Klarinet Archive - Posting 001403.txt from 2000/12

From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: [kl] Crouching Lion, Hidden Dragon
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 03:16:07 -0500

I need to say something about this film because of the music.

Parts of the script are terribly disjointed and trivial (by Western
standards, at least), and the subtitles --- it's spoken in Chinese ---
are a hassle. But the film includes some cinematography and special
effects that are pure poetry rather than being the usual
'kung-fu-chop-em-up' that you expect from a martial arts film.
So even if there were no music, I would recommend the film.

The music is special. The couple sitting next to me were
sarcastic clods who couldn't keep their yaps shut for 5 minutes, and
there was plenty of nonsense in the film to be sarcastic about. But
the music kept me glued to my seat even as the closing credits rolled
by, and I couldn't force myself to budge when the couple next to me
clambered past while muttering predictable condemnations.
The very last credit was: "Solos by Yo-Yo Mas." No wonder I
couldn't force myself to leave before the last note!! Who would've
thought that I was going to listen to Yo Yo Mas for significant part of
two hours while watching a martial arts film? I can understand why he
played. The composer did himself or herself proud.

Be prepared for a mixed bag, but the film is unquestionably worth
seeing and hearing.

-Bill

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