"A sword by itself does not rule. It is manipulated by skillful handling." This line in director Ang Lee's international classic, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," sets the tone for this movie, which I recommend to any Martial Arts fan.
Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) is a legendary swordmaster in China's Jiang Hu (a class of warriors). He wields the awesome straight sword Green Destiny, which is sharp enough to sever a blade from the hilt. Master Li is currently in turmoil, first because he had a painful experience while meditating on Wu Dan mountain, secondly because he has yet to avenge the murder of his beloved mentor Master Pen by Biya Hu Ri (Jade Fox). As a result, he decides to leave the Jiang Hu world and entrust the Green Destiny to a good friend, Bel Lai Ye. His former compatriot and love interest, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), who runs Sun Security Escort, offers to take the Green Destiny to Bel Lai Ye in Beijing and wait for Li to arrive after visiting his mentor's grave. In Beijing, Shu Lien meets Yu Shao Long (Zhang Ziyi), the daughter of recently appointed Governer Yu. That night, a thief steals the Green Destiny and gets away, despite being confronted by Shu Lien.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has quite a few plot twists that will have you wondering what's next. There are lessons to be learned from this movie, such as forgiving someone who has spited you, and learning self-control. "There are many things you can learn to do with the Green Destiny," Li Mu Bai tells another character. "But first you must learn to hold it in stillness." Even today, people wield powerful weapons, from the tongue to the tank. How often do we fail to hold our tongues in stillness?
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is rated PG-13 for martial arts violence and some sexuality. The sex scenes are few and far between. The violence is mostly kicking/punching action and swordplay, but there is a scene where a character takes a thrown bladed weapon to the forehead and another scene where a character stabs another character with a sword (although in this scene the camera is behind the stab victim).
Discussion:
1. In one part of the movie, a character uses the martial arts to attack people in a building. Why is it never right to attack people? In what ways should the martial arts be used?
2. Li Mu Bai has never professed his love for Yu Shu Lien, although he does love her. Or does he? In what ways do we see Li Mu Bai loving Shu Lien? Should love be kept hidden at any time? Why or why not?
3. Soon after we find out who Jade Fox is, we learn that she has been training a student with a stolen martial arts manual. How do we discern good teachers from bad teachers (in terms of morality)? If you were in this student's place, would you trust Jade Fox?
4. During a part in the movie, Shao Long's wedding parade is interrupted by a former lover. Does this lover really love Shao Long? Why or why not?
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