With apologies in advance for what I'm about to ask out of white British ignorance, but would it be fair to say that the titular idiom George refers to - a place of many hidden masters - shares some narrative DNA with the setting in Kung Fu Hustle?
yes it does! the phrase is actually really old and a very common trope in Wuxia. its part of a 5th century poem, 2 lines consisting of 10 characters: 暗石疑藏虎，盤根似臥龍. it translates to "behind the rock in the dark likely hides a tiger, and the coiling giant root resembles a crouching dragon" So the title of the movie and the idiom took the last 2 words of each line and swapped the description. there is also a second meaning that referrs to underlying emotions and desires beneath a mask of society expectation and politeness.
@@CineBingeReact Thanks for elaborating on this! And the multiple meanings, of the versatility of using tigers and dragons to refer to these Forces At Play - powerful figures out in the world, powerful drives invisible in our hearts. Beautiful
@@CineBingeReact would you guys consider watching the Legend of Fong Sai Yuk, grew up with this one and the second one mainly because Jet Li was in the movie.
Same, I'd love to listen to an hour/half hour pod of just George going off & explaining and/or giving his views on the more cultural stuff. It's always fascinated me but being from the US with our terrible education system I feel taking a class from some white dude wouldn't give a proper learning
My favorite moment is when they're sitting silently together at the table almost holding hands, staring away. So little communicating so much. The most heartbreaking love story ever. When he tells her he has wasted his whole life, even though he is the most celebrated man of his time, because he refrained from sharing his love with her, it kills me. I'm so in love with Michelle Yeoh. What a woman!
Her first reaction was wow she’s really young here. Michelle Yeoh was nearly forty here. I first saw her a couple of years earlier in the James Bond movie and couldn’t believe she was 20 years older than me. She still is beautiful !
Having just seen Everything, Everywhere All At Once she does look incredibly young here! Especially since I'm a lot closer to forty now than when I last watched Crouching Tiger... 😄
@@korganrocks3995 agreed but her character in everywhere is supposed be be frumpy looking and look her age but in reality she’s still stunning and not just for her age. I’m 42 now and I still would!
The fight in the armory with Michelle and Zhang remains my favourite movie fight scene of all time. The music, choreography, storytelling and character development in it are perfection.
Interesting thing I learned recently is that Yeoh actually had torn knee ligaments when they were filming that fight scene, so she moves a lot less than originally intended.
The "some other language" song at 23:56 has a Turkish chorus. In case you are wondering, the repeated phrase "güzel kız, havalı kız" means "beautiful girl, cool girl".
I was 12 years old when I saw this movie. It is still one of my favourite movies. True masterpiece. Those scenes when they're "flying" over the trees. So beautiful 🥰
Please do Hero! The temple fight in this movie and the fight between Donnie Yen and Jet Li is just out of this world. I love these movies please do more!
This movie is one of the reasons I've always admired martial arts movies: the years of practice and mastery the principal actors have over their physical discipline. And if they can act, so much the better.
The best martial arts, love story ever! I've watched this movie so many times and I love more each time I watch it. The cast is perfect. The writing is god tier. The cinematography is out of this world. The music composition and Yo-Yo Ma's cello work are transcendent. It is truly a masterpiece.
@@Vulcanerd Yep, she was in a film back in '98 called "The Emperor and the Assassin".. I remember she lit up the screen.. stole the show.. Beautiful and stunning..
This was my first Subtitled film i ever saw in theaters as a teenager, i saw it in theaters 3 times and i film i can rewatch and never get bored of. There are so many great elements to this film and it's one of Ang Lee's best.
I was a 15-year-old Finnish teen when I saw this, I had basically zero knowledge of the cultural context, but the beauty of this movie is that it absolutely still works without any of it, you don't realize that you're missing anything.
I saw this film at the cinema, in Edinburgh. I had missed the original release here in the UK, but while at uni in the Scottish borders, I visited the capital with a friend, we passed this MINISCULE little theater and saw it was on a limited run. Quickly, we finished our town business, dumped all our things at his and tore across town back there. As we waited out the last few minutes before the showing started, we discovered that miniscule Scottish arthouse cinemas are amongst the most civilised in the world, as we were offered beers which we were then invited to take in with us. The room had maybe 30 seats, all huge and soft and perfect. Literally the only thing that detracted from that otherwise perfect experience, was the giggling of 2 young women behind us during the first night chase scene. To their credit, however, they left the film sobbing at the end. Blissful.
My favorite memory of this movie is of opening night in theater in Savannah, Ga (the south in the US). It was sold out. Adults and children. Not a single person left when they found out it was subtitled. It was such an amazing experience!
George: "It's the same guy who directed Lust, Caution." It's also the same guy who directed Brokeback Mountain so he definitely knows his romantic isolated wilderness scenes.
Possibly my FAVOURITE movie. Limited screening in The UK in the 200sI got the train over to York from Hull. A cinema over The River Ouse - it had a cafe and sofas and I got too see that magical movie. A grand day out.
A beautiful film in every way. Hits every emotion just right. The best word to describe Ang Lee's films is "lyrical". Every frame is like being inside of a living heartbeat.
This is definitely one of my favorite movies - the choreography of the fight scenes were really amazing to watch, but the tragic love story between Mu Bua and Shu Lien will always be the heart of the movie for me. I think this was one of Zhang Ziyi's first films as well and she did such a great job in it. Kudos to Ang Lee... Hoping the RUclips algorithm is positive enough for you to react to other films like Hero, House of Flying Daggers etc
I've always loved this film. I actually got my mom (before she passed) to watch this -- she was a musician, actress, and dancer (among other things), and while she never liked martial arts movies, I told her that she had to see the choreography, and she loved it as well. On a related note, I've never been to mainland China, but my brother has in-laws in Taiwan that we visited years ago and got to see places that looked a lot like places in this movie (a bamboo forest, a temple with a huge staircase leading to it, etc.). We also spent a few days in the Penghu islands (it was very rustic -- one restaurant didn't even offer chopsticks, let alone western utensils). The rest rooms were an adventure, to say the least. The family was very well-to-do -- one of my sister-in-law's grandfather's had been a friend of Chiang Kai Shek(sp?) and was given a Peacock as a gift (the Peacock was still alive).
The 'feels' in this film we're incredible. The scene when he gets the green destiny back and does some form in the court yard by himself is amazing and inspired my tai chi sword epiphany. When the sword sings like that, I love it.
22:50 I've not been to China so I can't really compare the two, but if you want to see amazing desert landscapes a little closer to home, might I recommend Utah. The Moab area is really cool and Canyonlands National Park is a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Meaning there's little to no artificial light sources for miles. So the night skies are really something to see.
@28:32 i see Simone was getting ready to cry. Man, what a masterpiece! I miss those days, when cinema really had such an impact on us that even after decades we were thinking about that special movie. Today, (most) movies are so empty and without a compelling story that we forget it the next day or after a week at most.
The movie was so good that I re-watched countless time. This is the first reaction video that I have to go back to watch the second time, George deserves a pat on his back.
wanted to add that the last movie I seen you react to was Everything Everywhere All At Once. Which is my fave movie of the last few years! And now yer doing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Which is my fave movie ever! ♥
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is one part of one novel in a sequence. The story includes 'Sir Te' (Be La Ye) other characters mentioned to be dead, like Li Mu Bai's master, who also slept with Jade Fox before she was Jade Fox and set all this in motion, as she couldn't read and write well enough for him to teach. This plays out in the scene where older Jade Fox has been overtaken by her student and doesn't know, as she learned from the pictures, not the text. Thwarted love becomes hatred and revenge, wasting so many lives.
Huge credit to Woo Ping Yuen, who choreographed these fights and hundreds of others in HK cinema. After this he did all the Matrix work as well as Kill Bill and a bunch of western stuff and then went back to HK cinema for other movies that are beloved like Fearless, Forbidden Kingdom, multiple Ip Man(s) etc. An absolute legend of choreography.
This movie is a masterpiece. It mesmerizes you, takes you on a fantastic journey with gorgeous surroundings, through every emotion. And all that without being loud. It respects every aspect it draws inspiration from. It's one of those movies that you have to take a moment after it ends to gather your thoughts. Everything about it is just pure beauty.
Lets not forget to give credit to Chen Pei-Pei(Jade Fox) ... One of the first female action stars and a staple of the early Wuxia movies like Come Drink with Me
It's so fun to see when a movie really affects Simone, because at the closing credits she's just all really subdued and quiet. I love seeing the post movie wrap up thoughts as you guys take some time to process how you feel about a film. I always really get a lot out of that and I love it when it's longer than usual.
Subtitles couldn't translate the real sayings & implications fully. What's really meaningful were left unsaid sometimes! I share your sentiment! This is a masterpiece indeed! 👍🤗
that kind of courtyard in the middle of the house was also something that was done a lot in the mediterranean a lot I believe. Unfortunately, without the mass housing approach we would just not have enough space for all the humans that we became...I mean even with that cities get bigger and bigger and living room smaller and smaller. Hero is good. Tai Chi was a fine movie with Jet Li too I believe but George what about "The Red Cliff"? Could that be something worth reacting to? Personally I like the movie but it would be interesting to have your insights/perspective on it.
I remember being 12 years old sitting in the computer lab at school, waiting patiently in front of a purple shelled iMac, for the trailer to this movie to load…Maybe 30 minutes for a 2 minute trailer.
I just saw the movie last night. I can not believe I didn’t see it in 2000. This movie is without a doubt a masterpiece in all respects! Moving, exciting with a heart-wrenching love story. It’s left me with a hunger to learn more about the story telling of the orient! Amazing movie in all aspects.
I always enjoy watching you two react because you are obviously having such a good time. With this one, however, there was a bonus! George your observations on the historical/cultural context, the classical "Shakespearean" idiom of the language used, the Taoist connection to Wudan, the "place of hidden masters," etc., etc. really brought something extra to the table, and further deepened my understanding and my already high regard for this film. Thank you, and please by all means do Hero, House of Flying Daggers and other films in this genre. I would really enjoy hearing your informed take on more films from China in particular, and Asia generally.
Happy Happy year of the Rabbit. I just wanted you to know George that I personally love it when you give us little bits of knowledge of things and when you say "now kithss". It gets me every time amigo
An absolute masterpiece. I couldn't believe what I was watching sitting in the theatre at the time - the action, the cinematography, the writing, all topped off by one of the most affecting love stories I have ever seen.
The Sword shown by Sir Te was made with craftsmanship in the early Qin Dynasty (246 BC to 206 BC , the first feudal dynasty in Chinese history). The story in the movie takes place around the 1800 AD , the Qing Dynasty (the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history).This sword has survived 2000 years in the story. It is an ancient sword , a real treasure.
Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers, and The Promise are my three top ‘modern’ martial art dramas. Hero is a close fourth, all though that was more due to the incredible design, color, and cinematography than the actual story.
So thats how you pronounce Wuxia! Good to know. Im writing my own books pretty much a love story to Wuxia style. I love Wuxia movies. I love Reign of Assassins. Yeoh, is in that too!
Wow literally 2nd reactor to do this movie today! Kool! ♥ The look of love on her face while she's waatching Li practicing. She deserved an oscar for this movie! Everything is beautiful bout this movie: fighting, cinematography, even the language! ♥ That 'ghost by yer side' line! So sad/romantic! ♥ how they let you decide if Jen got her wish
No cap - George had me floored in this reaction - “staring at the stars . . . practicing lines”😂😂😂. Also good to hear some of the cultural history behind one of my favorite films. Kudos
YEEEEEEES TO HERO!!!! PLEASE! It's so spectacular. And maybe Curse of the Golden Flower? And House of Flying Daggers? Pretty please with a cherry on top
A Chinese woman I used to work with went back to Hong Kong to visit family shortly after this movie became a big hit. She discovered that one of her nephews was dating the young girl and got to meet her (The trip included a couple of weeks in mainland China). Needless to say, all of the male grad students we worked with wanted an introduction. The fact we live in Canada kind of put a damper on that.
23:54 I was sat between a couple of Turkish friends in the theater the second time I saw this movie. They weren't enjoying the film, unfortunately, but when Dark Cloud started singing this song, they both lurched forward and looked at each other with wide eyes. I think Dark Cloud is singing in Uyghur. Turkish and Uyghur are both members of the Turkic language family, and there is some degree of mutual intelligibility between the two, so my Turkish friends were surprised when they heard it. I don't speak Uyghur myself, and what little Turkish I know is rusty, but I did make out two words that I understood: "güzel kız," which means "beautiful girl."
This movie is exquisite in every way. Thank-you, for reacting to it! And thanks to George, for giving us cultural context. Another film I hope you'd consider reacting to is, House of Flying Daggers. The 'superhuman' choreography in both films is astounding!! I have to say though, my favorite is the Drum Dance from the second film. The tension of the scene is palpable, and I can't imagine how anyone/anything could be more graceful. Lovely!!
This movie made me fall in love with the language. Now over 20 years later I am trying to learn by myself but it's haaaard 🤣 This is one of my favourite movies!
I love this movie so much, it's basically the Star Wars prequels in one film, only so much better. You've got mystical warriors, a young prodigy torn between good and evil and forbidden love affairs - all with impeccable acting, stunning cinematography and one of the best scores i've ever heard.
I always thought that hairstyle was pretty awesome, as a USA kid growing up, 13yo when this came out. I admired this film, still do. I'm super happy you guys made it a point to do this film for the New Year.
Man I remember watching this when I was 12, being taken to the cinema by my family for the weekend release and this is still such a fantastic classic to me. Before seeing this, I knew of Chow Yun-fat in older Chinese films like the God of Gamblers series of films and Hard Boiled, and Michelle Yeoh as a former Bond girl from Tomorrow Never Dies, so I knew this was going to be a treat. Rewatching it today for Chinese New Year and it still holds up and it's still a joy to watch!
This was great! Thanks for sharing this with us. You guys should definitely do the Once Upon a Time in China series for some Jet Li. I'm a big fan of stuff like Deadfull Melody, the Bride with White Hair, and the Swordsman series which I don't think anyone has reacted to. I'd love to see more stuff like this from you two.
This movie is weird. The original novel it's loosely based on is Chinese, but the script for the movie was written in English and changed half the characters' names. Then they translated it into Mandarin and filmed it, changing all the names back. Then the subtitles were added based on the script and adds back the alternate names. But the English DUB keeps the original names. And then Netflix made a sequel that was FILMED in English and again uses the alternate names.
I loved this movie and I used to watch the dvd so many times when it came out. I haven't watched it in so many years, that was amazing, I loved the reaction. And the little inputs you were giving about the story, culture etc in the movie were gold. loved it
"It's such a weird hairstyle to have." So is a tonsure. Or a mohawk. Different times, different cultures, different hairstyles. All you really need to know about it is that it's signifying that the movie takes place in another time and/or place. And the weird haircuts signify that.
Ang Lee does such sublime films in so many different genres. Would love to see you guys check out another one of his gems, The Wedding Banquet - such a hilarious yet heartfelt and poignant story about family and clash of different cultures.
Thanks so much for watching this. I saw it in a theater during its initial release, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since. I remember seeing all the "flying" and levitating for the first time, and it seemed weirdly believable -- distinct from straightforward super hero movies I'd grown up with. (Although seeing Christopher Reeve's Superman fly for the first time was kind of memorable.)
I have hardly seen this since it was released, but was fascinated by it at the time. It's cool to hear George give some of the context. Please, please do the Wuxia trilogy by Zhang Yimou. Those movies were released only a few years after this but had even more outstanding visuals and choreographies. Especially Hero (2002) blew my mind!
Correction: wudan pie (wu-tang clan) just like shaolin, it’s not fictional, it’s an actual temple (Taoism) build on top of the mountain you can actually visit, you can also find video clips of actual wudan (wu-tang) disciples/protege demonstrate their martial art skills
I remember when I travelled China, like a hundred years ago, I wanted to visit a couple locations from this movie, on my way to Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains). One was the town with that Moon lake or pond, and the other one was near the bamboo forest, where you could spend the night at some really old house, like a thousand year old. Probably nowadays all those places have become too touristic. On the other hand, did you know that "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" is also a expression used in financial markets, to describe those uncommonly quiet markets, as opposed to volatile markets, and where you may spot the best opportunities, before the tiger roars.
What I love about Ang Lee is how varied his filmography is. You have his early 90s Father Knows Best trilogy (Pushing Hands, The Wedding Banquet and Eat Drink Man Woman) all starring Sihung Lung (Sir Te in this film), to Pride and Prejudice and Brokeback Mountain. I definitely recommend looking for the FKB trilogy. I own the latter two. Each have different plots/topics where the thread between them all is Sihung.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
With apologies in advance for what I'm about to ask out of white British ignorance, but would it be fair to say that the titular idiom George refers to - a place of many hidden masters - shares some narrative DNA with the setting in Kung Fu Hustle?
yes it does! the phrase is actually really old and a very common trope in Wuxia. its part of a 5th century poem, 2 lines consisting of 10 characters: 暗石疑藏虎，盤根似臥龍. it translates to "behind the rock in the dark likely hides a tiger, and the coiling giant root resembles a crouching dragon"
So the title of the movie and the idiom took the last 2 words of each line and swapped the description. there is also a second meaning that referrs to underlying emotions and desires beneath a mask of society expectation and politeness.
Ok best comment let's goooo 👏
@@CineBingeReact Thanks for elaborating on this! And the multiple meanings, of the versatility of using tigers and dragons to refer to these Forces At Play - powerful figures out in the world, powerful drives invisible in our hearts. Beautiful
@@CineBingeReact would you guys consider watching the Legend of Fong Sai Yuk, grew up with this one and the second one mainly because Jet Li was in the movie.
Now that George has shown one of the greatest Chinese/World movies it’s time to break out the greatest Canadian/World movie:
Strange Brew
I love it when George provides explanation and context about his culture. Its adds so much! Thank you, George!
I love the context and gravitas George brings to these reactions.
Same, I'd love to listen to an hour/half hour pod of just George going off & explaining and/or giving his views on the more cultural stuff. It's always fascinated me but being from the US with our terrible education system I feel taking a class from some white dude wouldn't give a proper learning
I concur 🥰
I know right? Once he told us canadians use this sacred sauce known as "maple syrup" for breakfast it blew my mind
Yes, now when George points is out I can hear the guy saying 到外面去打了 hey,go fight outside！😂
My favorite moment is when they're sitting silently together at the table almost holding hands, staring away. So little communicating so much. The most heartbreaking love story ever. When he tells her he has wasted his whole life, even though he is the most celebrated man of his time, because he refrained from sharing his love with her, it kills me. I'm so in love with Michelle Yeoh. What a woman!
Her first reaction was wow she’s really young here. Michelle Yeoh was nearly forty here. I first saw her a couple of years earlier in the James Bond movie and couldn’t believe she was 20 years older than me. She still is beautiful !
Having just seen Everything, Everywhere All At Once she does look incredibly young here! Especially since I'm a lot closer to forty now than when I last watched Crouching Tiger... 😄
@@korganrocks3995 agreed but her character in everywhere is supposed be be frumpy looking and look her age but in reality she’s still stunning and not just for her age. I’m 42 now and I still would!
Happy Chinese New Years! 新年快乐! 恭喜發財!
Happy New Year. Do we get "Fat Choi Spirit" next year? ;)
Kung Hei Fat Choi George and Simone!
新年快樂
2023, Water Rabbit! Xīnnián kuàilè.
恭喜發財！
The fight in the armory with Michelle and Zhang remains my favourite movie fight scene of all time. The music, choreography, storytelling and character development in it are perfection.
Interesting thing I learned recently is that Yeoh actually had torn knee ligaments when they were filming that fight scene, so she moves a lot less than originally intended.
Oh wow, George is the PERFECT reactor for this movie.
So true. Love those little bits of extra cultural information he throws in.
Chinese with Jessie was also pretty good on this film.
@@samovarsa2640 I agree. Had some really interesting further context and analysis.
When he said “you’re about to see one of the greatest scenes of choreography” I shouted out ‘you’re goddamn right George!’ 😂
@@parabolica127 while not exactly the same, I did say out loud "F***IN' RIGHT!?" in response to the same statement
The "some other language" song at 23:56 has a Turkish chorus. In case you are wondering, the repeated phrase "güzel kız, havalı kız" means "beautiful girl, cool girl".
I was 12 years old when I saw this movie. It is still one of my favourite movies. True masterpiece. Those scenes when they're "flying" over the trees. So beautiful 🥰
Please do Hero! The temple fight in this movie and the fight between Donnie Yen and Jet Li is just out of this world. I love these movies please do more!
Yes! I much prefer it to this one.
Yes! Hero is fantastic, has ridiculously good cinematography and has a cool non linear story. If love to here George's take on Hero.
This movie is one of the reasons I've always admired martial arts movies: the years of practice and mastery the principal actors have over their physical discipline. And if they can act, so much the better.
The best martial arts, love story ever! I've watched this movie so many times and I love more each time I watch it. The cast is perfect. The writing is god tier. The cinematography is out of this world. The music composition and Yo-Yo Ma's cello work are transcendent. It is truly a masterpiece.
The house design was popularized in Morocco and called a Riad. Wealthy Romans had their own version, and of course China's Siheyuan.
I love this movie even more now with George explaining some things. Thanks for the education on culture ❤
House of Flying Daggers to me is extremely underrated. You guys should definitely consider!
yeah, i love that movie
100%.. Curse of the Golden flower is really good as well..
@@Vulcanerd Yep, she was in a film back in '98 called "The Emperor and the Assassin".. I remember she lit up the screen.. stole the show.. Beautiful and stunning..
I found HoFD to be one of the most visually stunning movies. Pure eye candy.
@@PastaDon_ Zhang Yimou's recent film "Shadow" is excellent as well.
The part where Li Mu Bai puts her hand on his face is so touching.
For me, the best metaphor in the entire movie is in the opening minutes, with the cart following the deep ruts carved into the cobblestones.
Interesting point.
This was my first Subtitled film i ever saw in theaters as a teenager, i saw it in theaters 3 times and i film i can rewatch and never get bored of. There are so many great elements to this film and it's one of Ang Lee's best.
I was a 15-year-old Finnish teen when I saw this, I had basically zero knowledge of the cultural context, but the beauty of this movie is that it absolutely still works without any of it, you don't realize that you're missing anything.
I saw this film at the cinema, in Edinburgh. I had missed the original release here in the UK, but while at uni in the Scottish borders, I visited the capital with a friend, we passed this MINISCULE little theater and saw it was on a limited run. Quickly, we finished our town business, dumped all our things at his and tore across town back there.
As we waited out the last few minutes before the showing started, we discovered that miniscule Scottish arthouse cinemas are amongst the most civilised in the world, as we were offered beers which we were then invited to take in with us. The room had maybe 30 seats, all huge and soft and perfect.
Literally the only thing that detracted from that otherwise perfect experience, was the giggling of 2 young women behind us during the first night chase scene. To their credit, however, they left the film sobbing at the end.
Blissful.
Asian Movies like Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle, Crouching Tiger, Police Story etc. are really the best with George giving all that background info.
This movie genre is wuxia, which means martial art expert + romance + moral value. Its not your typical kung-fu movie like IPman or Police story
My favorite memory of this movie is of opening night in theater in Savannah, Ga (the south in the US). It was sold out. Adults and children. Not a single person left when they found out it was subtitled. It was such an amazing experience!
George: "It's the same guy who directed Lust, Caution." It's also the same guy who directed Brokeback Mountain so he definitely knows his romantic isolated wilderness scenes.
Possibly my FAVOURITE movie.
Limited screening in The UK in the 200sI got the train over to York from Hull. A cinema over The River Ouse - it had a cafe and sofas and I got too see that magical movie.
A grand day out.
A beautiful film in every way. Hits every emotion just right. The best word to describe Ang Lee's films is "lyrical". Every frame is like being inside of a living heartbeat.
Such a rich example of beautiful storytelling. Agree with George, ‘Hero’ is such a visual treat it should definitely be watched/ experienced
This is definitely one of my favorite movies - the choreography of the fight scenes were really amazing to watch, but the tragic love story between Mu Bua and Shu Lien will always be the heart of the movie for me. I think this was one of Zhang Ziyi's first films as well and she did such a great job in it. Kudos to Ang Lee... Hoping the RUclips algorithm is positive enough for you to react to other films like Hero, House of Flying Daggers etc
Absolutely the best reaction/review I have ever seen on RUclips. This movie was so enhanced with George's knowledge of Chinese culture!
I've always loved this film. I actually got my mom (before she passed) to watch this -- she was a musician, actress, and dancer (among other things), and while she never liked martial arts movies, I told her that she had to see the choreography, and she loved it as well.
On a related note, I've never been to mainland China, but my brother has in-laws in Taiwan that we visited years ago and got to see places that looked a lot like places in this movie (a bamboo forest, a temple with a huge staircase leading to it, etc.). We also spent a few days in the Penghu islands (it was very rustic -- one restaurant didn't even offer chopsticks, let alone western utensils). The rest rooms were an adventure, to say the least.
The family was very well-to-do -- one of my sister-in-law's grandfather's had been a friend of Chiang Kai Shek(sp?) and was given a Peacock as a gift (the Peacock was still alive).
The 'feels' in this film we're incredible. The scene when he gets the green destiny back and does some form in the court yard by himself is amazing and inspired my tai chi sword epiphany. When the sword sings like that, I love it.
22:50 I've not been to China so I can't really compare the two, but if you want to see amazing desert landscapes a little closer to home, might I recommend Utah. The Moab area is really cool and Canyonlands National Park is a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Meaning there's little to no artificial light sources for miles. So the night skies are really something to see.
One of the best fight scenes of all time! The superior, experienced fighter vs the young prodigy with the superior weapon.
I love this movie. The peaceful scenery have also so much power. Fighting choreographie obove the highest level just awesome.
George is right, that training yard fight when Michelle Yeoh goes through all the weapons is the greatest choreography ever in a film.
@28:32 i see Simone was getting ready to cry. Man, what a masterpiece! I miss those days, when cinema really had such an impact on us that even after decades we were thinking about that special movie. Today, (most) movies are so empty and without a compelling story that we forget it the next day or after a week at most.
The movie was so good that I re-watched countless time. This is the first reaction video that I have to go back to watch the second time, George deserves a pat on his back.
wanted to add that the last movie I seen you react to was Everything Everywhere All At Once. Which is my fave movie of the last few years!
And now yer doing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Which is my fave movie ever! ♥
Not only are the action sequences epic, but one of the most beautiful, unique, and powerful stories ever told on film.
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is one part of one novel in a sequence.
The story includes 'Sir Te' (Be La Ye) other characters mentioned to be dead, like Li Mu Bai's master, who also slept with Jade Fox before she was Jade Fox and set all this in motion, as she couldn't read and write well enough for him to teach.
This plays out in the scene where older Jade Fox has been overtaken by her student and doesn't know, as she learned from the pictures, not the text.
Thwarted love becomes hatred and revenge, wasting so many lives.
I've only started the video, but I've heard that Michelle Yeoh learned her lines phonetically for this movie, as she didn't yet speak Mandarin
Huge credit to Woo Ping Yuen, who choreographed these fights and hundreds of others in HK cinema. After this he did all the Matrix work as well as Kill Bill and a bunch of western stuff and then went back to HK cinema for other movies that are beloved like Fearless, Forbidden Kingdom, multiple Ip Man(s) etc. An absolute legend of choreography.
George thank you so much for the extra context! It really lets me see this film in a new light :) Also, happy new year!
This movie is a masterpiece. It mesmerizes you, takes you on a fantastic journey with gorgeous surroundings, through every emotion. And all that without being loud. It respects every aspect it draws inspiration from. It's one of those movies that you have to take a moment after it ends to gather your thoughts. Everything about it is just pure beauty.
Lets not forget to give credit to Chen Pei-Pei(Jade Fox) ... One of the first female action stars and a staple of the early Wuxia movies like Come Drink with Me
It's so fun to see when a movie really affects Simone, because at the closing credits she's just all really subdued and quiet. I love seeing the post movie wrap up thoughts as you guys take some time to process how you feel about a film. I always really get a lot out of that and I love it when it's longer than usual.
Simone's reaction to the ending was the best. So pure
I can only imagine how much better this masterpiece must be for those not needing subtitles :) I'm truly envious.
Subtitles couldn't translate the real sayings & implications fully. What's really meaningful were left unsaid sometimes! I share your sentiment! This is a masterpiece indeed! 👍🤗
that kind of courtyard in the middle of the house was also something that was done a lot in the mediterranean a lot I believe. Unfortunately, without the mass housing approach we would just not have enough space for all the humans that we became...I mean even with that cities get bigger and bigger and living room smaller and smaller.
Hero is good. Tai Chi was a fine movie with Jet Li too I believe but George what about "The Red Cliff"? Could that be something worth reacting to? Personally I like the movie but it would be interesting to have your insights/perspective on it.
Oh I love this movie so much, thank you for finally watching it.
I truly forgot how good this was and how totally amazing the choreography is it's also beautiful to look at.
12:59 in love with simone's trekkies comments,Bat'Leth is the name of the klingon weapond.
I remember being 12 years old sitting in the computer lab at school, waiting patiently in front of a purple shelled iMac, for the trailer to this movie to load…Maybe 30 minutes for a 2 minute trailer.
Loving this reaction. One of my favorite movies-any genre, any time period.
One of the best movies ever. Chinese historical/Historical fantasy movies are so incredible
I just saw the movie last night. I can not believe I didn’t see it in 2000. This movie is without a doubt a masterpiece in all respects! Moving, exciting with a heart-wrenching love story. It’s left me with a hunger to learn more about the story telling of the orient! Amazing movie in all aspects.
Happy Chinese New Year! I love the score to this film. Literally everything about this movie is beautiful.
Hero & Crouching Tiger are all-time classics. Thank you for giving those movies some love.
This is what masterpiece filmmaking looks like.
I always enjoy watching you two react because you are obviously having such a good time. With this one, however, there was a bonus! George your observations on the historical/cultural context, the classical "Shakespearean" idiom of the language used, the Taoist connection to Wudan, the "place of hidden masters," etc., etc. really brought something extra to the table, and further deepened my understanding and my already high regard for this film. Thank you, and please by all means do Hero, House of Flying Daggers and other films in this genre. I would really enjoy hearing your informed take on more films from China in particular, and Asia generally.
Happy Happy year of the Rabbit. I just wanted you to know George that I personally love it when you give us little bits of knowledge of things and when you say "now kithss". It gets me every time amigo
An absolute masterpiece. I couldn't believe what I was watching sitting in the theatre at the time - the action, the cinematography, the writing, all topped off by one of the most affecting love stories I have ever seen.
The Sword shown by Sir Te was made with craftsmanship in the early Qin Dynasty (246 BC to 206 BC , the first feudal dynasty in Chinese history). The story in the movie takes place around the 1800 AD , the Qing Dynasty (the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history).This sword has survived 2000 years in the story. It is an ancient sword , a real treasure.
This movie is top 5 all time imo. Nothing will ever change my mind and I will die on this hill.
Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers, and The Promise are my three top ‘modern’ martial art dramas.
Hero is a close fourth, all though that was more due to the incredible design, color, and cinematography than the actual story.
George this is one of my fav movies ever but it was such a pleasure you gave me so much cultural context behind it. Cheers dude
So thats how you pronounce Wuxia! Good to know. Im writing my own books pretty much a love story to Wuxia style. I love Wuxia movies. I love Reign of Assassins. Yeoh, is in that too!
I lived on a military installation that had houses with little courtyards in the middle. They were built in the 1920s and are still there.
Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and for a different perspective, The Wedding Banquet!
From what I understand, this movie is the middle third of a book - there's a lot more story there.
Wow literally 2nd reactor to do this movie today! Kool! ♥ The look of love on her face while she's waatching Li practicing. She deserved an oscar for this movie!
Everything is beautiful bout this movie: fighting, cinematography, even the language! ♥
That 'ghost by yer side' line! So sad/romantic! ♥ how they let you decide if Jen got her wish
Who's the other reactor?
No cap - George had me floored in this reaction - “staring at the stars . . . practicing lines”😂😂😂. Also good to hear some of the cultural history behind one of my favorite films. Kudos
Seeing this on the big screen was amazing. The colour palette was breathtaking.
One of my favorite non-English movies ever. It makes me wonder how many great movies that English native speakers (like me) are missing.
YEEEEEEES TO HERO!!!! PLEASE! It's so spectacular. And maybe Curse of the Golden Flower? And House of Flying Daggers? Pretty please with a cherry on top
Hero has a fantastic soundtrak. Its also visual masterpiece
George, your insight and commentary on these films is always awesome.
A Chinese woman I used to work with went back to Hong Kong to visit family shortly after this movie became a big hit. She discovered that one of her nephews was dating the young girl and got to meet her (The trip included a couple of weeks in mainland China). Needless to say, all of the male grad students we worked with wanted an introduction. The fact we live in Canada kind of put a damper on that.
23:54 I was sat between a couple of Turkish friends in the theater the second time I saw this movie. They weren't enjoying the film, unfortunately, but when Dark Cloud started singing this song, they both lurched forward and looked at each other with wide eyes. I think Dark Cloud is singing in Uyghur. Turkish and Uyghur are both members of the Turkic language family, and there is some degree of mutual intelligibility between the two, so my Turkish friends were surprised when they heard it. I don't speak Uyghur myself, and what little Turkish I know is rusty, but I did make out two words that I understood: "güzel kız," which means "beautiful girl."
This movie is exquisite in every way. Thank-you, for reacting to it! And thanks to George, for giving us cultural context. Another film I hope you'd consider reacting to is, House of Flying Daggers. The 'superhuman' choreography in both films is astounding!! I have to say though, my favorite is the Drum Dance from the second film. The tension of the scene is palpable, and I can't imagine how anyone/anything could be more graceful. Lovely!!
This movie made me fall in love with the language. Now over 20 years later I am trying to learn by myself but it's haaaard 🤣
This is one of my favourite movies!
I love this movie so much, it's basically the Star Wars prequels in one film, only so much better. You've got mystical warriors, a young prodigy torn between good and evil and forbidden love affairs - all with impeccable acting, stunning cinematography and one of the best scores i've ever heard.
I always thought that hairstyle was pretty awesome, as a USA kid growing up, 13yo when this came out. I admired this film, still do. I'm super happy you guys made it a point to do this film for the New Year.
Man I remember watching this when I was 12, being taken to the cinema by my family for the weekend release and this is still such a fantastic classic to me. Before seeing this, I knew of Chow Yun-fat in older Chinese films like the God of Gamblers series of films and Hard Boiled, and Michelle Yeoh as a former Bond girl from Tomorrow Never Dies, so I knew this was going to be a treat. Rewatching it today for Chinese New Year and it still holds up and it's still a joy to watch!
I loved hearing Georges take on all of this. AND YES PLEASE. Hero and Jet Li films are a must.
George's reaction at 32:00 - so sweet! Also loved all cultural explanations and context, great reaction!
This was great! Thanks for sharing this with us. You guys should definitely do the Once Upon a Time in China series for some Jet Li. I'm a big fan of stuff like Deadfull Melody, the Bride with White Hair, and the Swordsman series which I don't think anyone has reacted to. I'd love to see more stuff like this from you two.
This movie is weird. The original novel it's loosely based on is Chinese, but the script for the movie was written in English and changed half the characters' names. Then they translated it into Mandarin and filmed it, changing all the names back. Then the subtitles were added based on the script and adds back the alternate names. But the English DUB keeps the original names.
And then Netflix made a sequel that was FILMED in English and again uses the alternate names.
I loved this movie and I used to watch the dvd so many times when it came out. I haven't watched it in so many years, that was amazing, I loved the reaction. And the little inputs you were giving about the story, culture etc in the movie were gold. loved it
"It's such a weird hairstyle to have."
So is a tonsure. Or a mohawk. Different times, different cultures, different hairstyles. All you really need to know about it is that it's signifying that the movie takes place in another time and/or place. And the weird haircuts signify that.
I distinctly remember my mom owning this movie on VHS, and I never watched it. I missed out. Great movie. Happy Chinese New Year!
I'd rather be a ghost beside you than in heaven without you. Beautiful
1, Happy New Year!
2, Simone is right: this is one of the best love stores on film.
3, OH MY GOD YES, PLEASE REACT TO HERO!
Ang Lee does such sublime films in so many different genres. Would love to see you guys check out another one of his gems, The Wedding Banquet - such a hilarious yet heartfelt and poignant story about family and clash of different cultures.
the fight and wire work are some of the very best put to film. i am sure of it. that ending as well. what a movie!
Thanks so much for watching this. I saw it in a theater during its initial release, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since. I remember seeing all the "flying" and levitating for the first time, and it seemed weirdly believable -- distinct from straightforward super hero movies I'd grown up with. (Although seeing Christopher Reeve's Superman fly for the first time was kind of memorable.)
I have hardly seen this since it was released, but was fascinated by it at the time. It's cool to hear George give some of the context. Please, please do the Wuxia trilogy by Zhang Yimou. Those movies were released only a few years after this but had even more outstanding visuals and choreographies. Especially Hero (2002) blew my mind!
Correction: wudan pie (wu-tang clan) just like shaolin, it’s not fictional, it’s an actual temple (Taoism) build on top of the mountain you can actually visit, you can also find video clips of actual wudan (wu-tang) disciples/protege demonstrate their martial art skills
I remember when I travelled China, like a hundred years ago, I wanted to visit a couple locations from this movie, on my way to Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains). One was the town with that Moon lake or pond, and the other one was near the bamboo forest, where you could spend the night at some really old house, like a thousand year old. Probably nowadays all those places have become too touristic. On the other hand, did you know that "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" is also a expression used in financial markets, to describe those uncommonly quiet markets, as opposed to volatile markets, and where you may spot the best opportunities, before the tiger roars.
Happy Chinese New Years!! I love this movie so much
Everybody was Kung Fu fighting , those kids were fast as lightning. In fact it was a little bit frightening but they fought with expert timing.
What I love about Ang Lee is how varied his filmography is.
You have his early 90s Father Knows Best trilogy (Pushing Hands, The Wedding Banquet and Eat Drink Man Woman) all starring Sihung Lung (Sir Te in this film), to Pride and Prejudice and Brokeback Mountain.
I definitely recommend looking for the FKB trilogy. I own the latter two. Each have different plots/topics where the thread between them all is Sihung.