Thescreescore – Michelle Yeoh’s star continues to ascend, but one film remains a pinnacle of her career and the martial arts genre: Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This Oscar-winning epic, featuring breathtaking fight choreography and a sweeping romantic drama, has just been crowned the top-ranked kung-fu film of the 21st century by a prestigious New York Times poll of industry experts. While Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite claimed the overall #1 spot, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, at #16, stands alone as the highest-ranked martial arts film, a testament to its enduring impact.
The New York Times highlighted the film’s unique appeal, bridging Eastern and Western audiences with its blend of acrobatic martial arts, forbidden romance, and a richly detailed historical setting. The poll excerpt vividly recalls iconic scenes: the unforgettable showdown between Yeoh’s swordswoman and Zhang Ziyi’s cunning thief, and the balletic sword fight between Chow Yun-fat’s warrior and Ziyi amidst a bamboo forest. These sequences, along with The Matrix, redefined action cinema for years to come.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon‘s success isn’t just critical acclaim; it was a box-office phenomenon, shattering barriers for international films in the American market. Beyond its Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, it garnered four additional awards and a Best Picture nomination. Its impact resonates even today, proving its place as one of the most influential films of the past quarter-century. The fact that it surpasses even Yeoh’s recent Best Picture winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once (#77 on the NYT list), further solidifies its legendary status.
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This isn’t just a kung-fu film; it’s a sweeping love story, a dreamlike fantasy, and a captivating period drama, all seamlessly interwoven. The film’s enduring brilliance hasn’t diminished; it remains a cinematic masterpiece that deserves revisiting, a reminder of the power of storytelling and breathtaking action. This new accolade from the New York Times is a well-deserved recognition of a film that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Source: The New York Times. Related: A new Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon series is in the works at Amazon, promising to continue the legacy of this iconic film. Check out thescreescore.com for more details.
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