19. Yu Shu Lien Vs. Jen Yu - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
With Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, director Ang Lee and fight coordinator Yuen Wo Ping make all the right moves, using an internationally known cast of Chinese actors and crafting some of the greatest fight scenes in all of cinema. The most memorable clash in the film pits the noble Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) against the headstrong Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi). Lien may be the more skilled warrior, but Yu's possession of the unstoppable Green Destiny sword results in the destruction of numerous weapons as well as general pandemonium. It's an old cliché to compare fight scenes with ballet but this is one of the rare cases where the comparison is valid. Both of these women come from a dancing background which is evident in their grace and poise. However, credit should be given where it's due; both of these actresses performed a lot of their own fighting and did a truly remarkable job. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OxQ-2gR1DU
