Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a true gem of a movie. Drop everything and go see it, if you haven't already. Be prepared for the English subtitles--the film is in Mandarin. Also be prepared for stunning scenery, be it the densely populated cities, or the sweeping magnificence of the desert. Then there's the action, martial arts like never seen before, where combat is not a battle of testosterone loosely thrown into a story, but rather an integral part of the plot.

The film has two major themes--love and the meaning of life. At the outset it would seem the two stars are Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh, both of whom have achieved success in the Hollywood market, Yun-Fat in Anna and the King, and Yeoh in Tomorrow Never Dies. Yun-Fat plays a Li Mu Bai, Wudan master of renown, has decided to retire his sword, the Green Destiny. Yeoh's character, Yu Shu Lien, takes the sword to a local elder for safe-keeping, whereupon it is promptly stolen.

The thrust of the plot then moves from the understated love story between Li and Yu Shu, to the next generation, where we meet Jen, the daughter of a governmental official, who is soon to be married, but distressed that marriage means her life is over. As the story unfolds, we find out more and more about Jen, and the complexity of her life.

The story moves around then, from action, to philosophy, to revenge, and to some rather startling love scenes, all interwoven so carefully that you don't notice as you are lead from one plot idea into the next.

The scene that has attracted so much attention--the martial arts confrontation between Yu Shu and Jen happens early in the movie. Over rooftops, up and down walls, and will moves that are breathtaking to see, the pair seem limitless in what they can do. Yet never does it seem gratuitous or arbitrary, it's all just wonderful.

I loved this movie, and can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it over and over again to try and absorb some of subtlety. It is so artfully done, so gentle, and yet so majestic that one screening won't do it. And then there's the music, a delightful combination of ancient drumming and cello solos from Yo-Yo Ma. Whatever you do, don't miss Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it is truly delightful.


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