Are you aware what film ought to have gained Finest Image? Brokeback Mountain, and I’m nonetheless upset about that loss to Crash. However, have you learnt what different film, that additionally occurs to be directed by Ang Lee, ought to have gained Finest Image to the purpose the place I am nonetheless bothered by its loss right this moment? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, because it’s nonetheless superb, even in any case these years.
It is likely to be exhausting to fathom for those who had been too younger to recollect it, however there actually was nothing else like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in America again in 2000, and actually, nothing else prefer it since (despite the fact that we did get just a few different wuxia motion pictures after it, similar to 2002’s Hero, and 2004’s Home of Flying Daggers).
That stated, I nonetheless assume Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is one of the best film I’ve ever seen within the medium, and likewise one of the best film of 2000. Right here’s why.
First, It Is One Of The Most Stunning Films That Has Ever Been Nominated For Finest Image
I really like an excellent musical. In truth, 10 musicals have gained Finest Image, and I wish to say that I really like a majority of them. Musicals, in some ways, are lovely. I really like how feelings are sometimes expressed by way of track and dance, and the way the tales and music coalesce. In each manner, musicals are theatrical (I imply, hey. You possibly can’t have a movie show with out the precise “theater” are you able to?).
Are you aware what else I discover lovely? Individuals kicking one another within the face. Or fairly, I get pleasure from martial arts motion pictures. Individuals expressing themselves by way of choreographed violence can typically be simply as lovely (and balletic on the subject of many Jackie Chan motion pictures) as even your biggest musical. So, why then don’t martial arts motion pictures get the identical respect as musicals then?
Effectively, it is likely to be as a result of the storylines are often secondary to the precise fight (For instance, the story of Tom-Yum-Goong, a.ok.a. The Protector, can just about be summed up as a boy and his elephant). Nonetheless, that’s not the case on the subject of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, because the story is the centerpiece, and the precise martial arts buttresses the narrative.
Basically a love story, CTHD is predicated on the novel of the identical title, which is a part of the Wang Dulu, Crane-Iron sequence. Within the story, a warrior (performed by Chow Yun-fat) provides his sword, Inexperienced Future, to anyone he secretly loves–one other warrior, performed by Academy Award winner-Michelle Yeoh, nevertheless it’s stolen by but one other warrior named Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi).
Now, this may sound foolish on paper, however the unrequited love story between Chow Yun-fat’s character, Li Mu Bai, and Yeoh’s character, Yu Shu Lien, elevates the story. Add within the attractive wirework, the gorgeous cinematography (which gained an Oscar), the luxurious music (which additionally gained an Oscar), and the stellar artwork path (which ALSO gained an Oscar), and also you in all probability have probably the most creative martial arts film of all time.
It Would Have Been The Solely Wuxia Martial Arts Movie To Ever Win Finest Image, Giving The Style Even Extra Legitimacy
Do you wish to know what I feel? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon walked (On a tree department) in order that Every thing All over the place All At As soon as may run. What I imply is, I actually don’t assume a film with a lot martial arts love and appreciation as EEAAO would have gained Finest Image if not for a film like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which made it “okay” for martial arts to be considered as, nicely, artwork.
That is likely to be a attain (particularly since EEAAO is extra of an absurdist comedy than a martial arts film), however I truthfully cannot see a movie with so many martial arts components getting the widespread acceptance that it bought if not for CTHD.
Which bugs me all of the extra so. If Crouching Tiger had gained Finest Image, it may have probably created an entire wave of prestigious martial arts motion pictures getting produced abroad, and likewise stateside.
Sure, we have gotten some stellar martial arts motion pictures ever since CTHD, with The Raid: Redemption, Kill Invoice, and Ong-Bak being notable releases within the style. However, none of these had been ever going to be nominated for Finest Image.
No. I feel if CTHD had gained Finest Pic, it will have probably ushered in an entire string of artwork home martial arts motion pictures to the lots. Alas, that is not the timeline that we’re presently residing in.
The Performing, Throughout The Board, Is Prime Of The Line
Lots of people probably assume again to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and instantly bear in mind the floaty martial arts, and sure, that may be a spotlight. However, as I stated earlier, it isn’t the entire film.
Earlier than Michelle Yeoh gained the Academy Award for her efficiency in EEAAO, she was the grasp swordwoman, Yu Shu Lien, in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. She lends a subtlety to the position, as she cares for Li Mu Bai, but additionally feels a dedication to her fiance who died earlier than they may wed (This dedication is tied to her fiance since Li Mu Bai was his greatest good friend). In that manner, there’s nearly a kind of unhappiness to her efficiency that resonates the extra occasions that you simply watch it.
Chow Yun-fat, who I used to be used to from excessive octane John Woo motion pictures like The Killer, and Onerous Boiled, performs a really completely different position right here as Li Mu Bai. Sure, he’s a grasp swordsman, however he’s one who reveals restraint and poise. Provided that he’s retiring, you get a way of simply how drained he’s, despite the fact that he’s vengeful as soon as his grasp’s muderer, Jade Fox, reappears on the scene. Chow Yun-fat walks this tightrope of each anger and exhaustion expertly, and it is an incredible efficiency.
Lastly, Zheng Ziyi performs the position of the thief to perfection. Her character, Jen Yu, detests that she shouldn’t be taken significantly since she is a girl, despite the fact that her talent surpasses these of her male counterparts. I as soon as wrote an article about Asian feminine characters who kick ass in current motion pictures, and I positively would have included her…if CTHD was a current film. What’s nice although is that she showcases a toughness, but additionally insecurity, which will need to have been tough to drag off.
All in all, the characters make this martial arts film work, and it wouldn’t have been nearly as good as it’s with out the wonderful performing (amd directing!) behind it.
It Would Have Additionally Been The First Worldwide Movie To Win Finest Image, Beating Parasite By Nearly Twenty Years
I as soon as–wrongly–stated that Parasite was the most effective Oscar-winners within the 2010s. And, I solely say “wrongly” because it wasn’t one of one of the best. It was the greatest (I’m sorry. I simply actually liked Birdman).
That stated, I’ve solely come to this conclusion fairly lately upon a rewatch. Parasite was positively the film that ought to have gained again in 2020, and I really like that it’s the primary international language movie to take action.
Even so, I actually lament that CTHD didn’t win all of it the way in which again in 2000, as a result of may you think about all the different Worldwide movies that might probably have been thought-about for Finest Image if the worldwide, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, had taken dwelling the trophy?
And, I’m largely saying this as a genre-fan. I do know we’ve gotten motion pictures like Drive My Automotive, Previous Lives, I’m Nonetheless Right here, and many others. nominated for Finest Image. However, if a distinctly martial arts film may win Finest Image, couldn’t something probably win?
Truthfully, I’m nonetheless simply bitter that Godzilla Minus One wasn’t up for Finest Image. However, who is aware of? If an typically ignored style like martial arts may win Finest Image, who’s to say {that a} Kaiju film couldn’t win Finest Image as nicely? Give it some thought!
Lastly, It Was Arguably Higher Than Gladiator
Lastly–and most importantly-I simply assume CTHD was a significantly better film than Gladiator.
I do know lots of people love the Ridley Scott epic, however I’ve simply by no means been a fan. And, because the years have passed by (and a sequel was launched), I’ve preferred it even much less.
I imply, the opposite nominees-Chocolat, Erin Brockovich, and Site visitors (Particularly Site visitors)–had been all good motion pictures (that I feel are higher than Gladiator), however none of them felt as particular, modern, or distinctive as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
In truth, it’s exhausting for me to look again at any Finest Image winners that’s as particular, modern, or distinctive as CTHD, apart from perhaps Every thing All over the place All At As soon as, which I’m nonetheless sort of shocked gained Finest Image. CTHD simply has all the pieces I may ever need out of a film, and it nonetheless bothers me to this present day that it misplaced to Gladiator, which I simply discover so mid.
However, what do you assume? I’d love to listen to your ideas.