Directed by the legendary Woo-Ping Yuen from a screenplay by The Forbidden Kingdom scribe John Fusco, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny is an epic return to the world of the original film directed by Ang Lee way back in 2000. Before looking at the film and its plot and players, we have to say that there is literally beauty in each and every frame of this “Western” Asian drama.
Yuen and cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel manage to make this second journey into Qing China look beyond sumptuous, as each set piece and scene almost bleeds with enough colour to drown the viewer, yet, does not distract from the story or action. The use of light and careful melding of CG into each frame allows this offering to feel magical and almost Shakespearean.
Casting Donnie Yen to play opposite the iconic Michelle Yeoh is almost serendipitous it almost seems pre-ordained. What with Yen recently killing it in the Ip Man trilogy. Yen is already a sensation in Hong Kong. He is an action star and stunt performer. The timing is fortuitous to say the least.
Yeoh reprises her role as Yu Shu Lien. She is a survivor from the first film along with Sir Te. Te is portrayed by a different actor this time around. New arrivals, in terms of actors portraying Chinese martial arts heroes are truly global. Yen plays Silent Wolf. A man thought to have been killed by Lee’s character.
The story
The plot entails protecting the “sword of destiny” as whoever wields the blade is un-defeatable. Dai wants the sword and Lien, along with her former love Silent Wolf, fight to keep it out of Hades’ hands.
Harry Shum Jr. (who plays a rather larger than life magician in The Shadowhunters on Freeform) plays TieFang. A chap playing on the wrong team at the start of the film. Hades Dai, played by Jason Scott Lee, runs the “wrong team.” He makes a pretty impressive villain despite not having too much screen time till the very end of the film. Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo makes her debut as Snow Vase, the female warrior who shares a complex history with TieFang.
American Actress JuJu Chan is also from across the pond. She is a real-life martial arts master and JuJu has been called the new Michelle Yeoh. She is also compared to Bruce Lee, who plays Silver Dart Shi.
The wirework is spot on and the fight scenes choreographed with style, grace and, in the tavern fight scene, comedic overtones. Silent Wolf goes to a tavern to place an ad for soldiers to join his army. After a group of thug-like mercenaries try to force Yen’s character to take them on, the five heroes who do join Silent Wolf step in.
It Works
Each hero states their name and where they are best known. After each specialist finishes the last “Turtle Ma” gives his name and says that he is well-known, “in this tavern.” The fight itself is beautifully set up. It is breathtaking and funny. Even the tavern’s female proprietor takes part in the battle.
On the opposite end of the action scale, the battle between TieFang, Silent Wolf and Iron Crow (Roger Yuan) on the frozen lake is balletic in scope and presentation. The presentation is a perfect blend of ice skating and martial arts as never seen before. It is, much like the rest of the film’s battles; beautiful and breathtaking.
Westerns
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Sword of Destiny has elements that feel distinctly like an American western. There is even a touch of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Which was a homage of sorts to the westerns of John Ford. This connection is apparent in certain scenes. Whether this is down to the screenplay or Woo-Ping Yuen knowing how to appeal to western audiences is unclear.
The film was made to appeal outside the usual Hong Kong cinematic demographic. The Netflix film was released simultaneously on the streaming website and in cinemas. There are versions in English and in Cantonese, according to the streaming site. Rather interestingly, if one watches the “Cantonese” version it is apparent that this too has been dubbed. Just like the English version.
Regardless of which version one watches, the film delivers. Just in terms of entertainment, action, romance and the spirit of fighting and dying for honor and loyalty.
This is a real 5 star film that is epic in scope and presentation. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Sword of Destiny presents a fantasy version of martial arts that feels real yet magical. Just the fight sequences alone make this well worth watching. It is currently streaming on Netflix.
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