Not for everyone of course, but as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best movies from the past fifteen years or so.
The following, somewhat breathless, review says it all.
I was totally captivated when I first saw this film. It took me a couple of seconds to realize where I was. It's rare that a film has such an impact on me. The cinematography was stunning. The special effects were beautifully done. The characters' moves were effortless. The acting was wonderful. I really think that Michelle Yeoh should have been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. I thought that the effects and storyline complimented each other brilliantly. There were so many different layers to the plot. There were many things that couldn't be explained with dialogue that were expressed in the characters' faces. This film had lighthearted moments, heart wrenching moments, romantic interludes, inspirational sentiments, wonderful plot twists, superb acting, beautifully done fight scenes, never before seen special effects...it had it all. Some scenes may have been a little over the top, but it's *fantasy*... and yet, after a few brief moments, it somehow became completely believable. That's how much this film draws you in. This is a one of a kind film; there is just no comparing it to any other. It transports you to another place and time.
Chow Yun Fat is simply unbelievable as Liu Mu Bai.he handles his character with great composure and you can tell his sense of loss when he loses the scared sword 'Destiny' to the very beautiful Zhang Ziyi. I highly recommend it.
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I was bopping around down Ye Olde DVD Knock-Off Shoppe the other week, when I found this one called "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny"....
....which seems to be some sort of Netflix follow-up to the first movie -- and that means neither Chow Yun Fat nor Zhang Ziyi appear in it, (bit of a bummer).
Not sure if it's got much of a plot, but then I'm only ten minutes into it so far. What it does seem to have is the same high production values and breath taking cinematography as the original.
Incredible sets and costumes; amazing vistas, brilliant music, and so on.
Can't claim that I'm expecting much more than that, in all honesty, but willing to stick with it.
