There are certain movie genres which have a hard time when it comes to being defined as classics - horror and science fiction are just two which, for the most part, are overlooked in this department. Martial arts movies, widely viewed as throwaway entertainment, often find themselves victim of a similar dismissive fate. Ang Lee's epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is without doubt a martial arts movie that will avoid such a fate. A film in a similar vein to A Touch of Zen, its commitment to melodramatic character development coupled with its lush cinematography and ultra-stylish action choreography elevate this well above the standard action heroics fare of most other kung fu movies. Its broad international appeal stands as a testament to Lee's ability to uncover the universal in the culturally specific.
