Michelle Yeoh leads an Oscar-winning kung-fu movie that has recently been named the genre’s best of the 21st century. Yeoh’s movie career began with her amazing roles in martial arts films, like Police Story 3: Supercop alongside Jackie Chan. While she has moved away from the genre later in her career, one title remains among her most acclaimed movies.
There have been some great recent kung-fu movies, but few from the 21st century have matched the impact of Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The film stars Yeoh, alongside Chow Yun-fat and Zhang Ziyi, in a story set in Imperial China. It went on to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
25 years after its release, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has been named as one of the best movies of the 21st century. The new poll from The New York Times compiled the rankings based on votes from industry figures. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite topped the list at #1, but Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the highest-ranked kung-fu movie at #16.
The excerpt reads:
When Ang Lee debuted this wuxia masterpiece starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat and Zhang Ziyi, the film appealed to Western and Eastern audiences alike, a rarity at the time, and demolished box-office records. This action drama marries acrobatic, aerodynamic martial arts with repressed love and forbidden futures. Seared in memory: the showdown between Yeoh’s swordswoman and the thief played by Zhang using a multitude of weapons, and the balletic sword fight between Chow’s warrior and Zhang in a bamboo forest.
What The Ranking Means For Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s Legacy
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Was One Of The Most Impactful Movies Of The 2000s
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon‘s ranking in the NYT’s new list is an impressive achievement for the movie, but also not an entirely surprising one. The film has been hailed by many as one of the best movies of the last 25 years, and its legacy continues to thrive decades after its release.
Along with its Oscar win for Best Foreign Language Film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon also won four other trophies and was nominated for Best Picture. It was also a box office success in America, breaking through the barriers that had previously limited many international films from reaching this audience.
However, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon‘s ranking so high is a terrific showcase for the kung-fu genre. The film uses two beloved action stars, Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-fat, as well as spectacular kung-fu action sequences, but delivers a movie that is far more complex and moving than audiences might expect from the genre.
Our Take On Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s Ranking
The Brilliance Of The Movie Hasn’t Diminished
There might be some surprise in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon outranking Michelle Yeoh’s Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once, which is #77 on the list. However, it is hard to deny that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon‘s legacy is one of the most impressive of the last 25 years.
It is the highest-rated kung-fu movie on the NYT list, but it is a film that defies genres to deliver an unforgettable experience. It is a sweeping love story, a dream-like fantasy, and an engrossing period drama. Of course, there is some stunning action, which, alongside The Matrix, redefined fight sequences for years to come.
While aspects of the NYT list of the best movies of the 21st century can certainly be debated, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon remains one of the most impactful films of the last 25 years. With this new high acclaim, perhaps more viewers will revisit it and discover how well it has aged.
Source: The New York Times