2000, 1 hr 59 min., Rated PG-13.�Dir: Ang Lee. Cast: Michelle Yeoh (Shu Lien), Chow Yun Fat (Li Mu Bai), Zhang Ziyi (Jen), Chang Chen (Lo).

Imagine the ancient philosophy and mystical religious-like Jedi beliefs and lightsaber duels of Star Wars plus the action sequences of The Matrix. Now, place it in China, circa one or two hundred years ago during the Ching Dynasty, and you've got Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Of course, those two movies borrowed the wisdom and action from Oriental flicks long ago, so maybe the method is coming full circle.

Fighting on rooftops, treetops, training dens, flying through the air, walking on water and on walls looks cool and I can see why the movie was the winner of the Audience Award at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival. Crouching Tiger could definitely be a fan favorite among a group of filmlovers.

Still, the flying through the air just looks silly and made me giggle all the same, as was the guy sitting to my left. I don't know why, maybe it's because the film was a more serious picture than The Matrix or Star Wars. Maybe it is because we're used to seeing films from the East break new ground in fighting technique, at least Jet Li and Jackie Chan are doing their own, somewhat realistic stunts as opposed to mystical jumps that Carl Lewis would be jealous of.

When the characters stay grounded, though, and duke it out the sequences are most impressive. Chow Yun Fat (Anna and the King), Michelle Yeoh and newcomer Zhang Ziyi can move their bodies with coordination and speed unseen since Hillary Clinton removed files from Vince Foster's office. Speaking of girl power, I especially enjoyed the scene where Jen (Ziyi) takes on dozens of men who seek to test their mettle against this new and mysterious Master, as she laughs at their macho names like Iron Arm.

But this is not just an action flick. There's a little bit for everyone, including drama, romance and mysticism that drives the picture much more strongly than the action, and thus makes it a worthwhile experience. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the story of two women (Ziyi and Yeoh) on very different paths, one trying to break free from the constraints of being the governor's daughter, the other a security expert and arbiter of honor and justice who is trying to break the bounds of culture and express her love. This romantic thread takes hold in the second half of the film, where the characters come to grips with the fact that "even great heroes can be idiots when it comes to love." Jen's lover, Lo (Chang Chen), a.k.a. Dark Cloud, is a lovable rogue (aren't they all?) who leads a ragtag band of outlaws out in the desert West (west China, that is).

The true backbone of the film, though, is Yeoh. Her style and grace on screen is unparalleled with the other characters, and her strength carries the picture. I was very impressed with her acting talents, something I have not seen before, especially since my only previous experience of seeing her was the Bond flick Tomorrow Never Dies.

Even still, and I know I'm harping on this too much, for those of you sci-fi fans like me, when you watch Crouching Tiger you can't help but notice ties to Star Wars: Jen seeks excitement, she gets it with several swordfights while dressed in all black, moving stealthily as a phantom menace in the governor's palace. Like Anakin, she outgrows her Master and becomes stronger and a better fighter, and Li is afraid she'll become a Poisoned Dragon (turn to the Dark Side) if she's influenced by Jade Fox without a good role model.

Li (Fat)'s sword, called Green Destiny, is a metaphor for the entire movie (the message: be strong yet supple). The precious metal that seems flexible rings instead of deadly force over four centuries. The blood washes off easily, yet it remains tainted. Jen sees it as source of invincible power that in part sets in motion the events of the picture.

Subtitle warning! The film is in Mandarin (the movie's title across the Pacific is Wu hu zang long), so for those who hate to read while watching a movie I just wanted to give notice. Also, you have plenty of time to wait, since the film doesn't open nationwide until mid-January.