--- title: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon" critics_score: 89 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000): what the critics said Critics' score 89 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is strongly positive, with praise centred on how Ang Lee brings romantic feeling into the martial arts action. Most critics admire the grace and invention of the fight choreography, treating the combat as part of the characters’ emotional lives rather than a break from them. The landscape photography and visual craft also draw praise, while Zhang Ziyi receives particular attention among a cast admired for both restraint and physical energy. The reviews differ more in emphasis than in judgement, and the supplied summaries contain no substantial objections. The New York Times stresses the comedy of manners, intrigue and playful silliness; Variety finds intelligence and humour within the melodrama. Elsewhere, the emphasis falls on frustrated love, the handling of genre conventions and the connection between action and character. Enthusiasm varies in degree, but there is no clear dissent from the film’s combination of romance and combat. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 4/4. 22 December 2000. The critic praises the film as the most exhilarating martial arts movie seen, highlighting its physical grace, depth, poetry in the story, and the human elements especially the unrealized love between characters. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-2000) ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises Ang Lee's martial arts epic as a transcendent blend of dazzling wire-work action sequences and genuine emotional depth in its characters' romantic entanglements. It singles out the stunning lead performance by Zhang Ziyi and the film's visual craft for particular acclaim. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2001. The critic calls the film a masterpiece and a fantastic start to the year, praising its electrifying action sequences and sweet romantic elements wrapped in fairy-tale innocence. He highlights the sublime fight choreography and the film's reconnection of the martial arts genre with decorum and romance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/jan/05/1) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2001. The review hails the film as the first 'martial arthouse' movie that successfully merges high-flying kung fu action with arthouse sensibilities without compromise. It particularly praises the seamless integration of fight scenes into character development and the breathtaking cinematography of China's landscapes. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2000. Festival review. Ang Lee's martial-arts epic delivers jaw-droppingly exhilarating action sequences and a sweeping romantic story with a strong feminist backbone. The cast, especially Zhang Ziyi, brings both quiet beauty and considerable firepower to the film. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-review-movie-2000-1258293/) ## The New York Times — Elvis Mitchell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2000. The critic describes it as a soulful action film that is more fun than it has a right to be, noting how Ang Lee stages it like a comedy of manners with romance, intrigue, and rousing silliness. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/08/movies/film-review-master-the-fire-of-flashing-steel-the-grace-of-autumn-leaves.html) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2000. Festival review. The critic calls it an elaborate and buoyant production that succeeds as the Matrix of traditional martial arts films, applying intelligence and humor to a melodramatic story topped with stupendous combat sequences. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-2-1200462182/) ## Screen Daily 18 May 2000. Festival review. The critic finds Ang Lee's first foray into the martial arts genre remarkably assured and graceful. They highlight the elegant fight sequences, strong performances and respectful yet fresh handling of genre conventions. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon/402425.article) ## Time Out — TCh 26 September 2014. The critic praises Ang Lee's rich, romantic take on the wuxia genre as a feast for the senses. They single out the inventive choreography and graceful fight sequences for particular acclaim. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon) ## Collider — Elisa Guimarães Rating A. 17 February 2023. The critic praises the film as a pulpy, melodramatic tale of love and revenge that avoids boredom despite its pace, highlighting its pointed humor and emotional depth. The never-fulfilled romance and themes of freedom and constraint are singled out as particularly effective. [Read the review](https://collider.com/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-review/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2001. Ang Lee choreographs breathtaking action sequences in this exceptionally beautiful film, turning martial arts into something disciplined and balletic rather than merely violent. The visual sweep, romantic symbolism, and performances by Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi are singled out for their conviction and originality. [Read the review](http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon.md