Both Jen and Michelle Yeoh's character yearned for the life they thought the other had: 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 Jen was young and impulsive, and her recklessness kept them both from what they wanted.
Sam loving the choreography so much tells us that you have to see both Hero and House of Flying Daggers, both have phenomenal choreography, visuals and deep emotional meaning.
I would love to see their reaction to both movies! “Hero” has a special place in my heart for such amazing visuals and storytelling telling. It’s quite a rare gem, if I don’t say so myself! I wished more reactors would be willing to watch cinema outside their own language/culture a bit and just appreciate different stories. Everyone on UA-cam just seems to watch the same movies. Anyway, cheers!
House of Flying Daggers has the same actress, Zhang Ziyi, that plays Jen in CTHD. She is caught in a true love triangle. Same great level of sets, chorography, and martial arts.
DON'T😠😠!! "Hero" was the first historical movie made by Zhang Yimou, and the only reason he shifted from modern to ancient background, was that CTHD won many Oscars. Zhang Yimou was famous for his mega-budget film making, so he stole elements from CTHD, making it bigger and more colorful, pulling every Oscar bait he could, so much he forgot the basic need for a movie - a good story. Not getting any Oscars, Zhang made "House of Flying Daggers", using what element he didn't use from CTHD, with a story stolen from the Hong Kong movie "Infernal Affair" (later became Martin Scorsese's "The Departed"). Like "Hero", "Flying Daggers" had many plot-holes, and bombed in box office.
This is what you get when you prioritize a good script, good actors, a compelling story, and innovation above models prancing around in front of cgi screens.
@@chrisguevaraDisagree. Maybe for a film with a 100+ million budget. But this film was made for pennies. They would see Oscar bait and let it stand as is.
@Papadoc1981 I don't know. When they preview a movie you know many of them would moan about the ending and they'd force them to change it. So many films get dumbed down because they listen to these silly focus groups.
I actually really like the final scenes of this movie because of Jen's growth as a character. She's not evil, just a spoiled, immature, impulsive kid corrupted by Jade Fox. Jen finally "grows up" and accepts responsibility for her role in Li Mu Bai's death in the scene where it looks like Shu Lien is going to execute her. Instead of dodging (which she would have done earlier in the movie), Jen sits there and was willing to accept her death. Shu Lien sees that Jen has matured and is accepting responsibility for the first time, and pulls back the sword back instead of killing Jen. I know that the final scene is open to interpretation, but I always thought that Jen was not committing suicide or sacrificing herself. I don't think she dies - remember that when Lo tells Jen the legend of the young man, Lo mentions that the young man jumped but did not die. Instead, I think that she is leaving Lo (in a very dramatic way - she could have just left before he woke up, but this is a movie after all). I think that Jen is denying herself her loving relationship with Lo as self-imposed penance for her role in Li Mu Bai's death - denying herself love in the same way that Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien were denied their love.
I've always thought that, in addition to following your heart, a second message is that you can't be true to yourself if you don't know who you are. While Li Mu Bai, Michelle Yeoh, Jade Fox, and Lo all want what they can't get, the difference with Jen is she doesn't know what she wants, only what she doesn't want, and that's why she rejects every good offer (to be with Lo, to train with Li Mu Bai) and ends up causing all the tragedy.
I've watched the fight scene between Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi more than any other - it's by far my favourite. I wish more directors incorporated wide shots and longer takes into their fights. Let people see and appreciate the work that goes into it, rather than relying on shakeycam and hyperactive editing to make a fight feel more chaotic. Lookin' at you, Paul Greengrass.
One of my all time favorite movies. I'm so glad I got to see this in the theaters back in the day and seen it countless times since. Touching, great drama with great actors and amazing choreography. Love the soundtrack too. The swordfight between Shu Lien and Jen has some of the best fighting choreography ever filmed. Still holds up so well.
Hero (2002) by Zhang Yimou is one you guys will love since you dug the fight choreography and wirework. Wuxia films defy the laws of physics but they're so fantasical
,His other fims _House of Flying Daggers_ and _Curse of the Golden Flower_ are also good, but _Hero_ has the best story and the use of color symbolism is fantastic.
I never saw Jen’s leap into the unknown as aimless. It was clear that she was fulfilling a wish and her wish was a sacrifice that didn’t directly involve THEIR romance. Which is why the look on his face was one of sadness. I am still of the mindset that her wish was to fix her mistakes and restore the OTHER love story.
Seriously one of the best films that I have ever watched and the twist at the end....just wow..... I LOVE Zhang Ziyi and this is one of her finest roles, and very early in her career. I would highly recommend another ZZ film called House of Flying Daggers, very good movie in every respect that I can think of to consider.
The trick this movie pulled, and why it's so celebrated, is that it managed to be a fantastic drama, while also being a fantastic martial arts flick! Martial arts, even to this day, is a fairly niche segment of the movie industry. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" brought it into the mainstream in a way that has rarely been done before, or since. In fact, I suspect it might have never been done, outside of this movie.
Yea I'm going to have to strongly disagree with the never been done before. Bruce Lee's Enter the dragon was the first to bring it to the mainstream so much so that it was Hollywood's first martial arts movie filmed overseas in Hong Kong.
2 other great films in this genre to watch, Hero and House of Flying Daggers, all 3 are absolutely gorgeous films with amazing cinematography and insane choreography!
One small correction: It got 10 nominations. This film ties the record for most nominations for a non-English language film (10 nominations, shared with ROMA (2018)) and also ties the record for most wins (4 wins, sharing it with FANNY AND ALEXANDER (1983), PARASITE (2019), and ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022)). Coincidentally, this film and ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT won the exact same 4 categories.
@@Bekka_Noyb I totally agree with you. The only other acceptable alternative would've been TRAFFIC for me. Funnily enough, TRAFFIC has the rare distinction of winning every nominated category except Picture (it also won 4 Oscars, in this case Director, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and Film Editing (Steven Soderbergh was double nominated for TRAFFIC and ERIN BROCKOVICH for Best Director in a single year and won for the former)).
@@Bekka_NoybGladiator is a massively, massively overrated film. I wouldn't even put it in the top ten Ridley Scott movies, but somehow it's considered a classic.
Don't try to pigeonhole we Americans. We are not homogeneous. We are deeply divided. Maybe half of us love this kind of ending and half insist on happy endings.
Modern storytelling is very much focused on redemption. Good people make bad decisions, and in the end, overcome them by power of friendship. However, folk tales and traditional story structure has one layer on top of redemption, Consequences. Yes, you can be redeemed, but your past catches up with you regardless
Jen did not commit suicide as Lo mentioned earlier that anyone that jumps off the bridge God will grant their wish. Right before Jen jumped, she asked Lo what is your wish? He says to be together back in the dessert. That is why she jumped.
She was referencing the legend, yes, but it is open to interpretation as to whether she actually believed it. It is very easily the case that she is saying that to make him close his eyes as she jumps to her death, while making a poetic final statement by referring to what she feels they can never recapture.
Didn't she? We don't really know. The story may have come true, but the look on Lo's face doesn't seem hopeful. Remember Jen's actions destroyed several lives. She could never be free of that. There had to be a consequence she has to pay.
@@kenjisparks I get what you are saying and that is certainly probably what she was feeling. However, another viewpoint is that the guy stood in front of a barrage of poison darts to protect her and died from doing so. Her taking her life pretty much made his sacrifice, I won't say meaningless, but empty.
A hundred years ago an English theater critic quipped that Americans prefer their tragedies to have have a happy ending. This is the same director who did 'Lust, Caution', 'Sense and Sensibilities', and 'Brokeback Mountain'
This movie pioneered the oft tried but never replicated modern "wire Martial arts" (called wuxia, which was actually banned in China for a time) movie, but at the same time subverted with a killer story that hit a lot of buttons. Some people make movies, some people make art. Top five films of all time, that final music note gets me every. Time.
As great as PARASITE is, I firmly believe that this should've been the first non-English language Best Picture winner. The only other acceptable alternative for me would've been TRAFFIC (interestingly, TRAFFIC won 4 of its 5 nominations with Picture being the only category it lost).
Thanks for the great reaction! I saw this in the theater back in 2000 and was blown away by the amazing cinematography, acting, directing...everything!
28:05 - That weapon is called a "Monk Spade". It's heavier than most weapons, and purposefully so. You can see the famous Gordon Liu (aka, Lau Ga Fai) wield this weapon in the classic martial arts film, #title "Master Killer", aka "The 36th Chamber".
Great reaction! I want to tell you that I really appreciate the way you edited this so we can see the action, your reaction to it, and the subtitles all with in the same field of view, so that we didn't miss anything. Great job!
I have learned that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a Chinese phrase that means a place with hidden Masters, which is an under laying plot line in this film.
I come from a martial arts family and we all went to see this in the theater when I was a kid and even at a young age I was so frustrated with Jen's character! She was so selfish... but now as an adult I see it very differently
This style of highly stylized, often airborne, choreography essentially brings to life the way martial arts masters were depicted fighting in folklore and was the norm in pre-Bruce-Lee Hong Kong martial arts movies. After Lee's hard hitting, grittier style set movie screens on fire, this style of choreography seemed a little quaint and outdated. The big budget 1982 movie "The Shaolin Temple" (introducing Jet Li) upped its classical style choreography game by featuring dazzling performances by national wushu champions and proved that this style of martial arts could still excite and attract paying audiences, and 1991's "Once Upon a Time in China" (starring Jet Li) made it the popular style of choreography again as well as starting a successful movie franchise and making Jet Li a super star in Asia.
It was always my belief that the reason Jen decided to jump at the end was because she learned by that point that all her selfishness caused the death of so many, especially that the death of Li Mu Bai destroyed the hope of love between him and Yu Shu Lien. I believe she felt too guilty to be able to just freely live with what her selfishness robbed Mu Bai and Shu Lien of. The strong guilt of it wouldn't allow her to even enjoy being with Lo. It would be easy for her to just blame the Jade Fox for it all, to say that she corrupted her, but Jen knew that in the end, it was all her; she was too headstrong not to know that she had her own mind. After all, she did have the wherewithal to deceive Jade Fox and keep her knowledge of the Wudang manual to herself. I could be wrong, but that was my take on it.
Amanda: "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen" to the first fight... Me: Squeeing with anticipation for their reaction at the final showdown! You absolutely need to watch Hero, Curse of the Golden Flower, and House of Flying Daggers.
Throughout the movie Shu Lien is imparting her “sisterly” wisdom to Jen. How to do the proper thing. Sacrificing for family. And you see Jen wants to be in the storybooks, a soldier of fortune. And in a way because she is unable to be the proper daughter, wife, etc. she ends up messing with people’s lives. In the end, the last conversation Shu Lien has with Jen, she says, “Be true to yourself”. Shu Lien has learned a lesson. And when Jen jumps from the mountain, I’ve always taken it one way, but this watch along made me take a wider view. First, Jen was contemplating all her actions and where they led, and who she is. So when she jumps, she is trying to make Lo’s wish come true. At the same time, and this is the new piece for me, Jen knows that she is restless and it wouldn’t be long before she messed up Lo’s life too. She is the scorpion on the Frog’s back (if you know the fable). She cannot change who she is. But she can make Lo’s wish come true.
I've always thought that, in addition to following your heart, a second message is that you can't be true to yourself if you don't know who you are. While Li Mu Bai, Michelle Yeoh, Jade Fox, and Lo all want what they can't get, the difference with Jen is she doesn't know what she wants, only what she doesn't want, and that's why she rejects every good offer (to be with Lo, to train with Li Mu Bai) and ends up causing all the tragedy.
One of those special movies that simply has EVERYthing - drama, tragedy, comedy, romance, action, mystery, and beauty - and that also genuinely has something to say.
Love that movie so much it's in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. Glad you like it ! One of my favorite detail about this movie are the subtle sound desing of Green Destiny, meaning how special that sword is
This was the very first foreign language film I saw at the cinema! I was 19, living in London and I went back the next weekend and watched it again because I thought it was so great.
I got to see this in theaters, and as soon as the subtitles came on the entire audience groaned because they thought it would be dubbed. I think the unhappy ending is one of the things that makes the movie great. House of Flying Daggers is also a great flick from that era with an equally controversial ending.
I remember there was this social event I went to at a bar, and this movie was playing on one of the TVs in the bar. I had never seen it before, and even though the volume wasn't on, I was more interested in watching the movie than in talking to any of the people at the social event. 😆
Another Ang Lee film to watch...one that's talked about very little anymore...is Eat Drink Man Woman. Wonderful movie, and he somehow filmed food so well that you can practically taste it.
Hi Daniel & Samantha, If you are interested, there were 2 wonderful Japanese martial arts Tv shows in the `70`s, The Water Margin 1973-74 & Monkey 1978-80. As far as I am aware, no-one has reacted to them at this time. I think, they were both shown on the BBC & they both had wonderful theme tunes.
Jade Fox is played by legendary Shaw Bros actress Cheng Pei-pei who had her own martial art films in the 60s
8 місяців тому+1
Ang Lee is known for Directing the most beautiful but melancholic movies. I think this one is my favorite from him, followed by Sense and Sensibility and Life of Pi.
This movie is an example of the martial arts action genre. This one had a lot more romance and a poetic aspect to it for sure. They are more historical martial arts movies and there are some good ones for sure, you two should look into. House of Flying Daggers and Hero are just a couple of titles. You will enjoy if you enjoyed this movie.
The sad melodrama is quite common in Chinese films. Probably says something about how we view life. Three recommendations: 1. The Killer (1989) - I consider this to be John Woo's best movie. Also, Chow Yun Fat is the lead. 2. To Live (1994) - This is about the story of a family living in China in the 20th Century. It is actually a good primer on major events in China during that time. The movie was directed by Zhang Yimou, who was punished by the CCP for making this by banning him from filmmaking. This lasted around 5 years, and international pressure finally induced the CCP to relent. Also, the movie itself was only lifted in 2008, after Zhang Yimou directed the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The movie stars Gong Li, one of the best actresses of her generation. 3. House of Flying Daggers (2004) - This movie is another martial arts film starring Zhang Ziyi that made it to the west. It, too, was directed by Zhang Yimou.
Will admit to having fallen asleep in the theater during the desert sequence (shut up, it was a midnight showing, and that section moves at the pace of a glacier), but I LOVE this movie. "Visually poetic" was how I used to describe it to people who hadn't seen it, because it is. The choreography, the wire work, it's all so fantastical, that it's like "Let me tell you the legend of Li Mu Bai," and it works perfectly. Won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, and well-deserved. Of course, Michelle Yeoh won for "Everything Everywhere..." last year, which I still haven't seen. I'm wondering where Zhang Ziyi, who played Jen, has gone. Haven't seen her in anything since "House of The Flying Daggers, and that must have been 20 years ago..."
Zhang Ziyi's been in things here and there (in the US...I imagine she might've been a lot more active in China); she was in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Cloverfield Paradox as a couple recent examples.
@@nathanmead9585 Haven't seen either of those. Glad she's still doing her thing, although I wish she were doing it with better material than bullshit sequels.
Remember seeing this in the cinema and during the fights you could hear a pin drop except for occasional gasps. People were just mesmerised. As mentioned in the video, most Western filmgoers had never seen anything like it. Still one of my most memorable big screen experiences. To me this is one of those films that underlines cultures don't separate us (everyone feels the same while watching) but can still be _very_ different because it'd _never_ end like this in a Hollywood movie.
What an insanely good film. Takes staples of Chinese cinema and refines them perfectly for a global audience. Almost single handedly brought Chinese cinema to a wider western audience.
This is one of those films which I liked but not overly so... but I did spend a lot of time thinking about it afterwards. Some of the imagery really stayed with me, like the fight in the trees and the ending scene.
I recommend the movie HERO to follow this. It was part of the martial arts movie resurgence of the 2000s which Crouching Tiger started. Both beautiful and with exceptional choreography.
It's a cultural difference. Chinese Operas and Legends are SUPER tragic but painfully beautiful. Any WuXia film you watch will have melancholic or bittersweet endings. I HIGHLY recommend House of Flying Daggers and Hero as well!!!
You might be happier to hear that she didn't die from the jump at the end. This is based on a book which is second part of a trilogy, and her story continues in the third book.
I personally feel like this is one of the greatest martial arts films ever made and one of my favorite films of all time period. I know people always like happy endings but life isn't always like that and the whole moral of the story is really driven home by the tragic ending. It is up there with some of Shakespeare's moral tales in that regard.
At 6.31. When i first saw this. I was into the movie. It's so different from any martial arts movie ever. Very poetic, the use of words colorful, even the humor didn't take you out of the story line. Sweeping views. Excellent show
I think the idea with the ending is that none of her choices are actually freedom and agency. Observing the people and constraints around her, what she truly wanted didn't really exist. The only option that grants her it was a hope and prayer mythology that's almost certainly untrue, but one way or another, would result in her being true to herself. As a viewer, I can't say I totally understand what we're meant to actually take away from that conclusion/choice, though. Is it meant to just be taken as tragedy? Either way it's fascinating and thought-provoking, though.
Approaching Martial Arts films is like approaching a musical. When you realize the fight sequences are designed to tell a story in itself and move the story forward, then you start to really appreciate the artform of martial arts movies. At the end of the day, it's a musical, but with fighting instead of songs. And this film is at the top of the genre. Masterful, if not tragic, story telling.
Thanks for watching this film - I had mixed feelings at the end of the film as well. If you have an interest in watching a few more serious classics from Asian cinema, I recommend: - Hero - lots of beautiful choreographed swordplay and haunting music here too. - Red Cliff - either the abridged version or the extended version (Parts 1 and 2) - some linkages to historical events.
Definitely a masterpiece! I remember when I came out, all the hype that the media was pushing, and it was well deserved hype in the end, because this is truly a display of what Hollywood movies used to be. I miss those true blockbusters from back then
While you have just watched quite possibly the greatest martial arts film of all time - it is part of a trilogy of sorts with Hero and the House of Flying Daggers. In so many ways the films couldn't be any more different.. put together they are the Star Wars, Star Trek and Dune of modern Chinese cinema.
You have got to watch "The Raid" as it is the total opposite of "Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger". It is set in modern day Indonesia and is completely without romance and mysticism and the direction and cinematography couldn't be more different. It is one hell of a martial arts movie.
You should watch Chow Yun-Fat in "The Killer" (1989), the critically praised blood soaked yet romantic and lyrically beautiful Hong Kong action masterpiece directed by John Woo which introduced him and Woo to the wider American audience (they already had cult status among the niche fans of Asian movies watching bootleg VHS copies of Hong Kong films).
If you guys loved how this movie looked, you will certainly love the movie #title, "House of Flying Daggers" (2004), which also stars Zhang Ziyi. It's absolutely stunning to look at, for all sorts of reasons: the fight choreography, the cinematography, the set design, etc. etc. To this day, it's still one of the most visually orgasim movies I'd ever seen.
The choreography in this movie holds up to be top tier TO THIS DAY! And the soundtrack really sets the mood for each scene perfectly. Undoubtedly one of the BEST traditional martial arts/Kung fu movies ever.
I remember seeing this in the cinema, girl looked at me funny ssid , you know this is in Chinese. ? 😂 . The big fight with the two women, Michelle broke her knee during, had to heal and filmed to rest of the movie and the do it , went perfectly
I really enjoyed your in-depth reaction at the end. This is such a wonderful movie. Another two in the same style (and maybe even more stunning), which I'm sure you'd definitely like are "House of Flying Daggers" and "Hero"
Love this movie! If you don't mind subtitles, one of the best is in my opinion Guillermo del Toro's best, The Devil's Backbone. Spanish movie, a ghost story that is almost a subplot of The Spanish Revolution. I am a lifelong movieholic. It is in my top 5, almost perfect.
So much of this movie is impressive. The acting, the story, the scenery and the choreography, even small doses of comedy here and there. I think her wish came true for her in another “dimension”, if you will, but Lo stayed behind to mourn her in his “dimension.”
I love how pissed Sam was at the end. It’s such a gut punch of an ending but just reinforces the themes and message of the film.
The ending is BRUTAL. If you got into wuxia/kung fu movies around the late nineties, this movie was your Titanic.
Welcome to the tragedy stories of Chinese opera. Then again many operas around the world are tragedies.
The books prove that Jen survives.
Both Jen and Michelle Yeoh's character yearned for the life they thought the other had: 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 Jen was young and impulsive, and her recklessness kept them both from what they wanted.
It’s the ending that makes this movie so unique, and so memorable.
Like life.
Sam loving the choreography so much tells us that you have to see both Hero and House of Flying Daggers, both have phenomenal choreography, visuals and deep emotional meaning.
I was just about to suggest those exact movies!
I would love to see their reaction to both movies! “Hero” has a special place in my heart for such amazing visuals and storytelling telling. It’s quite a rare gem, if I don’t say so myself! I wished more reactors would be willing to watch cinema outside their own language/culture a bit and just appreciate different stories.
Everyone on UA-cam just seems to watch the same movies.
Anyway, cheers!
House of Flying Daggers has the same actress, Zhang Ziyi, that plays Jen in CTHD. She is caught in a true love triangle. Same great level of sets, chorography, and martial arts.
DON'T😠😠!! "Hero" was the first historical movie made by Zhang Yimou, and the only reason he shifted from modern to ancient background, was that CTHD won many Oscars. Zhang Yimou was famous for his mega-budget film making, so he stole elements from CTHD, making it bigger and more colorful, pulling every Oscar bait he could, so much he forgot the basic need for a movie - a good story.
Not getting any Oscars, Zhang made "House of Flying Daggers", using what element he didn't use from CTHD, with a story stolen from the Hong Kong movie "Infernal Affair" (later became Martin Scorsese's "The Departed"). Like "Hero", "Flying Daggers" had many plot-holes, and bombed in box office.
@@tomarnold7284 Oscar drama and politics aren't worth ignoring movies over. Both movies are excellent.
This is what you get when you prioritize a good script, good actors, a compelling story, and innovation above models prancing around in front of cgi screens.
Yep,the Hollywood machine would never approve of this ending.
@@chrisguevaraDisagree. Maybe for a film with a 100+ million budget. But this film was made for pennies. They would see Oscar bait and let it stand as is.
What prancing did you have in mind? Swan Lake Ballet? I think it's more than the sum of its parts, as you well know, I'm assuming.
Also respect for the audience.
@Papadoc1981 I don't know. When they preview a movie you know many of them would moan about the ending and they'd force them to change it. So many films get dumbed down because they listen to these silly focus groups.
funny random detail: Chang Chen, who played Lo, was Doctor Yue in part one of Dune.
Oh this is cool, didn't know that!
Wow, I didn't notice, but you're totally right. Thanks for sharing!
A reactor to Dune immediately recognized Chang Chen as Doctor Yue, and I was like, "No way!"
Now that you say that I realise I recognised him without realising it if you get me. Good spot.
OMG you're right! I did not know that but now totally recognize him.
Props to your editor for letting us read the subtitles
I actually really like the final scenes of this movie because of Jen's growth as a character. She's not evil, just a spoiled, immature, impulsive kid corrupted by Jade Fox. Jen finally "grows up" and accepts responsibility for her role in Li Mu Bai's death in the scene where it looks like Shu Lien is going to execute her. Instead of dodging (which she would have done earlier in the movie), Jen sits there and was willing to accept her death. Shu Lien sees that Jen has matured and is accepting responsibility for the first time, and pulls back the sword back instead of killing Jen.
I know that the final scene is open to interpretation, but I always thought that Jen was not committing suicide or sacrificing herself. I don't think she dies - remember that when Lo tells Jen the legend of the young man, Lo mentions that the young man jumped but did not die. Instead, I think that she is leaving Lo (in a very dramatic way - she could have just left before he woke up, but this is a movie after all). I think that Jen is denying herself her loving relationship with Lo as self-imposed penance for her role in Li Mu Bai's death - denying herself love in the same way that Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien were denied their love.
You’re actually very correct, at least if the sequel of this story (the novel anyway) is anything to go by
I've always thought that, in addition to following your heart, a second message is that you can't be true to yourself if you don't know who you are. While Li Mu Bai, Michelle Yeoh, Jade Fox, and Lo all want what they can't get, the difference with Jen is she doesn't know what she wants, only what she doesn't want, and that's why she rejects every good offer (to be with Lo, to train with Li Mu Bai) and ends up causing all the tragedy.
Nice explanation!
I've watched the fight scene between Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi more than any other - it's by far my favourite. I wish more directors incorporated wide shots and longer takes into their fights. Let people see and appreciate the work that goes into it, rather than relying on shakeycam and hyperactive editing to make a fight feel more chaotic. Lookin' at you, Paul Greengrass.
One of my all time favorite movies. I'm so glad I got to see this in the theaters back in the day and seen it countless times since. Touching, great drama with great actors and amazing choreography. Love the soundtrack too. The swordfight between Shu Lien and Jen has some of the best fighting choreography ever filmed. Still holds up so well.
Hero (2002) by Zhang Yimou is one you guys will love since you dug the fight choreography and wirework. Wuxia films defy the laws of physics but they're so fantasical
,His other fims _House of Flying Daggers_ and _Curse of the Golden Flower_ are also good, but _Hero_ has the best story and the use of color symbolism is fantastic.
eh, only on the surface.... they might look similar but from writing to acting to choreography, those movies are miles off of the quality of this one
0:25 The Legend of Drunken Master & Fist of Legend deserve way more votes on that poll.
I never saw Jen’s leap into the unknown as aimless. It was clear that she was fulfilling a wish and her wish was a sacrifice that didn’t directly involve THEIR romance. Which is why the look on his face was one of sadness. I am still of the mindset that her wish was to fix her mistakes and restore the OTHER love story.
Seriously one of the best films that I have ever watched and the twist at the end....just wow.....
I LOVE Zhang Ziyi and this is one of her finest roles, and very early in her career. I would highly recommend another ZZ film called House of Flying Daggers, very good movie in every respect that I can think of to consider.
The trick this movie pulled, and why it's so celebrated, is that it managed to be a fantastic drama, while also being a fantastic martial arts flick!
Martial arts, even to this day, is a fairly niche segment of the movie industry.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" brought it into the mainstream in a way that has rarely been done before, or since.
In fact, I suspect it might have never been done, outside of this movie.
This movie has everything. It's got action, political intrigue, romance, it's funny at times, amazing music. It's the whole package.
Hero is equally amazing in my opinion, but probably no quite as mainstream. I remember CTHD being highly talked about and praised back in the days.
Yea I'm going to have to strongly disagree with the never been done before. Bruce Lee's Enter the dragon was the first to bring it to the mainstream so much so that it was Hollywood's first martial arts movie filmed overseas in Hong Kong.
Your confusion about “mainstream” is bewildering.
@@DoggyZworlD07Bruce Lee movies never won an oscar. That's what matters for the average people
2 other great films in this genre to watch, Hero and House of Flying Daggers, all 3 are absolutely gorgeous films with amazing cinematography and insane choreography!
Such an amazingly beautiful and melancholy movie, absolutely stunning in every aspect. If you ever get the chance to see it on the big screen ,do it!
Nominated for 9 Oscars including Best Picture, but won for
Best International Film
Best Production Design
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography.
Great that you highlighted the Oscars it won, to show how outstanding this film is.
One small correction: It got 10 nominations. This film ties the record for most nominations for a non-English language film (10 nominations, shared with ROMA (2018)) and also ties the record for most wins (4 wins, sharing it with FANNY AND ALEXANDER (1983), PARASITE (2019), and ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022)). Coincidentally, this film and ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT won the exact same 4 categories.
should've won best picture too - WAY better than Gladiator!
@@Bekka_Noyb I totally agree with you. The only other acceptable alternative would've been TRAFFIC for me. Funnily enough, TRAFFIC has the rare distinction of winning every nominated category except Picture (it also won 4 Oscars, in this case Director, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and Film Editing (Steven Soderbergh was double nominated for TRAFFIC and ERIN BROCKOVICH for Best Director in a single year and won for the former)).
@@Bekka_NoybGladiator is a massively, massively overrated film. I wouldn't even put it in the top ten Ridley Scott movies, but somehow it's considered a classic.
Michelle Yeoh is ballsy - she taught herself martial arts through her film roles. You must react to her in Jackie Chan’s Police Story 3!!!
Loved that movie!
Police Story 3 is Supercop, correct?
@@fuelman1391 Correct.
That’s A cultural difference. American like happy ending. This ending sells in China. Captured the hearts of Chinese audiences
American here. I appreciate the ending very much for a few reasons, not least of which is it reinforces the mythological feeling.
That’s really fascinating and that’s another reason why I enjoy this movie so much.
Yeah that's how _Titanic_ got the box office record for so long, such a happy ending.
Don't try to pigeonhole we Americans. We are not homogeneous. We are deeply divided. Maybe half of us love this kind of ending and half insist on happy endings.
Modern storytelling is very much focused on redemption. Good people make bad decisions, and in the end, overcome them by power of friendship.
However, folk tales and traditional story structure has one layer on top of redemption, Consequences. Yes, you can be redeemed, but your past catches up with you regardless
Jen did not commit suicide as Lo mentioned earlier that anyone that jumps off the bridge God will grant their wish. Right before Jen jumped, she asked Lo what is your wish? He says to be together back in the dessert. That is why she jumped.
She was referencing the legend, yes, but it is open to interpretation as to whether she actually believed it. It is very easily the case that she is saying that to make him close his eyes as she jumps to her death, while making a poetic final statement by referring to what she feels they can never recapture.
Didn't she? We don't really know. The story may have come true, but the look on Lo's face doesn't seem hopeful. Remember Jen's actions destroyed several lives. She could never be free of that. There had to be a consequence she has to pay.
@@kenjisparks I get what you are saying and that is certainly probably what she was feeling. However, another viewpoint is that the guy stood in front of a barrage of poison darts to protect her and died from doing so. Her taking her life pretty much made his sacrifice, I won't say meaningless, but empty.
That's just folklore. The ending is pretty clear.
@30noir the characters could float and fly in the air so jumping would not have ended her.
I didnt see Jet Li's "Hero" (2002) in the poll. Y'all want a beautiful martial arts movie? THAT'S the one to watch.
"Our Land"
The use of colour in that film is SO gorgeous and clever. That's one of my all time favourite WuXia films.
My favorite Scene is the first fight with Li Mu Bai and Jade Fox. You're anticipating to see how good Li Mu Bai is and he doesn't disappoint.
A hundred years ago an English theater critic quipped that Americans prefer their tragedies to have have a happy ending. This is the same director who did 'Lust, Caution', 'Sense and Sensibilities', and 'Brokeback Mountain'
And The Hulk! 😅
Also "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman", which I'd highly recommend if you haven't seen it.
I agree. I've noticed that with horror films, those with a bad ending are scored in a much harsher way than the ones that have a good ending.
Now that you know how it ends, a rewatch will make the entire story all the more beautiful and meaningful
Peaceful surrender...
This movie pioneered the oft tried but never replicated modern "wire Martial arts" (called wuxia, which was actually banned in China for a time) movie, but at the same time subverted with a killer story that hit a lot of buttons. Some people make movies, some people make art.
Top five films of all time, that final music note gets me every. Time.
Yo Yo Ma was incredible in the score (unsurprisingly, but he's always worth mentioning)
As great as PARASITE is, I firmly believe that this should've been the first non-English language Best Picture winner. The only other acceptable alternative for me would've been TRAFFIC (interestingly, TRAFFIC won 4 of its 5 nominations with Picture being the only category it lost).
Blame Gladiator.
@@jp3813 Gladiator’s superior so
@@DefenestrateYourself Tell that to the OP.
The love story between the two leads is just breathtakingly beautiful in its subtlety.
Thanks for the great reaction! I saw this in the theater back in 2000 and was blown away by the amazing cinematography, acting, directing...everything!
Please add Fearless to that Martial Arts poll. Jet Li's best movie, in a landslide.
28:05 - That weapon is called a "Monk Spade". It's heavier than most weapons, and purposefully so. You can see the famous Gordon Liu (aka, Lau Ga Fai) wield this weapon in the classic martial arts film, #title "Master Killer", aka "The 36th Chamber".
Chow Yun-fat is such a boss! I wonder if you're gonna watch Hard Boiled, The Killer, or A Better Tomorrow (1 and 2) !! love that dude
Great reaction! I want to tell you that I really appreciate the way you edited this so we can see the action, your reaction to it, and the subtitles all with in the same field of view, so that we didn't miss anything. Great job!
My all time fave movie! ♥ One of the many many reasons this movie is amazing is that they let the viewer decide if Jen's wish comes true or not
Wow, what are the chances seeing you here! Definitely B-M-tier movie for me too. I'm so glad they got the good subtitles!
This was the second movie I saw Chow Young Fat in. Not HIS second movie , but the second one I saw him in. The first was The Replacement Killers!
That was a fantastic film. Mira Sorvino post Oscar, Michael Rooker... 😀
I have The Killer and Hard Boiled as a double feature on VHS.
@@misterkitehell yeah, A Better Tomorrow 1 & 2 were bad ass, too
@@motorcycleboy9000A Better Tomorrow II might have the most badass ending of all time!
@@marcuscato9083 😎 pewpewpew
Not only one of the best martial arts films, but just films period I believe.
Loved the way Samantha summed up her take on the film: "Holy shit." 😉
I have learned that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a Chinese phrase that means a place with hidden Masters, which is an under laying plot line in this film.
I come from a martial arts family and we all went to see this in the theater when I was a kid and even at a young age I was so frustrated with Jen's character! She was so selfish... but now as an adult I see it very differently
This style of highly stylized, often airborne, choreography essentially brings to life the way martial arts masters were depicted fighting in folklore and was the norm in pre-Bruce-Lee Hong Kong martial arts movies. After Lee's hard hitting, grittier style set movie screens on fire, this style of choreography seemed a little quaint and outdated. The big budget 1982 movie "The Shaolin Temple" (introducing Jet Li) upped its classical style choreography game by featuring dazzling performances by national wushu champions and proved that this style of martial arts could still excite and attract paying audiences, and 1991's "Once Upon a Time in China" (starring Jet Li) made it the popular style of choreography again as well as starting a successful movie franchise and making Jet Li a super star in Asia.
It was always my belief that the reason Jen decided to jump at the end was because she learned by that point that all her selfishness caused the death of so many, especially that the death of Li Mu Bai destroyed the hope of love between him and Yu Shu Lien. I believe she felt too guilty to be able to just freely live with what her selfishness robbed Mu Bai and Shu Lien of. The strong guilt of it wouldn't allow her to even enjoy being with Lo. It would be easy for her to just blame the Jade Fox for it all, to say that she corrupted her, but Jen knew that in the end, it was all her; she was too headstrong not to know that she had her own mind. After all, she did have the wherewithal to deceive Jade Fox and keep her knowledge of the Wudang manual to herself. I could be wrong, but that was my take on it.
Amanda: "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen" to the first fight...
Me: Squeeing with anticipation for their reaction at the final showdown!
You absolutely need to watch Hero, Curse of the Golden Flower, and House of Flying Daggers.
This movie is a masterpiece!! Also as always I love your complicity discussion and natural. Real genuine reaction!! Thx
I dare someone to say after this movie you don't want to fly from tree to tree in your neighborhood walking on branches
I wanted to run up the wall outside of the theater when we came out. 😂
@@barbaramcgee8933 I'd chase you to the tree tops 😉
I don't, I wanna be confused for a mothman 😂
@@CYB3R2K Well heck, confuse me for whoever you want. I want to fly to tree to tree
I saw this opening day. After the first fight scene there was literally a standing ovation in the packed theater
Throughout the movie Shu Lien is imparting her “sisterly” wisdom to Jen. How to do the proper thing. Sacrificing for family. And you see Jen wants to be in the storybooks, a soldier of fortune. And in a way because she is unable to be the proper daughter, wife, etc. she ends up messing with people’s lives. In the end, the last conversation Shu Lien has with Jen, she says, “Be true to yourself”. Shu Lien has learned a lesson. And when Jen jumps from the mountain, I’ve always taken it one way, but this watch along made me take a wider view. First, Jen was contemplating all her actions and where they led, and who she is. So when she jumps, she is trying to make Lo’s wish come true. At the same time, and this is the new piece for me, Jen knows that she is restless and it wouldn’t be long before she messed up Lo’s life too. She is the scorpion on the Frog’s back (if you know the fable). She cannot change who she is. But she can make Lo’s wish come true.
I concur. That's how i see it as well.
I've always thought that, in addition to following your heart, a second message is that you can't be true to yourself if you don't know who you are. While Li Mu Bai, Michelle Yeoh, Jade Fox, and Lo all want what they can't get, the difference with Jen is she doesn't know what she wants, only what she doesn't want, and that's why she rejects every good offer (to be with Lo, to train with Li Mu Bai) and ends up causing all the tragedy.
One of those special movies that simply has EVERYthing - drama, tragedy, comedy, romance, action, mystery, and beauty - and that also genuinely has something to say.
Love that movie so much it's in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. Glad you like it ! One of my favorite detail about this movie are the subtle sound desing of Green Destiny, meaning how special that sword is
This was the very first foreign language film I saw at the cinema! I was 19, living in London and I went back the next weekend and watched it again because I thought it was so great.
I got to see this in theaters, and as soon as the subtitles came on the entire audience groaned because they thought it would be dubbed. I think the unhappy ending is one of the things that makes the movie great. House of Flying Daggers is also a great flick from that era with an equally controversial ending.
The Australian dvd release defaulted to an english dub. Bah! I manually set it back every time.
I remember there was this social event I went to at a bar, and this movie was playing on one of the TVs in the bar. I had never seen it before, and even though the volume wasn't on, I was more interested in watching the movie than in talking to any of the people at the social event. 😆
Another Ang Lee film to watch...one that's talked about very little anymore...is Eat Drink Man Woman. Wonderful movie, and he somehow filmed food so well that you can practically taste it.
One of the most impressive martial arts films I’ve ever witnessed.
"A Touch Of Zen" is THE CLASSIC of this genre 💚💛❤
One of my favorite movies. Thanks for the reaction.
That’s life: incredible beautiful moments, joy, drama, regret, and you die at the end.
Hi Daniel & Samantha, If you are interested, there were 2 wonderful Japanese martial arts Tv shows in the `70`s, The Water Margin 1973-74 & Monkey 1978-80. As far as I am aware, no-one has reacted to them at this time. I think, they were both shown on the BBC & they both had wonderful theme tunes.
The Asian actor who played as Dark Cloud, also played as Dr. Yuwai in DUNE
Jade Fox is played by legendary Shaw Bros actress Cheng Pei-pei who had her own martial art films in the 60s
Ang Lee is known for Directing the most beautiful but melancholic movies. I think this one is my favorite from him, followed by Sense and Sensibility and Life of Pi.
Next level choreography and cinematography. Nice pick👍
This movie is an example of the martial arts action genre. This one had a lot more romance and a poetic aspect to it for sure. They are more historical martial arts movies and there are some good ones for sure, you two should look into. House of Flying Daggers and Hero are just a couple of titles. You will enjoy if you enjoyed this movie.
The sad melodrama is quite common in Chinese films. Probably says something about how we view life.
Three recommendations:
1. The Killer (1989) - I consider this to be John Woo's best movie. Also, Chow Yun Fat is the lead.
2. To Live (1994) - This is about the story of a family living in China in the 20th Century. It is actually a good primer on major events in China during that time. The movie was directed by Zhang Yimou, who was punished by the CCP for making this by banning him from filmmaking. This lasted around 5 years, and international pressure finally induced the CCP to relent. Also, the movie itself was only lifted in 2008, after Zhang Yimou directed the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The movie stars Gong Li, one of the best actresses of her generation.
3. House of Flying Daggers (2004) - This movie is another martial arts film starring Zhang Ziyi that made it to the west. It, too, was directed by Zhang Yimou.
The weapon that gave her a lot of trouble is called the Iron Rod. Weapons used in order: Machete, Spear, Hook Swords, Iron Rod, 2-Handed Long Sword.
Will admit to having fallen asleep in the theater during the desert sequence (shut up, it was a midnight showing, and that section moves at the pace of a glacier), but I LOVE this movie. "Visually poetic" was how I used to describe it to people who hadn't seen it, because it is. The choreography, the wire work, it's all so fantastical, that it's like "Let me tell you the legend of Li Mu Bai," and it works perfectly. Won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, and well-deserved. Of course, Michelle Yeoh won for "Everything Everywhere..." last year, which I still haven't seen. I'm wondering where Zhang Ziyi, who played Jen, has gone. Haven't seen her in anything since "House of The Flying Daggers, and that must have been 20 years ago..."
Zhang Ziyi's been in things here and there (in the US...I imagine she might've been a lot more active in China); she was in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Cloverfield Paradox as a couple recent examples.
@@nathanmead9585 Haven't seen either of those. Glad she's still doing her thing, although I wish she were doing it with better material than bullshit sequels.
Remember seeing this in the cinema and during the fights you could hear a pin drop except for occasional gasps. People were just mesmerised. As mentioned in the video, most Western filmgoers had never seen anything like it. Still one of my most memorable big screen experiences.
To me this is one of those films that underlines cultures don't separate us (everyone feels the same while watching) but can still be _very_ different because it'd _never_ end like this in a Hollywood movie.
Zhang Ziyi was my childhood crush. She's gorgeous!
Stunning!
What an insanely good film. Takes staples of Chinese cinema and refines them perfectly for a global audience. Almost single handedly brought Chinese cinema to a wider western audience.
This is one of those films which I liked but not overly so... but I did spend a lot of time thinking about it afterwards. Some of the imagery really stayed with me, like the fight in the trees and the ending scene.
I recommend the movie HERO to follow this. It was part of the martial arts movie resurgence of the 2000s which Crouching Tiger started. Both beautiful and with exceptional choreography.
It's a cultural difference. Chinese Operas and Legends are SUPER tragic but painfully beautiful. Any WuXia film you watch will have melancholic or bittersweet endings. I HIGHLY recommend House of Flying Daggers and Hero as well!!!
Sam becoming transparent is so trippy
Haven't seen this for years. I know I'll enjoy this reaction.
You might be happier to hear that she didn't die from the jump at the end. This is based on a book which is second part of a trilogy, and her story continues in the third book.
I personally feel like this is one of the greatest martial arts films ever made and one of my favorite films of all time period. I know people always like happy endings but life isn't always like that and the whole moral of the story is really driven home by the tragic ending. It is up there with some of Shakespeare's moral tales in that regard.
At 6.31. When i first saw this. I was into the movie. It's so different from any martial arts movie ever. Very poetic, the use of words colorful, even the humor didn't take you out of the story line. Sweeping views. Excellent show
I think the idea with the ending is that none of her choices are actually freedom and agency. Observing the people and constraints around her, what she truly wanted didn't really exist. The only option that grants her it was a hope and prayer mythology that's almost certainly untrue, but one way or another, would result in her being true to herself.
As a viewer, I can't say I totally understand what we're meant to actually take away from that conclusion/choice, though. Is it meant to just be taken as tragedy? Either way it's fascinating and thought-provoking, though.
Approaching Martial Arts films is like approaching a musical. When you realize the fight sequences are designed to tell a story in itself and move the story forward, then you start to really appreciate the artform of martial arts movies. At the end of the day, it's a musical, but with fighting instead of songs. And this film is at the top of the genre. Masterful, if not tragic, story telling.
Thanks for watching this film - I had mixed feelings at the end of the film as well.
If you have an interest in watching a few more serious classics from Asian cinema, I recommend:
- Hero - lots of beautiful choreographed swordplay and haunting music here too.
- Red Cliff - either the abridged version or the extended version (Parts 1 and 2) - some linkages to historical events.
The scene in the threes is always awesome to see.
Hero or House of Flying Daggers should be soon. Both beautiful
Good to see you get into the wuxia genre.
Hero is the next one to do. Most beautiful cinematography I've seen.
one of my all time favorite movies.
Definitely a masterpiece! I remember when I came out, all the hype that the media was pushing, and it was well deserved hype in the end, because this is truly a display of what Hollywood movies used to be. I miss those true blockbusters from back then
While you have just watched quite possibly the greatest martial arts film of all time - it is part of a trilogy of sorts with Hero and the House of Flying Daggers.
In so many ways the films couldn't be any more different.. put together they are the Star Wars, Star Trek and Dune of modern Chinese cinema.
You have got to watch "The Raid" as it is the total opposite of "Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger". It is set in modern day Indonesia and is completely without romance and mysticism and the direction and cinematography couldn't be more different. It is one hell of a martial arts movie.
You should watch Chow Yun-Fat in "The Killer" (1989), the critically praised blood soaked yet romantic and lyrically beautiful Hong Kong action masterpiece directed by John Woo which introduced him and Woo to the wider American audience (they already had cult status among the niche fans of Asian movies watching bootleg VHS copies of Hong Kong films).
This film is legendary in the world of kung fu films,won some oscars too,the fight scenes are poetry in motion, amazing film
If you guys loved how this movie looked, you will certainly love the movie #title, "House of Flying Daggers" (2004), which also stars Zhang Ziyi. It's absolutely stunning to look at, for all sorts of reasons: the fight choreography, the cinematography, the set design, etc. etc. To this day, it's still one of the most visually orgasim movies I'd ever seen.
I was very fortunate to have seen this opening weekend back in the day....one of the best foreign films ever made
Just to reinforce some of the comments here, you both will enjoy "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers".
My thoughts exactly
You two ABSOLUTELY need to watch House of Flying Daggers and Iron Monkey (1993) Hero and Fearless!!! I think you both would absolutely be into them!
The choreography in this movie holds up to be top tier TO THIS DAY! And the soundtrack really sets the mood for each scene perfectly. Undoubtedly one of the BEST traditional martial arts/Kung fu movies ever.
I remember seeing this in the cinema, girl looked at me funny ssid , you know this is in Chinese. ? 😂 .
The big fight with the two women, Michelle broke her knee during, had to heal and filmed to rest of the movie and the do it , went perfectly
An excellent film. Magical. Beautiful. It has some of the best contemporary Chinese Kung Fu choreography.
I really enjoyed your in-depth reaction at the end. This is such a wonderful movie. Another two in the same style (and maybe even more stunning), which I'm sure you'd definitely like are "House of Flying Daggers" and "Hero"
Love this movie! If you don't mind subtitles, one of the best is in my opinion Guillermo del Toro's best, The Devil's Backbone. Spanish movie, a ghost story that is almost a subplot of The Spanish Revolution. I am a lifelong movieholic. It is in my top 5, almost perfect.
So much of this movie is impressive. The acting, the story, the scenery and the choreography, even small doses of comedy here and there.
I think her wish came true for her in another “dimension”, if you will, but Lo stayed behind to mourn her in his “dimension.”
Thanks for reacting to one of my top 5 favorite movies! The showdown between Jen and Michelle Yeoh is one of my favorite fight scenes in any movie.