Director, Ang Lee, immediately won me over with The Wedding Banquet. Since then, I’ve sought after all his features including, Eat Drink Man Woman, Pushing Hands, Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm and Ride with the Devil. Now with his latest, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I have put Lee up on a pedestal. I sincerely marvel at his unique ability to capture every nuance and delicacy of human relationships to the extent that his viewers, regardless of age and cultural background, may experience all the magic and inspired visions Lee wishes to communicate through his films.

Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh, Hong Kong’s two most renowned martial arts celebrities, star in this epic adventure of love, honor and integrity. When a sacred sword known as the Green Destiny is stolen, legendary warrior and martial arts master, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) joins forces with female warrior and lifelong friend, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) to prevent the powerful sword from falling in the hands of their evil adversary, Jade Fox. Although the film opens with Li Mu Bai resolving to give up his days as a warrior, when Jade Fox (who murdered his master) resurfaces, Li Mu Bai is determined to avenge his master’s death once and for all. Complicating matters, however, is Jade Fox’s young protégé (played by newcomer Zhang Ziyi) whose skillful combat skills impress both Li Mu Bai and Yu Shun Lien, but whose anger and naiveté threaten to harm all that they persevere to protect. Bloodshed is eminent but these warriors’ greatest weapons are self-discipline and faith. As such, their battles are as much about internal suffering and control as they are about physical dexterity and skill. Translated on the big screen with help from choreographer, Yuen Wo-Ping (The Matrix), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a visual masterpiece that mixes fantasy, skillful martial arts and gentle humor to stir emotions and delight audiences beyond their imagination.

If you enjoy marital arts movies, you won’t be disappointed with the moves and techniques that ricochet in and out of nearly every scene. And if you’ve never considered yourself a fan of this genre, prepare yourself for a surprising treat! Both Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi are trained ballerinas who execute each move, not only with grace, but also with enviable determination and strength. Watch for their gravity-defying footwork as these two women scale walls and fly over rooftops during the opening chase sequence. Just when you think that they must have body doubles, we get a close-up of their faces, focused and convincing. Needless to say, Chow Yun-Fat is yet again stoic in his performance. As the physically invincible, yet emotionally troubled master who must calm the storm and transform anger into a positive and righteous force, Chow Yun-Fat is magnificent in his delivery. His treetop duel with Jen is fearless and controlled, but at the same time, his exchange with this indignant youth is just as tender as his romantic interludes with Yu Shun Lien.

Exhilarating yet delicate, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is pure fantasy tied together by wise Chinese proverbs that give the audience a sense of magic and hope. Truly beautiful visually and in spirit, it gets a highly recommended **** rating.

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