoh's character yearned for the life they thought the other one had, and they could never attain: Jen wanted freedom from marriage to live as a martial arts master, and Michelle Yeoh was a martial arts master who wanted to settle down and marry Li Mu Bai. But Michelle Yeoh was mature about it, while Jen was young and reckless, and her impulsiveness destroyed everything in the end
they both were contrained by the culture of which they were bound - stuck in roles
as with Li Mu Bai
it's a commentary on gender roles and social norms and the 'time to let those things go' message
Jade Fox is the pivotal character
the 'antagonist' that is not the enemy, but a person who was put into a position insociety in such that she could only be who she became, and because of that, she is JADED, and fulfills the energy of that untennable life by dying
tragic and beautiful
most people see the tragedy in Jen's story, but not Jade Fox's
Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien too fo course
@@user-ih5jr8rt5q Exactly! Shu Lien and Jade Fox were the two paths the young Jen was constrained to take (martial arts/ career wise anyway)
She wanted a better answer. This is why symbolically she so desperately wanted the Green Destiny sword to carve a better path.
Li Mu Bai rejected Nirvana because sadly the love of his life could not join him there. As a true enlightened hero he takes up the quest to right this wrong for the next generation; Jen. But Jen must reject his help because what good is “ Self Agency” that is given to you. The quest is so difficult that he dies in the undertaking.
Jen’s final wish is the Self Agency her culture denies her.
Jade Fox portrayed by the LEGENDARY Pei-Pei Cheng, who herself, was the “Michelle Yeoh” heroine and female poster child of 60s and 70’s martial art films…. Quite the FOXin her heyday!! ❤❤
@@LLLLLL-wp9bz Jen's story is more of youthful foolishness and impulsiveness because of a lack of self identity. The 2 masters are trying to help her have the life she craves but doing it in a very thoughtful, rational way like helping her old boyfriend... But Jen is too impatient. She doesn't know how to take a step back, understand herself and what she really wants, and then do that.
Her lack of direction and flipflopping back and forth is best illustrated by her visiting Yu Shu Lien at her headquarters. Aaaand then having a very quick falling out and starting a huge duel... She likes the idea of the life of solitude but doesn't really want to leave her connections behind. She doesn't know how to commit cuz she doesn't really know what she wants yet. This is the same reason why she doesn't honor her word about letting Li Mu Bai teach her if he can take the sward from her. He takes it but she says "screw you" essentially lol
Because of her impatience to understand what she really wants, she sets in motion circumstances that leads to Li Mu Bai's death. That's why Yu Shu Lien threatens her with the sward after he dies. The reason why she stops is cuz she knows Jen didn't want this to happen, she was just being foolish, defiant, and impatient. Lacking maturity. She, of course, at this point finally understands that fact and how her actions can affect other people's lives.
Just as in real life though, there were many times when things were still salvageable, up to the point of her last fight with Li Mu Bai. But of course there's always a limit before your actions affect too many things...
The fight between the two ladies in the dojo is still to this day the best weapon-based one on one ever.
agreed
Absolutely 💯 💯 💯
The way Michelle is handling that two handed sword is doing something to me
Fun fact: the title "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a phrase used to describe a situation. A rough translation is a place where many skilled and dangerous people are hiding, or are not who they seem. It's similar to the English phrases "Hornet's Nest" and "Den of Wolves". When the title was localized, they decided to do a literal translation of the Chinese phrase instead of trying to use a similar English phrase.
Thank you for that information, I think the phrase being a literal translation was a much better idea. I can't imagine what English phrase they'd use for the movie, 'Risk it for a biscuit'?
Why? I think: "A place where many skilled and dangerous people are hiding, or are not who they seem" would've been a great title for the movie.
@@purpleprinc3 🤣
Very cool.
Didn’t know this. Thanks
The whole point of the story is that the glorification and ego associated with violence lead to tragic, invisible grief and loss. Ang Lee wants you to feel that. This movie is a masterpiece.
Its about free from choices. She were given opportunity to choose Who she want to be but she want to be free which means death
@@boboboy8189 I believe she kills herself because she understands that she will never be able to stop the cycle of violence from destroying those she loves.
I think this is more than a masterpiece. I think it's a masterchunk.
@@stevesmith9447 someone said in the book, she survived but its very anti climatic so in the movie they Just ended while she fall
@@boboboy8189 Interesting. Where does she go, what does she do?
Yeah, in period Wu-Xia films like this the heroes are practically mythological -- with super-powered fighting abilities. Thus the balletic rooftop running, etc. Much of that is achieved with complex wire rigs. But all that fighting choreography is real, and it's impressive how much of it is done by the stars themselves. Beautiful film on every level.
Wuxia = people are real humans and human only
Xianxia = people can be gods, demon, spirit, monster all sort of animal and plants
Journey to the West is Xianxia genre while this movie is strictly wuxia
@@boboboy8189There still is an obvious further distinction between more down to earth and largely realistic martial arts movies like Ip Man and ones like this where the fighting itself at least borders on and frequently crosses well into the supernatural, even in absence of any other explicitely supernatural elements.
Are you trying to tell me, ‚kung fu hustle‘ is not a documentary?!
@@lukasbauer8783 IP-Man and Fearless is strictly called kung-fu movie if i'm not wrong, this is because IP-Man and Fearless is based on real kung-fu Master life although of course china kinda exaggerate them. You can watch Fearless which is underated movie and it was release before IP-Man. Both basically biopic life of kung-fu Master who defeating other martial artist.
Wuxia is more mythology, most of them based on book meanwhile kung-fu movie can be historical such as IP-Man and Fearless or just another action movie like every Police story is
@@lutzderlurch7877 kung-fu hustle is wuxia genre
The dojo fight scene where Michelle Yeoh switches weapons as they get destroyed was not only filmed in only two days, but Michelle had broken her foot. She's actually wearing a concealed cast throughout. Michelle is a very capable stunt performer, and she has plenty of determination too - it can't have been comfortable.
She is the queen of martial arts films. Do not get it twisted. Much respect.
i had no idea about that. Where do you read about this? Not that I don't believe it.
@@_Wai_Wai_ An interview with the stunt co-ordinator. He said Michelle was a real trooper about getting back to work as soon as possible.
Yeah, you can tell in some shots that they had to hide the character's face b/c it was a rare stunt double for Michelle.
yeah ... thats why u can see her face mostly is light movement shots....i heard that in one episode of corridor crew's Stuntmen reacts series
There is a film called "Memoirs of a Geisha", with the same duo Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, a beautiful love story that takes place during the WW2 in Japan
The book is wonderful.
@@popculturista - Yes, agreed. The novel is much superior to the film.
In Japan, of course, there was much consternation over Hollywood's decision to cast the main characters with Chinese/Malaysian actresses. A totally fair response, in my opinion.
Even if Zhang Ziyi is both massively talented and a complete smoke show.
Thank you for this reaction! 😊 For further viewing consider ´Hero´ and ´House of Flying Daggers´, both from director Zhang Yimou. His visual artistry is breathtaking.
And Hero
Yes! These are both fabulous Jet Li films done in similar style to Crouching Tiger. My favorite of all is Hero. What a great story.
Don't forget "Reign of Assassins"
also starring Michelle Yeoh with Korean actor Jung Woo Sung and co directed by John Woo. For more Zhang Ziyi films, check out the 2001 film "Musa: The Warrior" also co-starring Jung Woo Sung.
I love "Hero" but "House of the Flying Daggers" I always found to be depressing.
I have watched it twice and in the end I think it was the blood in HotFD that somehow makes it a more unsettling film...
But "Hero" is stunning!!
Hero is a masterpiece.
This is truly one of the best movies of the last 25 years. It is absolutely perfect. As a kid, we rented this from blockbuster and I don’t think we ever returned it because I ended up watching every day after school.
A beautiful fantasy. More ballet than action, making the fighting scenes almost sublime. Incredible cinematography. All around a wonderful film.
The fight scenes are fantastic However There is nothing beautiful or poetic about Jen's death. It was pointless and tragic.
Very well said!
What I love about Kung Fu movies is there's no shaky cam and jump cuts. It's mostly medium shots and you can clearly see the actors doing the fight choreography. Obviously they used stunt doubles for the harder stunts but for the fight scenes they cast actors that could actually do it.
@@smavtmb2196 she choose to be free. She was given choice to be
1) someone wife
2) bandit wife
3) a legendary thief
4) wudan student
So she pick none of them and wanted to be free forever which means death. Its poetic in term of literature
Did she die? I think the wish came true.
Ang Lee's entire career has been exploring the many ways that people can't express their feelings. There aren't many directors who's entire body of work has a theme.
For those that don't know, the same fight choreographer that did The Matrix movies did this, which is part of the reason The Matrix fight scenes are so good.
Drunken Master director
@@user-ih5jr8rt5q Drunken Master (1978), actually. The Legend of Drunken Master (2000) was the American title of Drunken Master II (1994).
mygoodness my mistake, I know that
thanks for the correction!
I know kungfu movies quite well, that was a brainslip ! @@jp3813
thats why Drunken boxing is one of fight styles Neo learns
Yeoh and Ziyi's kitchen sink dojo brawl... one of the best fights ever put to film.
Also, I second the people below who recommend Jet Li's "Hero" (2002) to you, it's an honest to God piece of art.
The stunt team (under Yuen Woo Ping's direction) should've won bloody MEDALS for their work on that fight. It's a fantastic blend of incredible action, character development, and storytelling all wrapped into one of the most well-known, beautifully scored fight scenes ever to hit the silver screen.
Hero is such an amazing film. It's on here,for free 😊.
My only fear is if they do watch "Hero" they could get lost with how the story is told with the different viewpoints and all. Still a great film though.
The House of the Flying Daggers is good too.
A fascist piece of art but yes.
This is one of the most amazing movies you are going to see. So seamless, so beautiful, so noble and so deep. 10/10.
I remember as a teenager feeling so powerless, directiinless and angry, and Jen embodied that to me. Unfortunately, to her every attempt to offer help looked like another attempt to control her, similar to Jade Fox, yet she couldnt seem to see that was what Jade Fox waw actually doing. And so all she could do was lash out without any goal or hope. I felt that so deeply, this movie still makes me cry.
I agree I also come to realize the overall message becareful of people who would prey on your insecurities and promise to give you everything you want because normally it's to serve their ends not yours.
'House of Flying Daggers' and 'Hero' came out around a similar time. Also emotionally draining but beautiful. I feel like it's a good trio of movies to enjoy.
tons of these beautiful chinese epics.... there was that chow yun fat gong li something something golden flowers movie too
Two years apart each.
@@jp3813 so, "a similar time". That's closer together than the films of the original Star Wars trilogy
@@Randomcorpse A similar time, specifically two years apart each. Feel better?
@@jp3813 closer than the iPhone 4 and the bronze age
The scene where Michelle Yeoh is watching the other actress' hand is very important. When writing she has a deft strong hand, the hand of a swordsman. Its in that moment she realizes who stole the blade
That's why I cover my hands when I'm typing on the keyboard and swiping on my smart phone, so as not to reveal my martial arts skills.
@@petercofrancesco9812 precisely
@@petercofrancesco9812so you are kung fu thief, huh?
It is not just the hand of a swordsman. It was believed that calligraphy and swordsmanship were drawn from the same skill set. Swordsmen would practice their art as much through calligraphy as through practice with the sword and as such the stroke of a brush would mirror the stroke of a sword. So when Michelle Yeoh's character sees the calligraphy, she recognized the same movements as she had seen in the Jade Fox's swordsmanship. It is what first clues her in to the Fox's identity and from that point she is protecting the Fox.
Exactly! The tea china is very expensive and made by the best tradesman of it's time, it is a very prized by the young girl and didn't want a piece to break her set.
This secret martial art reflex exposed herself.
A lot of Chinese stories have endings like this. The lessons are that even in the face of tragedy, grace and beauty can be displayed and teach us to see the beauty we have that is temporary and fleeting. I do admit I like your ending better.
My interpretation when I saw this growing up more so was that she committed so many sins that she couldn’t live on with her guilt. But that’s also because I’m Chinese and always embraced more traditional Chinese values and expectations more than the next guy.
忠孝仁爱 : loyalty, filial, compassionate, love
I saw her as disobeying and lying to her master, learning other abilities behind her back. Flirting and being a seductress with Li Mu Bai when he wanted to take her under his wing.
Also being disobedient to her parents which would be a traditional sin according to Chinese culture whether you approve of it or not.
Bragging and using her power to hurt others particularly in that fight in the restaurant.
Stealing the sword to begin with.
But even more so, lying to and disrespecting Shu Lien, who gave her every opportunity to do the right thing.
This may make me seem cold but this is how I read her character for many years. These days particularly as I grew older, I do feel compassion for her feeling lost in her life but I continue to see her as reckless, power hungry and arrogant for most of the film until her life is spared
@@acdragonridershe doesn't have good person to guide her, that's why she behave like this. I would said her Master is actually symbolic to woman freedom but with the cost of destruction of gender role.
I think the lesson is the cost of valuing violence. It is easy, exciting, mythical... and good people die again and again and again for it. Tsai, Li Mu Bai. All those harmed for just crossing Jen's path, a young and talented person who doesn't understand the pain she has caused, until it is too late for her to do anything about it, even though she always thought, always believed, she would. She finds out that she is wrong... and is alone in her knowing. And so, instead of living with that and seeking to offer better, she takes her own life, forsakes any good she might ever do, believing herself to be poison - completing the tragedy.
@@boboboy8189She absolutely doesn’t have a good guide which is why I also sympathize with her and the fact that she has always wanted adventure but her actions don’t excuse her. Nor does how she treat those who want to guide her.
The fight in the restaurant only demonstrates that while she believed in the myth of a hero winning fame through combat, the truth is she showed arrogance, ruthlessness and lack of concern for others’ lives.. particularly when they only wanted to fight for fun. And honestly.
Jade definitely is meant to depict women stepping outside the box. I only comment more on on Li and Shu because personality wise and growth wise, I’ve always been more accustomed to staying within cultural norms and abiding by them even if I sometimes want to step out. That’s why I like how well Ang Lee shows the love story between Chow and Michelle… and how they don’t ever do anything major until the ending. When it’s too late.
Everything in this film is beautiful, so that doesn't make sense as a lesson. Seems more like the consequences of seeking revenge and not acting on your true desires.
Many critics recall a screening at the Cannes Film Festival that during the scene with both fighters running up the wall, the critics all erupted into applause which is something they rarely do. They were alluding to the sheer mastery of the scene, its speed but also its grace and beauty. This was one of my favorite movies of 2000.
The genre is called "Wuxia" in China which translates to "Martial Heroes."
It's a combination of Martial arts and fantasy.
One of the trademarks of Wuxia films is extensive wire-work, giving the impression that the characters can defy gravity.
And yeah, the entire world fell in love with Zhang Ziyi after this movie came out.
Ironically, neither she nor Michelle were Martial artists before they got into film.
They both majored in dance.
The movie Hero with Jet Li is tragic, romantic and filled with action. It's almost painfully beautiful. It always makes me tear up. It's a must watch. These kinds of martial arts movies are more like legends or fairytales where people's abilities are exaggerated to the point of being almost supernatural. Imagine a Chinese Princess Bride Grandfather is reading you a story about warriors and princesses and it makes way more sense.
I love to hate Jet Li but Hero is undeniably the third best martial arts movie ever, behind Fearless and this.
@@stevesmith9447Hate Jet Li? The actual fuck? Putting aside his filmography and martial arts chops, everything I've seen about him points to him being one of the most down to earth, chill motherfuckers around. Literal Keanu Reeves of Hong Kong cinema.
@@stevesmith9447 Check out 'Kiss of the Dragon' with Jet Li, awesome movie, johnny boy! ;) Jet Li is actually a nice dude, I know he's done a few duds (The Dog one), but overall he is awesome. Check out Once Upon a Time in China 2 with Donnie Yen! Also Iron Monkey but that doesn't have Jet Li in it.
@@stevesmith9447 Yes, Fearless, for me is the definitive martial arts movie. Such a good story, love me those sad endings.
hero was based on history loosely based on a historical fact. i think i remember looking it up in a chinese history book.... but there has been lots of assassination attempts on rulers of china
Still to this day 24 years later, this has to be one of if not the best ever choreographed fight scenes in movie history. and I'm grading this on everyth9ing I've ever seen, From Rocky to Duel of the Fates.
You should watch more wuxia then, hollywood doesn't know how to do choreography not until bourne movie happened.
I am Chinese, I try to write as short as possible about what non-Chinese viewers may not know:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon "臥虎藏龍" means there are some people has their talent in society, but appears just like normal people. The title is used because it is a common Chinese idiom.
The era is under 1636-1912 Qing dynasty, it can tell because this is the only era all men must contain that hairstyle.
The movie is about a personal freedom under traditional Chinese society, here on Chow Yun-fat ( Li Mu Bai)& Michelle Yeoh (Yu Shu Lie) relationship, and Zhang Ziyi (Jen Yu) personal interest.
Li Mu Bai & Yu Shu Lie actually love each other, but Yu Shu Lie finace was dead, Yu Shu Lie had to tie with that relationship for her entire life. they cannot openly express their feelings, it is considered cheated by female and affair with someone wife. it is serious. So, they both followed society Rules and personal interest is less considered.
Jen Yu the young woman, wanted to explore to outside world, that was not allowed in that time, their role was only get married and be housewife for her entire adult life. Yu Shu Lie understood her feelings in a degree, but Jen Yu was dared to break the rules.
Green Destiny Sword is made up, Lots of Chinese urban legend or stores contain some sward were stronger than the others, but here to implied even anyone able to get this powerful sword, their will still unable to break free.
The end were tragedies, Li Mu Bai could only expressed his love to Yu Shu Lie before he died, and that was the ONLY chance he could express himself, Jen Yu suicided by jumped off to the cloud, means whatever she will do, people around always just tie her back to the traditional Chinese society.
Cassie and Carly mentioned at the beginning of the movie, that warriors always jump and float in the air, that filming technique started in Hong Kong movies since 1960s and Hong Kong TV soap operas since 1970s, it simply means those warriors are superior in martial art. But Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon launched this to the worldwide ordinances at year 2000.
By the way, apart from Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat acted Anna and the King with Jodie Foster, Zhang Ziyi acted Rush Hour 2 with Jackie Chan, Memoirs of a Geisha again with Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li. You may check them out.
I hope you guys find these useful :)
Thanks bud
This movie keeps asking Jen "Who do you want to be?" And she has several different options: faithful daughter, wife, Lo's lover, student of Wudan, etc., but those were all, to some degree, chosen for her. The end of the movie is Jen embracing the freedom to decide for herself who she wants to be without anyone telling her who she has to be.
But she doesn't come back.
Both Jen and Michelle Yeoh's character yearned for the life they thought the other one had, and they could never attain: Jen wanted freedom from marriage to live as a martial arts master, and Michelle Yeoh was a martial arts master who wanted to settle down and marry Li Mu Bai. But Michelle Yeoh was mature about it, while Jen was young and reckless, and her impulsiveness destroyed everything in the end
@@genghisgalahad8465 She does in in Cassie and Carly extended version.
Yes! The Crouching Tiger is the obvious plot of the movie the Hidden Dragon is the hidden story of the movie being told in symbols and metaphors. Her jump off Wudan mountain is her wish for Self Agency in a culture that gave her very little. It’s also what the sword represents; a metaphor for control of human destinies thus its name. Same with her green comb except that’s control over her role as a woman.
@stevemiller6923 true that.
Legit one of the greatest films ever made. Deserves every accolade.
well, no
but it is excellent
it's an homage to the director
King Hu (Raining on the Mountain, Touch of Zen, Legend of the Mountain, etc.)
@@user-ih5jr8rt5q There's always got to be one of you "um actually" guys hanging around, doesn't there? They like the movie, they think it's great.
You don't impress people by waiting for _them_ to venture an opinion, then going "well, no". Make recommendations of this other bullshit you're talking about. Tell specifics about this movie that most wouldn't know or get, _that's_ what has the chance of impressing people. Or if you can't make it positive, just keep the "um actually's" to yourself!
The Simpsons comic book nerd shit hasn't been the standard for a _long_ time now.
@user-ih5jr8rt5q and ur point dork? It's better than all of them
@@existenceisrelative pressed 💀
agreed! ♥
I can also recommend "House of Flying Daggers." Zhang Ziyi stars in it. She played Jen in this.
not as good, though.
The ending is about her sacrificing her life to make a wish that she would have made better decisions in her life so things didn't spiral out of control the way they did and how it affected the people around her, because she felt so guilty and finally realize she was walking down the wrong life path. It's her way of repentance. BUT, it's actually a way to teach younger people the lesson to make better decisions.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a quote from Chinese mythology. It refers to hiding your strength from others.
The actors all performed most of their own stunts. CGI was used to remove the wires holding them up.
I have read that watching a Chinese martial arts movie without the floating wire work is like watching a Western without a six shooter.
The director, Ang Lee was already a lauded filmmaker before this having directed Sense and Sensibility from Emma Thompson's screenplay starring Emma Thompson. Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant are based on the Jane Austin novel. He also directed The Wedding Banquet, Hulk (with Eric Bana as Bruce Banner), and has won two Best Director Oscars for Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi. He was nominated for this. In many ways, I actually think it is his best film.
Chow Yun Fat (Li Mu Bai) was making more and more of a name for himself with American audiences when he made this film. In Hong Kong films, he was a huge star. My favorite English language film he made was Anna and the King, where he played King Mongkut and Jodie Foster played Anna Leonowens...basically, a non-musical remake of The King and I, which is a real story. It also co-starred Randall Duk Kim (The Keymaker from The Matrix Reloaded) and a young Tom Felton (pre-Draco Malfoy) as Louis Leonowens.
Zhang Ziyi (Jen) made a couple of English language films, but has stuck mainly to Hong Kong films. One of her best English language films was Memoirs of a Geisha, for which she was nominated for the SAG Award, the BAFTA, and the Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Chang Chen (Lo) has stuck mainly to Asian cinema, but was in Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021) as Dr. Wellington Yeuh, sharing the screen with Oscar Isaac (Duke Leto Atreides), Timothee Chalemet (Paul Atreides), Stellan Skarsgard (Baron Vladimir Harkonnen), and Rebecca Ferguson (Lady Jessica) in that amazing adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel.
I think the only really notable Ang Lee film you didn't mention was The Ice Storm, which was another one of his early critial hits. He's made more hits that misses. There are a couple of really odd failures in his backlog, but even the movies he makes that aren't 'good' are worth watching for just how ... interesting they are. Even his bombs are notable and worth watching.
I've watched SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at least 30 times.
No kidding.
The sister is all, "CPR," when the guy's dying from poisoning. 😆
Cassie: "I think the flying is like the Force." Yep, George Lucas ripped off Chinese martial arts movies, and Japanese director Akiro Kurosawa, when he wrote Star Wars (note the lightsabers). In Chinese legend true masters can surpass the laws of physics
Two other glorious Chinese movies are "House of Flying Daggers" and "Curse of the Golden Flower" which star several of the same actors.
I 2nd these!
8:44 "How are they running like that?" The same way Spiderman jumps through buildings and Superman flies. It is the same fiction genre of story telling.
This movie was nominated for Oscars, 13 BAFTAS and 7 Hong Kong Film Awards. Michelle Yeoh won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once. She is considered the Queen Of Martial Arts. Her first-ever role in 84 at the age of 22 she was stunning. At age 61 she still looks stunning. Her first role playing a martial artist she said she knew nothing about martial arts.
nominated for 10 Oscars, won 4. fantastic movie.
For Cassie since you asked, and it’s a good question actually, WuXia (kung fu/martial arts film) wuxia translates as “martial hero”. So basically any work where the main hero or even supporting characters primarily use martial means or combat to achieve their goals. Wuxia also commonly uses themes such as magic and sorcery, mystical weapons or artifacts, and even explores social relationships and concepts.
If a work meets all or even just most of the above elements, then it could be considered wuxia.
One of the most gorgeous movies ever made IMO. Everything from the scenery to the choreography, seamless, smooth and entrancing. This was the gateway to wuxia (fiction involving Chinese martial arts with a kind of fantasy twist) movies for many people in the west
Nothing like seeing wind-swept mountains covered with lush green bamboo forests, projected on a big theater movie screen.
(It wasn't in this edit, but the landscape images right after the 31:14 tea scene.)
"Gorgeous" is right.
@@mmattson8947 Gorgeous is also a great martial arts movie that I'd recommend, but it's best watched after seeing someone Jackie Chan's early movies for a greater sense of growth.
watch King Hu's
Raining in the Mountain, Legend of the Mountain
The funniest part in this whole review is when Cassie says at 30:49 ... "Maybe they should fight" then clicked her tongue twice. That was the best I have ever heard you comment. LOL
If you like this type of movie, House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Hero (2002) are also must-see movies.
I recommend those two as well as Iron Monkey and Jet Li's Fearless. As I feel all four of them are pretty close in style and tone.
I wish I would have scrolled down. I just made the same comment.
@@kamron_thurmond Yes to Jet Li’s “Fearless”. 👍
And to relieve the depression, Kung-fu Hustle!
@@kingleech16I personally really love and enjoy Kung-fu Hustle. However personally to fully appreciate the wackiness of Kung Fu Hustle or Shaolin Soccer I think she would have to watch quite a lot of other martial arts movies first. Otherwise their cartoony nature could come off as weird, and she could get the wrong idea that all martial arts movie are wacky.
This movie is so iconic! Also if you find that you enjoy Wu-Xia (Kung fu) movies I would also recommend Zhang Yimou’s “Hero”, “House of Flying Daggers” (also by Zhang Yimou and is based on a Song Dynasty play if I remember correctly). The latter is very much a love story so I think you’d enjoy it. If you want more historical-based I would go for John Woo’s “Red Cliff” based on history from the 3 Kingdoms period. And if you want more drama side I would go for “The Banquet” which is basically if Hamlet had been set in 10th century China.
Even if you don’t watch them for the channel and just wanna watch more wuxia just on your own, any of the above would be excellent choices. 😎
Red Cliff was beautiful. Especially, the International Version.
Love "Crouching Tiger" but "Hero" is my personal favorite of the style.
i liked House of Flying Daggers a lot
@mikef2811
I got the 5-hour international release for Christmas two years ago. One of my favorite top ten movies 🙇♂️
I believe that Jet Li was supposed to star in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon but had to deal with personal issues, so Chow Yun-fat took the role. Chow Yun-fat was also great in the "Curse of the Golden Flower".
42:19 "Can't they bring him back with like, the force?"
Hahaha omg you girls are too cute 😂😂😂
That scene where Jen and Li Mu Bai face off in the bamboo forest is so elegant and exquisite.
It's not a cinematically beaufiful gem like this, but imo, Enter the Dragon is the best martial arts movie ever!
This film lowkey has one of the best love stories and it’s not obvious about it. People often associate this one with pure martial arts but it’s truly a world-class story
Both Jen and Michelle Yeoh's character yearned for the life they thought the other one had, and they could never attain: Jen wanted freedom from marriage to live as a martial arts master, and Michelle Yeoh was a martial arts master who wanted to settle down and marry Li Mu Bai
I agree with the many comments that recommended "Hero" from 2002 and "House of Flying Daggers" from 2004 (my two favourite movies of this genre), both directed by Zhang Yimou. They are Wuxia-films which use a lot of Martial Arts elements to tell the stories taking place in ancient China. I have not yet seen a reaction by any other reaction channel to these films and would really like to see yours. Both films come with a love story and Zhang Ziyi (Jen, the governors daughter) plays roles in both, in "Hero" in a supporting role and in "House of Flying Daggers" in a leading role.
This genre specifically is called Wuxia. It's essentially fantasy that is heavily influenced by martial arts. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a chinese idiom that actually means talent is hidden or there's dangerous and talented people hidden from plain sight. Jianghu is so hard to describe in english, but growing up watching this genre, I understand what it is.
I love how unique this movie is. The choreography is stunning 😍
it's an homage to the director King Hu, check him out
I saw this movie when I was 10 years old in a dollar movie theater. It was the first movie I saw that was completely subtitled. It blew my mind. It’s definitely a core movie memory that brings me joy anytime anyone brings it up.
My step-brothers' and I watched it over and over!
Michele Yeoh didn't study fighting until later in life. She first studied ballet.
She had an injury that forced her to give up ballet and then moved to this, which is interesting.
Michelle is amazing in Jackie Chan's "Supercop" - she does her own stunts including jumping onto a moving train while riding a motorcycle.
This came out around the same time as The Matrix and it was described to me as, "Chinese Matrix". That was all most people needed to hear, to want to see it.
Jade Fox was played by Cheng Pei Pei, a legendary heroine of the Shaw Brothers Studio who is remembered as Golden Swallow in "Come Drink With Me". This was a great movie all around. As a suggestion how about "Ip Man" with Donnie Yen?
One of the really amazing things about this film, which I don't know if many are aware of, is that when you watch the English dub they carefully chose the wording so that the lip movements still look right. And, even more amazingly, it also looks right in the French dub. Watch the scene when Shu Lien goes to visit Jen at the Governor's house and they are talking about her upcoming wedding. You get lots of close ups during the dialogue, I think you'll be impressed.
In this genre, their level of training let's them "float" and "fly."
Just think of it as superpowers and you will do just fine.
Ugh, I saw this movie in theaters with subtitles but then my parents insisted on watching it dubbed and I couldn't stand it!
I hate dubbing.
this was easily one of the greatest movies put to screen. sublime, subtle, and beautiful.
Great reaction! This movie was based on a few chapters of an old famous book series. In the novel, Jen did not die from the jump. She has more adventures installed for her with many other characters to come.
You have to view this movie as a folk tale or a myth. Tall tales or legends that ppl told each in a fantastical sense. The comic books of long ago. I think its beautiful story. Reminds me of Greek Mythology. The spare between Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Zihi is probably one of my top favorite choreographed fight scenes. Can you believe the movie lost best picture to Gladiator?
Quick primer on two of the most famous martial arts stars:
"Enter the Dragon" starring Bruce Lee (1972) was an international sensation and the movie that brought martial arts from the fringe into the mainstream, and launched a generation of imitators. It's a spy movie, with martial arts instead of guns
Jackie Chan was trained as an acrobat, and his early movies (made in Hong Kong) are a mix of martial arts, physical comedy, and stunt work (he famously did his own stunts and injured himself many times). There are many good ones, but start with "Drunken Master 2" which features one of the greatest fight/stunt sequences ever, then "Armor of God," "Supercop," "Rumble in the Bronx," and "First Strike" are good introductions
She mentioned ETD in the intro. Get ready for the "Bruce Lee no shirt no comment" reaction.
The original drunken master is great, as the 8 drunken immortals are explained fully. Unsure why DM2 gets more attention, but agree that it's fantastic too. I'd actually include Dragon Lord as a seminal film that all Kung Fu film fans should watch as it's kind of the first big move from conventional fight scenes to his unique stunts. The fight scene at the end is absolutely mental. No idea how he survived it
Those are all great Jackie Chan movies, but as a true first introduction I would always go with Snake in Eagle's Shadow! It's one of the simplest, most straightforward of his HK movies, with a good story and a fun tone to it. Jackie in his full power but still able to play the young guy convincingly. Many of the later movies you mentioned have a lot more complications going on with their plots that can be confusing to the uninitiated.
I saw this movie when it came out and I was just graduating high school. I'd never seen anything like it and it absolutely enthralled me. To this day it's in my top 20 films of all time. Masterpiece.
Ziyi Zhang (who played Jen) was the crazy lady with the bomb 💣 in Rush Hour 2. She was also in Memoirs of a Geisha; Hero; House of the Flying Daggers.
- Hero starring Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi (who played Jen in Crouching Tiger), Donnie Yen (who was Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One), Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung
- Kiss of the Dragon starring Jet Li and Bridget Fonda
This film is in the mystical, magical "wuxia" genre. The martial artist characters have reached a higher plain of existence and therefore the laws of gravity and physics do not apply.
41:53: that’s such a good line of dialogue. Pure poetry.
One of my favorite films. So incredible in so many ways. And I think the ending is perfect. Sometimes you have to embrace the melancholy! Thanks for the reaction- enjoyed it!
One of the greatest films ever made. Literally has it all.
Love that you are watching this classic. I remember when it came out and was such a new style of cinema for me and then followed up with the masterpiece of "Hero". Please keep up the good work with showcasing cinema from around the world as there are so many classics and genre-defining films from so many different cultures to enjoy!
When young we watched alot of Asian Cinema; Bollywood; Martial Arts etc.. the flying around during chases and fights is characteristic of the genre. Its like they are 'so practiced' at martial arts they can do super human things
Let's not ignore the legendary Cheng Pei-pei in the role of Jade Fox, maybe the first female action heroine and one of the greatest martial arts master
A beautiful movie.
Poetry in motion.
Easily one of the greatest films of all time. And just as you realize this, they break out the *other* epic love story.
Chow Yun Fat who played Li Mu Bai was also in “Anna and the King” with Jodie Foster (both this film and “The King and I” were based on the true story of Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam). Chow Yun Fat was also in “Bulletproof Monk”.
Surprised there's no reactions for Anna and the king
Chow Yun-fat did a ton of movies, but most of them are HK movies such as The Killer and Hard Boiled. Those two were my favorite classic.
Sorry, if you remove the tragedy of this love story, it will no longer mean anything.
Thank you for reacting to this movie, one of my all time favorites.
Michelle yeoh filmed this whole movie with an earpiece in her ear and someone reading her lines for her. She's Malaysian and doesn't the main dialect of the film (I think it was Catonese but I'm not sure). And she was nominated for Best Actress (probably should've won for this before Everything, Everywhere All at Once). This film is an adaptation of a part of series of Chinese novels where you get the backstory of Liu Mei Bai and Shu Lein and her late husband as well as what happens to Jen later on.
It's in Mandarin, and I believe Yeoh speaks Cantonese, what most traditional Hong Kong films use being in the Guangdong region (aka Canton in the bastardized British pronunciation).
I watched CTHD when I was young so inevitably I was enthralled by the fight scenes and martial arts on display. However, watching it as I got older I was captivated by the beautiful love story and the melancholy of Jen's character arc.
I recommend Drive (1997). It was a straight to video martial arts movie and almost nobody has seen it, but I've always had a soft spot for it.
Such a stunningly beautiful and melancholy movie. It's just breath taking in every aspect from the martial arts to the scenery, costumes, acting and brilliant wire work and fight staging. A definite favourite.
The English dubbed version may have been easier to understand fully.
Jade Fox killed the Wudan Master and stole the training books but never learned to read so she could only learn so much from the pictures. She trained Jen and she could easily read the book due to her being educated, thereby surpassing Jade Fox's skills.
Wudan is known as a martial art that resembled being able to float and one of it's training was to learn to walk gracefully over an inch of grease.
But so much uglier.
The experience of watching this movie in the cinema was amazing back then..
Yes! I saw it in IMAX and it was so stunning on that screen.
This movie came out in the same summer (in Australia) as “Amelie”, which you’ve already seen. Truly a great year for the movies!
Those two seriously asked "is thus modern days?" I can't
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon awards; 4 Oscars, a Golden Globe, 3 other awards and nominated for 6 more.
1st time watching a Jackie Chan movie was in a theater in Seoul S Korea, 80-81(?).
It was entirely Chinese with Korean sub. I'd not a clue and it was awesome. "Drunken Monkey".
The end of this one, remember it is a different people and culture. Very many endings in world literature do not end for a Care Bear. 🧸
A really good movie to watch and it’s based on a true story, is Jet Li’s “Fearless”. And it’s not as confusing.
I don't think think they watch this movie because of romance, carly won't watch purely action movie
Yes to “Fearless”! 👍
This is one of the most beautiful films, both visually and in terms of the heart breaking storyline. Loved this film since it came out.
While not martial arts, have you seen The Fountain? From your visual and storyline guidelines, The Fountain will give this a run for its money.
I remembered coming out of the theatre all those years ago just BUZZING about how great this was and that I had a whole new genre to explore. To this day I still have never seen another wuxia film. lol
Yay! I'm so excited you're watching this. It's sweeping, epic romance, Kung Fu action and Chinese soap opera all in one. The fight in the temple between the ladies is the most awesome thing I've ever seen on film. Michelle Yeoh is amazing.
The entire cast (and crew) were outstanding. The stunt team alone should've won numerous awards.
True. But I basically had to say to myself, "OK, this is a superhero movie" in order to get into it. I had to suspend my disbelief and acknowledge these folks can do some magic stuff. Then I was good.
@@playedout148 I always justified the flying/superhero type moves as part of the story, like we are being told ancient legends that have been exaggerated/romanticised over the years of retellings. Cultural stories that contain lessons.
@playedout148 more appropriate is Wu-Xia movie. It basically means a fantasy movie with wire work.
Then you definitely must see the James Bond movie Die Another Day! It has top-notch swordfighting between women and women and between men. Early in the movie there is a terrifying swordfight between Bond and the bad guy in a fencing school owned by Madonna. It looks extremely deadly! How could they even film it?
AND
the two Quentin Tarantino Kill Bill movies! They contain lots of attractive women sword fighting awesomely. The heroine protagonist is Uma, Mike, Uma!
Saw this in the theater. I think it's the first foreign language film I've ever gone to see at the movies. I was blown away.
I love love love LOVE that you reacted to this- it's one of my all-time faves. I will never not cry at the ending. Everyone is firing on all cylinders- the acting, directing, cinematography, editing, etc etc etc. It's just absolutely spectacular and a perfect example of what "film" can do. You should check out "House of Flying Daggers". The actress who plays Jen is in it, and it's another beautifully made film.
The meaning of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was that there were unseen masters all over. People skilled in their own arts.
If you enjoy this then House of The Flying Daggers is a must.
Brilliant film, for sure. Saw it in the theater when it first came out and was blown away. Since we're talking foreign films: A few more that are AMAZING:
"WINGS OF DESIRE" (another German film... this one about angels in Berlin... beautiful story and film), RUN LOLA RUN (German film that is action-packed and drama-drenched... and clever to boot!).... also: a couple of BRILLIANT underrated gems from here: "PLEASANTVILLE" (You'll adore this wonderful film that starts out a comedy and turns into so much more... with Tobey Maguire and Reece Witherspoon) and "STRANGER THAN FICTION" with Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson... also Dustin Hoffman,, Maggie Gylanhall. and Queen Latifah... one of the true hidden treasures of the last 20 years.
Yes to “Wings of Desire”!
There's also like NO electricity of any kind, too. So that should give you some hints. No street lamps; no flashlights; no lighting in the homes besides lanterns and candles, etc. You get the idea.
Thank you for watching this movie and in the native language too! My favorite movie in the martial arts genre and one of my top 10 favorites of all time! The ending was so beautiful yet so heartbreaking.
Asian movies have a very different feeling and way of storytelling compared to western cinema.
Another great one to watch is: Hero (with Yet Li)
That was a pleasure. I'm glad you both enjoyed it.
The story [Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon] is set during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), but it does not specify an exact time. Lee sought to present a "China of the imagination" rather than an accurate vision of Chinese history. At the same time, Lee also wanted to make a film that Western audiences would want to see.
Started out as the most quiet reaction iv'e watched here yet, to one of the funnest! Really enjoyable, thanks for this.
the "floating" is a part of kung fu legend...
OMG! Suggestions: Hero - an extremely beautiful movie (Jet Li), and Forbidden Kingdom (Jackie Chan and Jet Li)
House of Flying Daggers is also an awesome film of this genre.
Shout out to Yo-Yo Ma, squeezing every last drop of emotion out of his million dollar cello in this film's score.
That was him? Wow, I'm still learning new things about this move in 2024.. thanks hugh
I feel there's a lot of culture barriers with this wuxia genre that most casual viewers won't get.