Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Superbit) (UK)

Not since Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" (1972) has a Martial Arts film seen as much notoriety as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." With their very strange editing and appalling dubbing the Bruce Lee films never managed to break into the mainstream although Bruce Lee himself became a legendary figure after his early death at the age of 33.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was the right film at the right time, a film that cost $15m and Grossed $128m in the US and nearly £10m in the UK. It was a bit strange to find that people who had never had a good word for Martial Arts films suddenly became self-proclaimed genre fans after seeing this particular film.

For reasons I will not bore you with I never got round to buying the first DVD release of the film, and from various reviews it seems it failed to fully please fans (just check the comments on the picture quality on this site), due to a mediocre print. Now Columbia has included "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" as one of the first "Superbit" releases on Region 2.

For many years, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) has practiced and studied the Wudan, a form of Martial Arts known only by an elite group of warriors. For years he has also chased Jade Fox, an assassin who killed his master. But the time has come for the master warrior to settle down. He plans to give up his warrior life and as a symbol of his commitment hands over his sword to his lifelong love Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), to deliver it to a mutual friend. The sword is stolen by a mysterious cloaked intruder - who strangely is also knowledgeable in the Wudan - who flees despite Shu Lien's attempts to stop the thief.

Having had a glimpse of the thief, however, Shu Lien is certain she knows who the thief is and keeps an eye on her suspect, a young aristocrat girl, trying to escape her arranged marriage. As Li Mu Bai arrives on the scene, the two decide to find out how the girl has been able to learn Wudan Martial Arts. Their nemesis Jade Fox (Cheng Pei Pei) has long been a teacher to the young girl, making her a powerful, but unpolished warrior.

Director Ang Lee, who was best known in the UK for "Sense and Sensibility" (1995) - for which he won the 1996 BAFTA for Best Film - manages, even in an action film like this, to bring in a sensibility that is often lacking in Martial Arts films. Breaking the traditional rules of Martial Arts and Sword-fighting films, he has created a film that is more engrossing and character-driven than many of its counterparts. Where many traditional genre films are convoluted and require significant background knowledge, the narrative of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has been simplified and streamlined despite that fact that it is based on a series of Chinese novels. The result has paid off - obviously. Although many US - and I suppose some European viewers - will not understand the importance of the virtues on display or the actual scope of the Jade Fox character that makes her comment "Poison is an eight year old girl…" so much more significant.

Cinematographer Peter Pau once again pulled out all the stops in this film. The undisputed visual master of Martial Arts films once again manages to create a magnetic look for the story. Beautiful sceneries and vistas are captured in tracking shots, adding scope and depth to the images we see. Yuen Wo Ping provided his incredible talents to the production as the stunt choreographer, making the fighting scenes - or even more so the pursuit scenes - absolute highlights of the film.

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment's "Superbit" releases are targeted at high-end video and audiophiles. The presentation is of the film itself, with no extras at all. The idea is that every 'bit' of data is allocated for the video and audio presentation. As I have not seen the original version I cannot compare the two but I can only think that a new print was used because the picture quality, the striking colours, the texture of the picture (be it skin, cloth, plants, sand) and solid blacks make the whole thing as good as it gets.

The choice of sound is Mandarin DTS 5.1 and Dolby 5.1 and Dolby 5.1 English.
For some reason, on my DV88 it defaults to the DTS track with English subtitles, which is fine by me. Both tracks are good, but obviously I have a preference for DTS. The outdoor scenes are beautifully enhanced by the subtle, yet realistic use of the surround channels such as when you hear the soft wind blowing from the rear, or leafs rustling in the breeze. The frequency response of the audio track is very wide with solid bass reproduction and very clean high end. Dialogues are very well integrated and are never drowned out by sound effects, the action music or Yo-Yo Ma's hauntingly beautiful cello.

I can only assume that even on 'ordinary' kit you would notice a difference, but whether it would be a big enough difference to make you want to buy another copy I would doubt. If you do not have the film then the choice is between an excellent picture together with Dolby and DTS sound or a disc packed with extras. Mind you I could throw a spanner in and say that ALL films should be "Superbit" with extras on a separate disc.

This version of the film is a must if you loved the film and have good kit - otherwise you pays your money and take your choice.

Ps.
Columbia have made a marketing tool of the concept of "Superbit", however, other companies have released films in as good quality, but without the Fanfare. You just have to look at the Fox R2 version of "Legend", the Artificial Eye "Stalker" or "Solaris" and the New Line extended version of "Fellowship of the Ring" or even (dare I say it) the first Disney release of "Mary Poppins" which was a 'flipper'. As I have said earlier ALL films should be of as near perfect quality as possible, but how They can justify charging more for just the film, and less for a disc - or two disc set - with hours of 'extras' beats me.

A good film but very over hyped. It seems that people who have never seen a martial arts film are just jumping on the bandwagon and claiming this to be a masterpiece.
It isn`t and it`s not even original. Borrowing very heavily from superior films Once Upon A Time In China and Iron Monkey, CTHD is entertaining.
There is plenty to enjoy, superb plot, great acting, directing, editing and locations. Some of the fights are superbly choreographed. Nonetheless, if you have seen OUATIC or IM, you will not be blown away.
Don`t get me wrong. I love the film but I hate the way the media is pushing CTHD ahead of genre classics.
The DVD has a superb transfer and is well worth buying.