One thing I hate about movies in general is all the hype. Sometimes you'll here so much about a given movie before you've had a chance to see it, that expectations are far too high. Such is the case with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed this film, but I think I was a bit too excited to see it, because I don't feel it is the true classic that many others have claimed it to be. I will say this. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a magical experience, and it's the type of film that really takes the audience on a journey where they've never been before.

There is a lot going on in this picture, and it would be hard to divulge parts of the plot without giving things away. So let me just say that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a mesmerizing martial arts picture that also deals in heavy drama, passionate romance, unrequited love, and heartbreaking tragedy.

The film was directed by Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm), a film-maker not usually associated with this type of work. Rather than make a standard action picture, Lee has opted to make his free flowing, spectacularly choreographed fight sequences secondary. This is a film loaded with character and heart. It's also a picture that celebrates women. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon introduces us to strong female characters, and that really sets it apart from other pictures in this genre.

Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is full of rich performances. Chow Yun Fat has never been better as a warrior who seems to stumble a bit in the eyes of love. He can be fierce, but at heart he is a gentle soul. Sadly, Fat hasn't had much success picking decent American projects, but that's fine because movies like this prove that the guy is not only terrific in martial arts, but one fine actor as well.

Michelle Yeoh is also effective as a strong willed and very respectable woman in charge of a sort of security agency. The film really belongs to the stunning Zhang Ziyi as a young woman taking part in an arranged marriage. With all her complexities, she's just a teenager rebelling against rules she doesn't believe in. Of course true love plays a factor as well.

Holding this epic fantasy together, is the considerable talent of Lee, his staff of writers, and a slew of other technical advisors. This is a picture in which the audience must just let go of reality and let the film-makers take them away. If you're willing to do that, you will buy into this extraordinary adventure that features fighting sequences that easily rival the ones in The Matrix.

With it's breathtaking landscapes, flying warriors, and themes of love, this is an original film very worth seeing. It's a picture that begs for a sequel. These are characters I would really like to see more of echoing the feeling I had when I first saw Star Wars. With Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ang Lee hasn't merely paid homage to the martial arts picture. He's reinvented the genre. This is certainly the highlight of his career and easily one of the best films of the year.